Applause at Mass

[Sarabande]

I led an ensemble for a special Mass for an ad hoc congregation yesterday and got a rousing round of applause at the end of Mass which we were NOT seeking and which put me in the awkward position of being gracious about well-meant thanks delivered in a way that I would have preferred it wasn’t and that I don’t want to encourage.

But it WASN’T MY FAULT. :crying:

:console: There you are. I understand. I only pray that others who aren’t musicians would also come to understand that many musicians aren’t seeking or encouraging applause and praise from others at mass, and not be so quick to assume the worst of us.

 

[Cristiano]

Yesterday we had a happy-clappy crowd. They first clapped when some high-school kids from a different confession were being introduced as observers during mass because of their class on comparative religions and then someone tried a one more round of applause for some other stupid reason but that one died really fast.

I must have made some really bad faces because a catechist that was sitting next to me almost laughed. You must know that just before Mass I was telling her that I do not want to be a liturgical fascists but I want to make sure that our Sunday students understand what Mass is truly about.

 

[grandfather]

Yesterday we had a happy-clappy crowd. They first clapped when some high-school kids from a different confession were being introduced as observers during mass because of their class on comparative religions and then someone tried a one more round of applause for some other stupid reason but that one died really fast.

I must have made some really bad faces because a catechist that was sitting next to me almost laughed. You must know that just before Mass I was telling her that I do not want to be a liturgical fascists but I want to make sure that our Sunday students understand what Mass is truly about.

(old joke) What is the difference between a terrorist and a liturgical director?

 

[rpp]

(old joke) What is the difference between a terrorist and a liturgical director?

At least the terrorist puts people out of their misery.

 

[grandfather]

At least the terrorist puts people out of their misery.

Good response. The original answer:

You can negotiate with a terrorist.

 

[sphilomena]

Above quote from Pope Benedict’s book, Spirit of the Liturgy

This is one of the quotes I was thinking of, glad you found it. That’s it in a nutshell - another instance of bringing the profane (worldly) into the sacred.

 

[patches]

the Holy Mass is NOT a “show” and should always be treated with the proper respect. you are suppost to be paying respect to the holy creator.

I couldn’t agree more, Father. I am the music director at my parish. and I am extremely uncomfortable when people applaud the choir. I try to remind our musicians and singers that it’s not about us, and if we need it to be, we’re in the wrong part of the music business --we should try our skills out on Broadway. In addition to applause being improper when the amazing mysteries of our faith are celebrated, it is also a temptation for the performers to become prideful. When we sing, we’re doing nothing more than giving God the praise due Him. If it happens to be beautiful, well, He gets credit for that too!

If someone is moved by a piece of music to the point of wanting express it to the choir, I much prefer they write a note. This lets us know of their appreciation without drawing undue and improper attention. Of course, they could also recommend a raise for the musical director.

 

[Guitar]

it is also a temptation for the performers to become prideful.

Personally I don’t find it so at all - I just wish it didn’t happen!

If someone is moved by a piece of music to the point of wanting express it to the choir, I much prefer they write a note. This lets us know of their appreciation without drawing undue and improper attention. Of course, they could also recommend a raise for the musical director.

Or buy you a pint.

 

[Sarabande]

I couldn’t agree more, Father. I am the music director at my parish. and I am extremely uncomfortable when people applaud the choir. I try to remind our musicians and singers

Awwww… come on, there are singers who are also musicians. Some of us can actually read music. I know we used to the singer jokes in college… haha

that it’s not about us, and if we need it to be, we’re in the wrong part of the music business --we should try our skills out on Broadway. In addition to applause being improper when the amazing mysteries of our faith are celebrated, it is also a temptation for the performers to become prideful. When we sing, we’re doing nothing more than giving God the praise due Him. If it happens to be beautiful, well, He gets credit for that too!

If someone is moved by a piece of music to the point of wanting express it to the choir, I much prefer they write a note. This lets us know of their appreciation without drawing undue and improper attention. Of course, they could also recommend a raise for the musical director.

Yay!!! Another musician expressing what I believe most sacred musicians feel and believe.

I agree with you - notes of appreciation or just a word of thanks is something more appreciated by most church musicians than the applause. I find the ones who tend to be more prideful are those who have made performing during mass a “performance” and a place to showcase their abilities (or lack thereof). BUT that kind of person tends to be in the minority.

Both of my voice teachers (neither of which are Catholic) have always taught that a person’s talent as a singer or any other kind of musician is a gift from God and He can take it away as quickly as He gave it. Humility and Love were the two major things that open a person up when singing. If you have too much pride and vanity while doing it, you don’t really express a prayer to God whether in sacred or secular forms, nor can you truly sing from your soul. Or as one of them used to tell me, “When you think you’re good, you’re dead.”

 

[patches]

Yay!!! Another musician expressing what I believe most sacred musicians feel and believe.

at least you didn’t call me a singer

 

[welchy]

How many here have a favorite football or basketball team?

Think about the excitement that you have when you are lucky enough to go to the game. When they score what do you do? Think of the level of excitement that we have when our team scores !!

Think of the adrenaline!!!

Now, compare that to when we say Alleluia at mass.

The fact of the matter is that it’s not even close. And it’s upside down and we need to use our imaginations and our mind and recognize how great Thou art!

Only then will we jump and shout like we do when on a TD!

 

[patches]

Personally I don’t find it so at all - I just wish it didn’t happen!

Or buy you a pint.

knowing the raise I’m likely to get, I’ll take the pint!

 

[Sarabande]

knowing the raise I’m likely to get, I’ll take the pint!

Ok… Let all us musicians go out for a pint. Guitar, we’ve been talking about doing that. I’ll take you out too, Patches, along with Guitar.

 

[Sarabande]

Yay!!! Another musician expressing what I believe most sacred musicians feel and believe.

at least you didn’t call me a singer

haha! I know… I always felt “singer” made me seem like I was someone with a voice, but no brain, even though I’ve studied piano and music since I was 4. So, I always make sure I call them musicians or by their voice type like you would an organist, violinist, guitarist.

 

[patches]

Ok… Let all us musicians go out for a pint. Guitar, we’ve been talking about doing that. I’ll take you out too, Patches, along with Guitar.

…now if the NPM functioned like this, they’d have lots more members…

 

[Ailina]

It doesn’t bother me. I never realized it was an issue until coming to this website. I wonder sometimes if people are becoming too much like the rule-bound Pharisees that Jesus rebuked. I think people can be pious and still clap, especially if the priest has made some kind of major announcement at the end of the mass. Maybe that’s just my perception, though.

 

[patches]

It doesn’t bother me. I never realized it was an issue until coming to this website. I wonder sometimes if people are becoming too much like the rule-bound Pharisees that Jesus rebuked. I think people can be pious and still clap, especially if the priest has made some kind of major announcement at the end of the mass. Maybe that’s just my perception, though.

I see your point. But some rules bind, others ground us in the truth. I think the truth in the case of applause for the choir is that if the musicians/singers are lending their talents to the celebration of mass for the right reasons, they will naturally be uncomfortable being applauded as if it were a “performance.” I don’t think it necessarily a big deal on a special occasion once in a while, but I think if it gets to the point where it’s almost expected, that’s not a good thing at all for anyone. I agree with you that applause for major announcements shouldn’t be cause for concern.

 

[FrCorey]

Yay!!! Another musician expressing what I believe most sacred musicians feel and believe.

at least you didn’t call me a singer

and Wedding Singers scare me.

 

[benedictgal]

and Wedding Singers scare me.

I suppose you would cringe if Adam Sandler came and sang at one of the Nuptial Masses you celebrate!

We had one such thing happen (female Adam Sandler). We joked that the couple should have paid her double not to sing.

 

[patches]

and Wedding Singers scare me.

Is it my imagination, or is there always a cousin who’s
a “very experienced singer” (karaoke), and understands
the proper role of music at a Catholic wedding (a springboard to fame and fortune) Oh yeah,… and who can’t understand why “The Wind Beneath My Wings” isn’t going to fly. . .