Bad Catholic Mass music

[Sarabande]

Most people understand the Douay-Rheims and KJV. Basically, these old hymns use the style of English found in those Bibles. This particular hymn you quoted references Isaiah 34:5-6.

It’s almost like reading Shakespeare. Once you’ve read a couple of his plays, you understand the vocabulary used without needing to “translate”. We had to start reading in 7th and 8th grades. I started reading it on my own when I was 10 and then studied it more in high school and college. But even after just two or three plays you understand the language. Then again, I was always fascinated by that time period, so I can understand someone not into Shakespeare totally missing the point, at no fault of his/her own.

But the language in those hymns aren’t nearly as “complicated” as what you would read in a Shakespearean play or a hand-written letter from that time period. It’s pretty simple to understand. But I agree, there shouldn’t be a steady diet of it. On the other hand, I’ve always found that the dumbing down was much more insulting than the other way around. It always seemed like that they didn’t think we had the brains or the “sophistication” to understand or appreciate the other kind of sacred art or sacred music. I don’t say this just as an adult looking back, but also as a child and feeling that way. And no one needs any kind of sophistication or a certain level of spiritual depth to appreciate, like or understand them. That’s the error that some people make about so called “high-brow” art. It may not do much for some people, but for others, it may even work as a tool to help bring them to that next level of spiritual enlightenment, especially if they are more sensual in their journey of spiritual growth.

Some of the children’s hymns were nice and I enjoyed them as a child, but it always seemed strange to me that we were not given more. Depending on the kind of mass, there should be a good mix to ease people into re-learning or re-exposing. It would be sensory overload if you tried to change things all at once and could seriously backfire. But there are churches out there who have been doing this for years and those congregations are ready to take new steps.

 

[THutch04]

Heh, I remember growing up and instead of learning children’s songs, we learned the hymns (that was literally ALL we would sing, and every verse too). I think most people were able to understand the language, and I’d say Catholics on the whole would be able to understand old hymns.

 

[lak611]

Heh, I remember growing up and instead of learning children’s songs, we learned the hymns (that was literally ALL we would sing, and every verse too). I think most people were able to understand the language, and I’d say Catholics on the whole would be able to understand old hymns.

I have read the Douay-Rheims and KJV Bibles all the way through. I was not confused. I do not see why Catholics could not understand. My grandmother only had a eight-grade education, but when she died, nobody inherited her Bible. It was falling apart because she read it so much. She understood the Douay-Rheims Bible, so she also understood the classic hymns. There is no reason why the average adult Catholic would not understand the classic hymns or the classic Bible.

 

[Teeliumtrozzle]

I never heard offensive music in church…I dont see how a Hymn could be offensive… The important thing is it makes God happy.I like all Hymns, from ‘A Mighty fFortress is our God’ to ‘Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.’

 

[Cat]

You know, I know how to do bacterial cultures and identify bacteria and perform susceptibility testing.

I don’t know why everyone else can’t do this, too.

I can write novels. I’m sure everyone else can, too.

My daughters figure skate–everyone can do it!​

C’mon everyone. The argument that “I can do it, therefore everyone else can do it” is incredibly wrong and illogical. ** You can’t use yourself to prove things about other people**. You just can’t.

I write, and I will unashamedly admit that I don’t understand the words to the hymns that I posted!

If you do, wow. You’re smart! Wow.

But I don’t understand those words, especially while singing them and reading music at the same time.

I know for a fact that many other people wouldn’t understand those words, either. A lot of people don’t even understand “Puff the Magic Dragon.” (I’m one of those–I insist that it’s just a sweet story about a dragon and a little boy named Jackie Paper.)

I like to be intellectually stimulated from time to time, but like I said, I would give up if I never understood any of the words to the church hymns.

 

[Sarabande]

You know, I know how to do bacterial cultures and identify bacteria and perform susceptibility testing.

I don’t know why everyone else can’t do this, too.

I can write novels. I’m sure everyone else can, too.

My daughters figure skate–everyone can do it!

Everyone CAN do most things with practice, hard work and a little determination. Being able to read English (IF it is your mother tongue or have been learning it as a child as a second language) is a lot easier than knowing how to figure skate or writing a novel. You don’t need a college education, special training or an inate talent to do it. And at least you don’t have to know how to balance yourself on the ice.

C’mon everyone. The argument that “I can do it, therefore everyone else can do it” is incredibly wrong and illogical. ** You can’t use yourself to prove things about other people**. You just can’t.

I write, and I will unashamedly admit that I don’t understand the words to the hymns that I posted!

But you are using yourself to prove that other people wouldn’t be able to do it only because you feel that you ‘can’t’. (I’m sure you can, though. ) Just as you believe that there are many people who wouldn’t understand the words to those hymns, there are just as many people and people in your group who do and/or have the capacity to comprehend.

If you do, wow. You’re smart! Wow.

Although I don’t always agree with your posts, I usually enjoy and respect them, Cat, because you usually tend to have a level of respect in them. But there wasn’t any need for this remark. You don’t need to be “smart” to understand the words to the hymns you posted. The people who say that they or their 8th grade educated grandmothers could understand those texts were not trying to say, “Look at me! I can understand it. I’m soooo smart.” They were just trying to say that it isn’t as difficult as you would think, especially when you continuously read words like that. If you have the right people encouraging those to keep perservering - and it doesn’t need to be in a classroom - the result can be amazing. I’ve seen it first hand with my students when I was teaching music in choir/classroom settings. Even with adults - have belief in them and they CAN do it. Yes, I agree with you that it does take time, but patience is always important. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Hahahaha!

But I don’t understand those words, especially while singing them and reading music at the same time.

You seem to be an intelligent lady. I’m fairly certain that if you read/sing enough of these hymns, you’d be able to understand it. It’s not that they’re all intellectually stimulating either. They are only poetic words and some of that text is just beautifully written to work as a painting with words. Some have nothing to do with being intellectual - so to speak. To some people it may come very quickly. To others it may not, but it doesn’t mean they should just give up after two or three tries. Don’t give up on yourself so easily. You are a writer. As a writer, I’m sure you’ve had to or chose to read literature and poetry from varying periods and can probably comprehend most of it. It’s the same as reading the texts to those hymns or reading certain translations of the Bible.

God bless.

 

[Cat]

Sarabande, no offense intended when I said, “You’re smart!” I meant it. What is offensive about being called intelligent?

BTW, the average American reads at a 6th grade level. That’s what the newspapers are written in–6th grade English.

What I don’t get is the objection to simple words, plain speaking, and everyday language that we can all relate to.

What is wrong with this anyway?!! I can’t believe that people object to this and use adjectives like “puerile” and “bad.”

What’s the most popular Christmas song of all time?

“White Christmas.”

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white.”

It’s simple. It’s beautiful. It’s touching. For those of us who live up North, it hits us right in the heart. And it’s more popular every year. I could listen to it a thousand times (and I probably do every Christmas, since it’s so popular).

Sure, I like Christmas songs like “Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming” and “Light the Torch, Jeannette Isabella.”

But I like the simple songs, too.

Simplicity is an art in and of itself. The “IKEA” furniture stores make a lot of money selling “plain” furniture because many of us simply don’t prefer complex lines and fabrics.

I personally think that one of the greatest hymns ever is “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so, Little ones to Him belong, they are weak, but He is strong.”

I just don’t understand this snubbing of plain language and simple songs from several people on this thread. It seems like snobbery to me.

I realize that it’s probably just a longing for “high” language and art. As I have said several times on this and other threads, I have no objection when churches use “high” music during Mass (or non-Catholic worship services).

But I DO object strongly when the entire Mass week after week is turned into a Music Literature class or a Concert Hall. It’s church, and most of there are regular folks, and yes, we want to be lifted up to heaven with sublime and esoteric songs. But we also want to be walking along here on earth with a good song that actually meets us right where we are in our lives.

 

[Sarabande]

Sarabande, no offense intended when I said, “You’re smart!” I meant it. What is offensive about being called intelligent?

Amazing how the written word can be interpreted when you don’t see the facial expression or body movements. Thanks for being clear on that. My interpretation was that of sarcasm, but now I understand otherwise.

BTW, the average American reads at a 6th grade level. That’s what the newspapers are written in–6th grade English.

Oh, yes, I fully understand that. I studied both music (privately and in college) and journalism in university and had been writing and playing piano/singing for as long as I can remember. My actual official degree is in “Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising” even though I was doing both music and writing. We were instructed to write articles at a 7th and 8th grade level. So, I totally understand and know how to do that. I also know how to write in the flowery, more poetic style of George Elliot and Charlotte Bronte and even tried my hand writing in Elizabethan English - only for fun. One of the reasons why I didn’t stay in journalism and communications was that I became bored with it once I got out into the real world. It wasn’t enough for me, but also because music was truly my calling. Novel writing and short-story writing on the other hand is incredibly stimulating, for me at least. But I’m the kind that can only place all my energy and focus on one thing, so music won out. I’ll still write for my own pleasure, though.

What I don’t get is the objection to simple words, plain speaking, and everyday language that we can all relate to.

What is wrong with this anyway?!! I can’t believe that people object to this and use adjectives like “puerile” and “bad.”

You’re right. There isn’t anything wrong with it. Everyday language is fine. I’m not against it either for hymns or other forms of music. I don’t think people have objection to the plain or simple speaking. It may be more of the music composition as a whole, at least that is how it is for me. There are so many beautiful songs, arias and lieder written and composed with such simplicity. The Britten arrangement of “The Salley Gardens” is one such piece that brings me to tears whenever I sing it or hear it. It’s so simple to play and sing, yet incredibly poignant, thus making it deceptively easy because you don’t want to become too pedestrian when performing it. That is the same with simple hymns past and present. As long as they are “intelligently fostered,” to steal a phrase from one of the documents, (haha) I can find spiritual beauty in it. Some works were not as successful (at least in my eye and mind) with achieving simplicity and intelligence at the same time.

I just don’t understand this snubbing of plain language and simple songs from several people on this thread. It seems like snobbery to me.

I realize that it’s probably just a longing for “high” language and art. As I have said several times on this and other threads, I have no objection when churches use “high” music during Mass (or non-Catholic worship services).

I really don’t think it’s a snubbing of the plain language and simple songs. I think it’s more about not just keeping it one way, especially for people of my generation who grew up with a steady and heavy dose of only very simple songs and a lot of it wasn’t the kind of hymns that brought forth both simplicity and intelligence. Small doses of it was fine, but after a while, you want something more, especially after hearing it for most of your gradeschool and high school life. I personally don’t think it’s snobbery. People can’t help what they like and don’t like.

But I DO object strongly when the entire Mass week after week is turned into a Music Literature class or a Concert Hall. It’s church, and most of there are regular folks, and yes, we want to be lifted up to heaven with sublime and esoteric songs. But we also want to be walking along here on earth with a good song that actually meets us right where we are in our lives.

I think your safe. Most churches at least in my diocese don’t do that. Although there are a few churches that do, which I prefer attending because it hits me more due to the way my mind works. I’ve had plenty of the other. (Although, I’m sure I’ll have to attend children’s masses with any future children and will probably like it because my kids are there. Ha! Unless, of course, they are like how I was as a child. I was pretty serious back then - more so than now. LOL) BUT there is nothing wrong to want the other thing either. I’m just happy I’m finally seeing parishes that have both.

Thank you for a nice discussion!

 

[Cat]

I played “Salley Gardens” for a student (8th grader) for the IHSA Music contest this spring. I agree–very pretty, very strong melody.

I like strong melodies–I think it’s what put Disney’s children’s movies back into the black (The Little Mermaid’s theme song is so melodic–“Part of Your World.”)

 

[RiverRock]

Children’s songs, although simple, have very profound messages. Don’t be a musical snob. A message doesn’t have to be surrounded with 16th Century High Queen’s English or even modern-day Queen’s English to be deep.

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine”–if all Christians took this seriously, the world would be changed in a day. Or maybe a week. But it would definitely be changed.

“Hide it under a bushel, NO!”–most of us hide our lights under bushels, televisions, cars, homes, job grinds, and especially, our sins.

“Don’t let Satan (puff) it out.” Like I said, we give in when Satan and his demons tempt us, and there goes our light.

“Let it shine til Jesus comes.” One of the mysteries of the faith. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

You see, the little song has more to it than you think. I wouldn’t want a steady diet of “children’s songs,” but there’s nothing wrong with them. In fact, look around your Mass–in any given Mass, there are dozens of children. Why not give them a song that they can chime in on?

When surrounded by little children, the Lord said that the kingdom of heaven is made of us such as these. I’m not ashamed to say that I am a child at heart, and simple songs like this, with one profound message, will stick with me longer than a Latin tome that I don’t even understand. I think the same can be said for the majority of people ina churches.

I just finished reading a book about hymnody in the church, and to be honest, I can’t imagine most people in the U.S. having the vocabulary and comprehension skills to understand half of the “high” hymns that the author was encouraging a return to. We can decry the state of our education all we want, but it ain’t gonna git any better anytime soon. So why not sing songs in a language that people can understand? Yelling at a foreigner doesn’t help them to understand better. And criticizing Americans for their lack of English skills won’t help them to improve.

Start up an “Adult English Class” in your parish and watch how few people, if any, show up. It’s just not in the schedule on the PDA these days.

Like I predicted, I was being honest about my experiences and feelings and I get called a snob. Oh well, I predicted as much.

 

[RiverRock]

I just don’t understand this snubbing of plain language and simple songs from several people on this thread. It seems like snobbery to me.
But I DO object strongly when the entire Mass week after week is turned into a Music Literature class or a Concert Hall.

Wow, you have to put up with week after week of a Music literature class or a concert hall? I’ll trade you my parish’s simpleton music week after week for yours.

Just ONCE I’d love to hear a literature class sung. Just ONCE.

 

[Sarabande]

I played “Salley Gardens” for a student (8th grader) for the IHSA Music contest this spring. I agree–very pretty, very strong melody.

I like strong melodies–I think it’s what put Disney’s children’s movies back into the black (The Little Mermaid’s theme song is so melodic–“Part of Your World.”)

Definitely check out the arrangement of “The Salley Gardens” by Benjamin Britten if you haven’t already. The other arrangements are nice, but his is my favorite because of the simplicity of the accompaniament. It’s brilliant.

Yes, I agree. I love The Little Mermaid, but I was in grade school when that came out, so I have some sort of special feeling towards it. It was so much better than a lot of the music out there at the time - the secular music and the sacred music of the period when I was growing up. Alan Menken is a good composer for that kind of music, although I don’t think I’d want that kind of music played at mass.

 

[Sarabande]

Like I predicted, I was being honest about my experiences and feelings and I get called a snob. Oh well, I predicted as much.

It’s a shame. I never use to admit to liking opera or classical music as a little girl and stopped using the “big” vocabulary words just because by showing this side of me constituted me as a snob. I remember being snubbed because I liked using any new vocabulary words that I learned. And all I was doing was trying to make it part of my regular life. Then there are people, especially in the area where I’m from, who have this “What, you think you’re better than me?” attitude if you show any bit of knowledge that they don’t know about. I don’t know why. It’s weird. I was raised to appreciate and learn as much about life, the world, the arts, literature as possible. I don’t understand that attitude. If I’m always excited to learn something new. I don’t think it’s snobby if someone else has so-called “higher taste” than me. I want to find out more about it. The same goes with “low-taste” subjects. I study it and then make my own personal opinions on it. One cannot help what one likes or dislikes.

It isn’t really the fault of the those who say these things either. Many of my family members were like that because they had a perception of people who enjoyed these kinds of arts or employed such verbage. And, unfortunately, some people do give those like us a bad name, especially in the media, movies, etc. But when my family and friends saw that normal, dorky, book-wormish people like myself were involved in things like this and actually started to listen to the music that I performed, they saw that there really wasn’t anything snobby about it. Don’t worry, you’re not a snob.

 

[Cat]

RiverRock–

My daughter sings opera. I have another daughter who is production stage manager for a professional ballet company. I am the Chair of a Classical Music competition for children and teenagers.

I NEVER said to eliminate good music. Again, for the dozenth time, I will repeat that I think it’s perfectly acceptable and good for a music minister to stretch the intellect of the congregation by using “high” music.

Just not constantly.

I am happy to say that the music minister at our parish does just that. Depending on which Mass you attend, you can hear everything from “Kum Bay Yah” to “Bach.” You have a choice at our parish.

So yes, I am very blessed.

“A sappy happy clappy protestant childrens song!”–this doesn’t sound like a very nice comment about a perfectly good song. It’s an insult, actually.

You also used the term “aural twinkies.” This language is inflammatory. It’s one thing to say that you don’t like a song, but to call it names–remember that a composer, probably a Christian, composed these songs that you hate so much. The composer had hopes that that Lord would use his/her song to lead someone to a closer relationship with the Lord.

It is snobbery to look down on ANY music. ANY music.

I agree that not all music is appropriate for Mass. I agree that Mass should be well-planned with songs that enhance the liturgy (actually, the songs ARE the liturgy).

But that doesn’t mean the song is “bad” or “aural twinkies.” It just means that a human being has placed the song in an inappropriate place.

I happen to know that the liturgical person in one of the parish’s that I play for is just an ordinary woman with no music education. Why don’t they get rid of her and hire someone knowledgeable? Because there ISN’T anyone else who’s willing to do it. Just the facts, ma’am. Real life Catholicism.

Perhaps you should try to figure out a way to approach your organist–and I agree, don’t tick them off, because they are almost extinct, and lobby for a few changes in the music of your parish. Maybe try taking the organist out for dinner, becoming friends with him/her (be careful if it’s an opposite sex), and THEN making your suggestions. And of course, always be willing to do your share of the work, and to contribute the money to purchase any new music needed.

 

[RiverRock]

I NEVER said to eliminate good music. Again, for the dozenth time, I will repeat that I think it’s perfectly acceptable and good for a music minister to stretch the intellect of the congregation by using “high” music.

Just not constantly.

Well we not only don’t hear “high” music constantly, we NEVER hear it. Try a diet of “Kum Bay Yahs” every week. Yes, Aural Twinkies. Sugary and Light.

“A sappy happy clappy protestant childrens song!”–this doesn’t sound like a very nice comment about a perfectly good song. It’s an insult, actually.

I just call 'em as I hear 'em.

It is snobbery to look down on ANY music. ANY music.

Really? Have you heard what passes for popular music these days?

Perhaps you should try to figure out a way to approach your organist–and I agree, don’t tick them off, because they are almost extinct, and lobby for a few changes in the music of your parish. Maybe try taking the organist out for dinner, becoming friends with him/her (be careful if it’s an opposite sex), and THEN making your suggestions. And of course, always be willing to do your share of the work, and to contribute the money to purchase any new music needed./

This is a great suggestion. But I suspect that this person (however talented) is a bit of a dissenter and judging from the comments I heard from this person in the past, I think it would be a waste of time. If only I could sing I would be the first one in the chior to push for better music. Maybe then I would have some credibility.

Did you read the part in my original post about how the better (okay-“higher”) music brought me to tears? I guarantee you I don’t cry to “He’s got the whole world in his hands”, but “Holy is His Name” did the trick. How the music helped transport me to calvary and that the Boogie Woogie piano abruptly ended that connection?

Oh well, I guess the bottom line is that some people prefer one style and some prefer another. I’d still love for you to come hear our music. After a few months, you’d run screaming for the doors.

 

[Wolseley]

What’s the most popular Christmas song of all time?

“White Christmas.”

“I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, with every Christmas card I write. May your days be merry and bright, and may all your Christmases be white.”

It’s simple. It’s beautiful. It’s touching. For those of us who live up North, it hits us right in the heart. And it’s more popular every year. I could listen to it a thousand times (and I probably do every Christmas, since it’s so popular).

Sure, I like Christmas songs like “Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming” and “Light the Torch, Jeannette Isabella.”

But I like the simple songs, too.

Yes, “White Christmas” is a simple song, and it is also beautiful.

That novelty recording with the dogs barking to the tune of “Jingle Bells” is simple, too—and not so beautiful.

The issue is not simplicity, cat—the issue is quality.

This topic has been done to death, and I won’t go into a laundry list of the reasons why many of us would rather undergo a cathartic enema than listen to one more ditty from Glory and Praise, but even if these songs were of the very highest quality, hearing the same 25 tunes week in and week out, over, and over, and over, and over, and over again is enough to put anybody off their feed.

I have been in parishes where I would have willingly given the guitar strummers $20.00 if they’d play “O Lord, I’m So Glad I’m A Methodist” just for a change of pace.

 

[Sarabande]

Yes, “White Christmas” is a simple song, and it is also beautiful.

That novelty recording with the dogs barking to the tune of “Jingle Bells” is simple, too—and not so beautiful.

The issue is not simplicity, cat—the issue is quality.

This topic has been done to death, and I won’t go into a laundry list of the reasons why many of us would rather undergo a cathartic enema than listen to one more ditty from Glory and Praise, but even if these songs were of the very highest quality, hearing the same 25 tunes week in and week out, over, and over, and over, and over, and over again is enough to put anybody off their feed.

I understand what you mean. My husband has used the following analogy before and I think it makes sense in regards to music as well. Take art, for example. The paintings of Thomas Kincade are “technically” paintings. They required paint, brush strokes, canvas, and time to create them, just like the works of Michalangelo or DaVinci, Vermeer, Van Reuesdael (spell) and Manet. (I’m not comparing Kincade to that of modern artists because his composition is more in the style of those artists than that of Mondrian, later Van Gogh or Pollack, etc.)

Just because they were created the same way, and the components are the same, does not make the work of Kincade in any way equal to the works of the aforementioned artisits. Kincade is an ok artist. He has the basic techniques down although is not as artistic or masterful at it. To my eye (I’m not an artist, but we have professional artists in our family, so I’ve learned a little) he makes art rather than creates art. Since I don’t know him, I could assume that he may put his heart and soul into his works. Although he could also just be a commercial artist kicking out the works and placing them in catalogues to make money rather than truly creating art. I’ll probably never know. But most people would agree that what he creates is more kitsch than real quality art. I’ve held examples of his works with examples of works of a master painter to people who don’t know much about artwork or would not recognize the work. This has also been done in art history and appreciation courses that I’ve taken. Although some will say that the Kincade is pretty or nice, they will all choose the other work over the Kincade. Some would even say that his work is garbage and saccharine. If that is how they feel, that’s fine. They recognize a higher quality which is intangible as everyone knows that music and art is a matter of taste, yet there is that intangible quality that goes along with it and can be recognized. Now it doesn’t say that a small group of those people may like the Kincade more for whatever reason, but they will admit that it isn’t of better or equal quality to that of Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni or any other master painter. I’m sure most of them and most of us wouldn’t want to strip everything that he painted in the Sistine Chapel and put up something by Kincade instead.

That’s how I feel about sacred music as well.

 

[Sarabande]

RiverRock–
It is snobbery to look down on ANY music. ANY music.

Most artists, musicians, composers, etc. have to face criticism all the time. Even the best of composers and musicians must face it in their sacred and secular works, although most of the critics would recognize their genius. It was more about the appropriateness of the music and/or text.

It’s just a part of life which has to be accepted for an artist, and although it is hurtful at first, you learn that it shouldn’t be taken personally. Some people will absolutely love and adore your work, some won’t and will appear to be looking down on your work. Even though we feel that we have placed all of our heart, soul and love of God into what we do, there will be people who will not be affected by it and will think it is garbage. And although our ultimate goal is to bring everyone to a spiritual level, we have to learn to not to care if someone does think we stink or make sappy-happy diddies. I’ve grown to not take personal offense at all. It’s part of what artists and musicians live with. I know that I’m giving my all to what I create and the listener will either be touched or not. That’s the best we can do.

People have such strong opinions about music and art - especially in the sacred realm - because it is something that powerfully touches them either in the positive or negative. More often than not, it’s not about musical or artistic snobbery. It’s based on how they were affected. The affects are sometimes extremely pungeant or sublime. People can experience intense insult to their faith when they hear or see something that affect them negatively. I’ve experienced that myself where I actually have become physically ill or panicked. And I would honestly say that what I heard was garbage for me, as sincere as the person who wrote that music may have been. It is something that cannot be helped when it is a visceral reaction like that. I would be lying if I did not feel that way. I appreciate the fact that the person was trying to do his/her best and I feel no ill-will towards that person, but I could not go up to that music writer or artist and tell him/her that their work was spiritual and inspiring when I felt nothing of the sort. I could say, “I’m sure you have placed a lot of your soul into it,” but that is the extent that I could say without pandering or lying.

I’m not saying that it is easy to accept seemingly mean or constructive criticism. Talk to someone who has taken part of many juries or masters classes for voice and are criticized in front of a room full of your peers. Almost all musicians have to go through this. And as I mentioned, even many of the great masters in music had to go through this with the sacred music they wrote But they all learned to take it in stride and we realize that those people who have either bore love or hate of our work also do not wish ill-will on us and most are not snobby because of it.

 

[kaimpls]

I would agree

I started a list of good Catholic music. Here’s the start:

acatholiclife.blogspot.com/20…-for-soul.html

PS: I am going to be a seminarian in St. Paul, MN this fall. I did some research and two parishes in St. Paul are GREAT! They are St. Agnes Parish and St. Augustine Parish. St. Augustine has the Tridentine Latin Mass.

Welcome to St. Paul! Since the subject here is Music, I can tell you this. You will absolutely love St. Agnes. You will also love the reverence you will find here. I have never been to St. Augustine, but am going to go now that I have read this from you. You will also love the seminary here. Wonderful teachers, wonderful and beautiful campus.

Richard (praying for your vocation)

 

[VAC]

I have a question for those of you who are unhappy about music at mass. I’ve read that a few of you have voiced your negaitve opinions to the music ministry at your churches.
Have you ever gone up to compliment the choir or cantor when they’ve played a song you’ve liked??
I do not receive a great deal of feedback from the crowd positive or negative, but I can say that no one has ever come up to me and said, “That’s a really liturgically correct song” or, “It’s so nice to hear Latin at mass again”, or “It’s nice that you played a traditional hymn.”

People compliment us on modern upbeat hyms, or when the kids sing a song with parts such as “Seek Ye First” sung as a round.
Or when a song evokes an emotional response.

I realize selecting music isn’t about pleasing everyone, but positive encouragement can make a difference… even if it’s in baby steps…