Views from the Choir Loft

Andrew Leung • Article Archive

Andrew Leung graduated from the sacred music program of Franciscan University of Steubenville, majored in vocal performance. He has also studied organ, choral conducting and Gregorian chant with world-class musicians. Prior to returning to Hong Kong, he served as a parish music director in Atlanta, and later as the organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral of Macau, China. Andrew is currently the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers and music director at Our Lady of China Church. He is also an artist and vocal coach at the Paul Phoenix Academy.—Read full biography (with photographs).

Andrew Leung · December 21, 2015

Sing Like the Angels

We can learn from the best choir, the Holy Angels!

Andrew Leung · December 17, 2015

The “O Antiphons” Begin Tonight

Starting tonight, the “O Antiphons” are prayed at Vespers. A recording of James MacMillan’s “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel” is also included in this post.

Andrew Leung · December 10, 2015

Videos • Popes open the Holy Door

Two old videos of the Opening of the Holy Door

Andrew Leung · December 10, 2015

Understanding the Sacred

Reflection on “Understanding the Sacred” based on two events happened in Vatican this week

Andrew Leung · December 3, 2015

Video • The Voice of St. John Paul the Great

Two videos of John Paul II’s singing

Andrew Leung · December 3, 2015

CMAA Winter Sacred Music Workshop

Registration is now open for the CMAA Winter Sacred Music Workshop in Houston

Andrew Leung · November 19, 2015

What can Men Do Against such Reckless Hate?

“This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.” —Leonard Bernstein

Andrew Leung · November 12, 2015

Sistine Chapel Choir has made Great Improvement

The Sistine Chapel Choir is sounding like a British Boys’ Choir in their new CD

Andrew Leung · November 5, 2015

Active Participation in the Traditional Latin Mass

2 Churches demonstrate active participation in the Tridentine Mass.

Andrew Leung · October 28, 2015

An American Requiem

A Funeral Guide for helping Catholic pastors, choirmasters and families in America honor our beloved dead.

Andrew Leung · October 22, 2015

4 Choral Combinations that would Help Develop You Music Program

4 combinations of voices that would help develop your parish music program.

Andrew Leung · October 15, 2015

My New Assignment—Part 2

An update on my new assignment.

Andrew Leung · October 1, 2015

Mass in the Ancient Form at a Basilica

The Traditional Latin Mass is being offered regularly at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Chattanooga.

Andrew Leung · September 28, 2015

Papal Liturgies – Day 6 of the Papal Visit

Pope Francis celebrated the Closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families on the last day of his visit.

Andrew Leung · September 26, 2015

Papal Liturgies – Day 4 & 5 of the Papal Visit

2 Papal Masses in New York and Philadelphia.

Luis Martínez Must Go!

Sevilla Cathedral (entry dated 13 December 1564): The chapter orders Luis Martínez, a cathedral chaplain, to stay away from the choirbook-stand when the rest of the singers gather around it to sing polyphony—the reason being that “he throws the others out of tune.” [Excerpt from “The Life of Father Francisco Guerrero.”]

—Jeff Ostrowski

Urgent! • We Desperately Need Funds!

A few days ago, the president of Corpus Christi Watershed posted this urgent appeal for funds. Please help us make sure we’re never forced to place our content behind a paywall. We feel it’s crucial that 100% of our content remains free to everyone. We’re a tiny 501(c)3 public charity, entirely dependent upon the generosity of small donors. We have no endowment and no major donors. We run no advertisements and have no savings. We beg you to consider donating $4.00 per month. Thank you!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Booklet of Eucharistic Hymns” (16 pages)

I was asked to create a booklet for my parish to use during our CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION on 22 June 2025. Would you be willing to look over the DRAFT BOOKLET (16 pages) I came up with? I tried to include a variety of hymns: some have a refrain; some are in major, others in minor; some are metered, others are plainsong; some are in Spanish, some are in Latin, but most are in English. Normally, we’d use the Brébeuf Hymnal—but we can’t risk having our congregation carry those heavy books all over the city to various churches.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Pope Pius XII Hymnal?

Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Hybrid” Chant Notation?

Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Antiphons Don’t Match?

A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).

—Corpus Christi Watershed