Canned music at Mass

[hosea]

Sherlock:

Hi Terry,

Thank you for your efforts—it is clear that you have put your heart and soul into it, and I respect that immensely. I wish you continued joy in your music ministry.

You wrote: “I pray that someone will touch your heart with a song and you too will be lifted up.”

Actually, that happens very often at Mass. I have difficulty singing some hymns (“Humbly We Adore Thee” is a favorite) because their beauty touches me to the point of tears (which makes it hard to sing). I think it is a mistake to think that because someone does not like modern liturgical music, that person is necessarily a curmudgeon that doesn’t like music at all. Far from it: I have Palestrina Masses on CDs that I play throughout the day, and as I mentioned, I enjoy singing hymns.

Hello again Sherlock,
What I meant when I said I pray that someone will touch your heart… is that there is so much music used at all the churchs by Haugen, Shutte, and the rest that I pray that one of them will write a song that will touch your heart and give you peace when you attend mass. Or at least I hope someone in the music ministry at your parish will play those older hymns like “Humbly we adore thee” and feed your tender spirit. I try to maintain a mix of old and new but the old hymns are slowly disappearing from the song books. Songs like “The Church’s one foundation”, “Holy God, we praise Thy Name”, and others are still in my quiver and get used. But I must admit that my influence for my guitar-playing and singing comes from the contempories. When I was growing up I listened to Simon and Garfunkle and Bread and Crosby Stills and Nash. Haugen, Haas, and my absolute favorite John Michael Talbot use that kind of style so it feeds my area of expertise.

 Believe me I understand the value and the danger of music in the church.  There have been changes imposed upon those commissioned to write music where they are NOT to imply the Male-ness of God.  They have taken old songs and reworded them to make them 'inclusive', as they say.  The result is awkard text.  And the people stumble over the words.  The goal is to completely remove even Christ's manhood!  "He became Man and lived among us."  They are trying to change Holy Scripture in order to satisfy those caught up in political correctness!  I attended a workshop hosted by Marty Haugen (one of my favorite composers; no offense;) and he said that he has a hard time now writing songs under those restrictions.  It has stifeled his creativity.  BTW he was awsome.  A humble little man with wall-to-wall talent.  I actually got to help him introduce a song he was working on at the workshop.  It was truly a thrill.  But I digress.  Sorry.

  This is such a wonderful forum.  I thank you, Sherlock (I still feel goofy calling you that), for your candid and well-spoken comments.

I hope you continue to voice your opinion on the music used in your parish. Musicians, by nature, are ego-maniacs. But some are touched by the Holy Spirit and will listen to their Assemblies. It is an awsome responsibility. And an honor to be His unworthy servant.

Your friend in Christ,
Terry

 

[hosea]

Charliemac:

Yes
No.

I side with those who feel that it is inappropriate. In my opinion, anything that might be remotely construed as a “performance” is inappropriate. As a rule, when you get mixed feed back such as, “I love it,” vs. “It is inappropriate.” Listen to the more conservative voice. The Liturgy is the public worship of the Church, and it isn’t to be toyed with. Remember, there is a LOT of liturgical abuse out there, some minor some not. I will wager that you would get an “I love it” from every one of those who like to tinker with and improve the Mass. I don’t mean to imply that the “I Love it” people all abuse the Mass, rather that the abusers will say, “I love it.”
For the record

• I favor traditional music, that is consistant with the Liturgy, not bolted on as it were.
• I dislike guitar music at Mass intensely
• Nothing is more stunning than a single human voice raised in prayer.

What you say is interesting and frustruating. When you learn an instrument as a child you are taught that it is for performing. Each time you pick up or sit at your instrument in front of people you are taught that you must play well so that they will be moved and entertained. And so, when you reach adulthood, if you are fortunate enough and good enough to be asked to use your instrument, whether it be your piano, your guitar, and/or your voice, you are NOT to consider your leading of the Assembly a performance. The instructions for Music in Liturgy are so contradictory. “The Cantor must be trained in voice and music in order to lead the Assembly. However, the Cantor may not use his/her role as a performance.” I paraphrase but do you get the idea? They want my voice and my talents on the guitar which means that I will have a vibrato and be articulate and that I will have extraordinary skills on my instrument but I better not let anyone realize that when I lead them. So I must not put any emotion or dynamics into my delivery of the song lest someone think “O my Lord! He’s performing! He is going to…”

Every Sunday, in one way or another, I am moved either by the readings or by the Homily. I express my emotion for what happens at Mass thru my music. I don’t know what else to do. God has given me a wonderful gift. How do I give it back to him? By hiding his gift from the Church? I am a horrible sinner. Totally unworthy of His gift. Yet when I see the tears on the faces of people as they listen to my emotions come out in the songs I can’t help but think “He hears me…and He is pleased with His song.”

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Peace,
Terry

 

[Sparky]

DJJG:

Canned music is NOT permitted at mass.:nope:

Hi. I’m a leader of song in New York City…and I’m afraid this comment is correct. Canned music isn’t allowed during the mass, only live music and musicians. I searched the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) and it only mentions the organ, strings or other live instruments (including voice). And the rule with the GIRM is…if it’s not mentioned, it’s not to be done. In other words, you can’t get away with the “the GIRM doesn’t say NOT to do it…” defense. If it’s not in there, you don’t do it. Period. Otherwise you fall into liturgical abuse.

And while I’m sure you have a lovely voice and do your best to encourage the spirituality of the congregation, IMHO canned music is…so fake…so…Protestant. The only time I’ve heard canned music used effectively in a Catholic church is when our organist would sometimes turn on Gregorian chant CDs quietly before mass.

I should add, that the most compliments I’ve received on my singing after mass (and trust me, I don’t search for them…I sing for the glory of God alone and not for my own satisfaction) is when I’ve sung a capella.
–Ann
PS: this is an edit: one thing I’ve also noticed with some modern music you mention like Haugan, Haas and others is that the lyrics are heretical. And some have the congregation speaking as if they are God. All songs should praise God. And all songs should be theologically correct. One example is the song “Supper of the Lord” states the belief of consubstantiation not transubstantiation; - “Precious Body Precious Blood, here in bread and wine…” should be “here AS bread and wine.”

 

[Sherlock]

Terry,

Thanks for your kind responses. I have some comments to make regarding them, but I’m afraid I don’t have time right now and they’ll have to wait.

But I did want to tell you that “Sherlock” is not a name that I chose for myself to use as a screen name (that would be a bit presumptuous, as it would imply that I thought I was particularly perceptive and endowed with great powers of deduction—which is not the case!), but is the last name I was born with. Yup, no kidding—and I can assure you that I got a lot of kidding about my name when I was young. Anyway, perhaps knowing that might make you feel less goofy using it!

 

[hosea]

Sparky:

Hi. I’m a leader of song in New York City…and I’m afraid this comment is correct. Canned music isn’t allowed during the mass, only live music and musicians. I searched the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) and it only mentions the organ, strings or other live instruments (including voice). And the rule with the GIRM is…if it’s not mentioned, it’s not to be done. In other words, you can’t get away with the “the GIRM doesn’t say NOT to do it…” defense. If it’s not in there, you don’t do it. Period. Otherwise you fall into liturgical abuse.

And while I’m sure you have a lovely voice and do your best to encourage the spirituality of the congregation, IMHO canned music is…so fake…so…Protestant. The only time I’ve heard canned music used effectively in a Catholic church is when our organist would sometimes turn on Gregorian chant CDs quietly before mass.

I should add, that the most compliments I’ve received on my singing after mass (and trust me, I don’t search for them…I sing for the glory of God alone and not for my own satisfaction) is when I’ve sung a capella.
–Ann
QUOTE]

Hello Ann,
Liturgical abuse seems like such a harsh phrase for this. I have been directing a 15 voice choir for the last 4 years using my guitar and occasionally my sequences (CD’s) to accompany them. The church is poor and the sound system is in disrepair. I brought in my own little sound system to get some amplification. Using the CD accompaniment allowed me the ability to control the volume of the accompaniment so as not to over power the voices. It blended very nicely. And the choir could be heard.
Last week I was told that we would have a pianist joining our choir to accompany us. I am no longer allowed to use the CD’s. I’m sure that makes you and those who oppose CD’s pleased but please read on. At our choir rehersal on Wed. the pianist showed up and played with us. He is very accomplished and talented. He played so loudly that the choir could not even hear themselves let alone be heard by anyone else. Some even said after practice that they may not sing with the choir anymore. “What’s the point? No one will be able to hear us anyway.” I was trying to play my guitar with him but stopped in hopes that he would get softer. And he played about 15% faster than I prescribed. That has been my experience with musicians. They seem to think it’s more important for the assembly to hear **them **than to hear the voices and therefore the voices take a back seat. With the accompaniment CD’s there’s no musician’s ego to deal with. Only the voices are the focus. The voices that proclaim God’s Word thru His music. The music is only there to support them. Not to be the center of attention. The new pianist even talked about getting a grand piano for the church. Why? Isn’t it loud enough already?!
Technology thru the years has always focused on the musician. When the pipe organ was introduced it filled a quarter of the worship space. And then the synthesizer, while smaller, used the sound system to blare out violins and horns, and any other sampled instrument; thus overpowering the singers again. Now with CD’s we can still have all those instruments; pipe organ, violins, piano, flutes, etc. but we can blend the sounds to SUPPORT the VOICES not over power them. The accompaniment becomes just accompaniment. Not the main focus of the liturgy. Now tell me. Where is the Liturgical abuse?

Ann (and everyone), thank you for discussing this with me. I do humbly appreciate your comments. I pray that one day we can all understand what this is all about. Are we doing God’s work? Am I an abomination? An abuser? Am I less holy because of my interest in this? I think not. I pray that God does not mind my focus being on my dear 70+ year-old little ladies voices and not on one musicain’s need to be heard over everyone.

Peace in Christ,
Hosea

 

[baltobetsy]

Hosea, I’ve been a cantor for 27 years, so I understand very well where you’re coming from, but I must respectfully disagree with you. The point here is not the temporal good of musical balance, but the spiritual good of obedience. On a hierarchical scale, the spiritual goods always outrank the temporal goods. You are almost certainly correct in your assessment of the CDs as useful to your choir, and musically superior to the overly loud pianist. But to place your judgment above the judgment of the Church cannot be a good thing, even if it appears to be, musically speaking. That’s a tough position to be in, when the instructions from the Church have not caught up with technology, but to anticipate what the Church might say and go ahead with one’s own judgment is a form of disobedience that harms the Church in an invisible, spiritual way. One of the great errors of our time is to base our evaluation of spiritual realities on what can be seen, heard and experienced. But spiritual realities are so much deeper than that, so much richer.

I applaud your obedient submission to your pastor’s requirement to use the pianist. May I suggest that it is possible for great good to come of this situation. Perhaps this pianist, talented as he/she is, needs to grow in humility, and God has chosen you and your choir to teach this lesson in the most loving of ways. With prayer and repeated tactful requests, you may be able to get this person to cooperate with your direction. Even great concert pianists need to cooperate with symphony conductors - this will be a valuable lesson to this pianist both musically and spiritually. You speak as a true music minister, so I’m sure you’ll be able to approach the pianist in a non-threatening and charitable way.

Even if, objectively, the quality of your music suffers temporarily, your worship will be enhanced and more pleasing to God because of your obedience. God is more interested in our hearts than in our music.

God bless you in your ministry!
Betsy

 

[hosea]

baltobetsy:

Hosea, I’ve been a cantor for 27 years, so I understand very well where you’re coming from, but I must respectfully disagree with you. The point here is not the temporal good of musical balance, but the spiritual good of obedience. On a hierarchical scale, the spiritual goods always outrank the temporal goods. You are almost certainly correct in your assessment of the CDs as useful to your choir, and musically superior to the overly loud pianist. But to place your judgment above the judgment of the Church cannot be a good thing, even if it appears to be, musically speaking. That’s a tough position to be in, when the instructions from the Church have not caught up with technology, but to anticipate what the Church might say and go ahead with one’s own judgment is a form of disobedience that harms the Church in an invisible, spiritual way. One of the great errors of our time is to base our evaluation of spiritual realities on what can be seen, heard and experienced. But spiritual realities are so much deeper than that, so much richer.

I applaud your obedient submission to your pastor’s requirement to use the pianist. May I suggest that it is possible for great good to come of this situation. Perhaps this pianist, talented as he/she is, needs to grow in humility, and God has chosen you and your choir to teach this lesson in the most loving of ways. With prayer and repeated tactful requests, you may be able to get this person to cooperate with your direction. Even great concert pianists need to cooperate with symphony conductors - this will be a valuable lesson to this pianist both musically and spiritually. You speak as a true music minister, so I’m sure you’ll be able to approach the pianist in a non-threatening and charitable way.

Even if, objectively, the quality of your music suffers temporarily, your worship will be enhanced and more pleasing to God because of your obedience. God is more interested in our hearts than in our music.

God bless you in your ministry!
Betsy

Dear Betsy,
What a beautiful and wise reply. I am chastised in the most humble and beautiful way. My heart leaps for joy at your reply. It is not from your mouth but the mouth of God that this blessed reply comes.
I pray that God will give me the heart of humility to let go of all my work in creating these accompaniment CD’s. May I never boast of anything save the Cross of God!
Thank you, Betsy. Thank you from my whole heart.

Your friend in Christ,
Terry

p.s. I’m listening to some music right now. Simon and Garfunkle’s “Bridge over troubled water.” My God is my bridge. Let Him carry me gently to where He needs me. Amen.

 

[Sparky]

Hi, Terry,

Betsy is right. It’s about obedience. The Church says via your priest and the GIRM “live music only” - if that’s what the Church says, then you must do it. You need to pray about that. It’s important.

Now here’s the thing. A piano is called a piano for a reason. “Piano” as you may know, is short for pianoforte - meaning “soft and loud”. In other words…the instrument is not the problem! A grand piano would make no difference in volume. In fact, it would sound nicer because the bass string would be longer. The instrument CAN be played softly–that’s why it has the name it does. It was meant to be different than the harpsichord, the instrument’s predecessor that could not vary in volume.

It’s up to you, the leader, to make a difference. You just have to beat it into the pianist’s head that he’s playing with an ensemble and he’s gotta tone it down. You are the leader. You lay down the law. Start a song. If he’s too loud, stop them and say “the accompaniment needs to be softer”. Start the song again. If it’s too loud again, stop him and say, “it needs to be softer still. The accompaniment needs to enhance the voices, not drown them out.”

If he can’t hack it…he has no business being a professional musician.

So be assertive. Be a music director. You can do it.

Meanwhile, you can always try to mic the choir. It might help.
–Ann

 

[baltobetsy]

hosea:

My heart leaps for joy at your reply.

Betsy

 

[Sherlock]

Terry,

You wrote: “What a beautiful and wise reply. I am chastised in the most humble and beautiful way. My heart leaps for joy at your reply. It is not from your mouth but the mouth of God that this blessed reply comes.
I pray that God will give me the heart of humility to let go of all my work in creating these accompaniment CD’s. May I never boast of anything save the Cross of God!”

I am so humbled by your response. Terry, you are a gift to our Church. Your humility puts me to shame (being the often caustic and sarcastic Catholic that I am), and I will pray that I can follow your example of Godly humility. May God bless you and keep you safe in His hands. May He prosper the work of your hands…

 

[hosea]

Sparky:

Hi, Terry,

Betsy is right. It’s about obedience. The Church says via your priest and the GIRM “live music only” - if that’s what the Church says, then you must do it. You need to pray about that. It’s important.

Now here’s the thing. A piano is called a piano for a reason. “Piano” as you may know, is short for pianoforte - meaning “soft and loud”. In other words…the instrument is not the problem! A grand piano would make no difference in volume. In fact, it would sound nicer because the bass string would be longer. The instrument CAN be played softly–that’s why it has the name it does. It was meant to be different than the harpsichord, the instrument’s predecessor that could not vary in volume.

It’s up to you, the leader, to make a difference. You just have to beat it into the pianist’s head that he’s playing with an ensemble and he’s gotta tone it down. You are the leader. You lay down the law. Start a song. If he’s too loud, stop them and say “the accompaniment needs to be softer”. Start the song again. If it’s too loud again, stop him and say, “it needs to be softer still. The accompaniment needs to enhance the voices, not drown them out.”

If he can’t hack it…he has no business being a professional musician.

So be assertive. Be a music director. You can do it.

Meanwhile, you can always try to mic the choir. It might help.
–Ann

Great advise, Ann. And no. I did not know the orgin of the word Piano. How interesting that is. You know, perhaps my delving into M.I.D.I. sequencing and making my own accompaniment cd’s was a way of running around my fear of being assertive. Especially to trained musicians who are so much better than me. Using cd’s I can just go to the mixer and turn it down. I don’t have to keep stopping and being assertive. Maybe God is telling me “Terry, it’s time, buddy. Take charge. I’ve got your back.”
Wouldn’t you all love if we could all get together and do a mass?! We may not be able to do that but I assure you this Sunday at 9 a.m. Phoenix time I will be offering up the mass to this forum that has brought me new direction for my ministry.
And opened my eyes to Obedience.

Peace and Love to all,
Terry
Ok. Here goes. I’m putting on my assertive hat. hope I don’t start biting my nails again. They really sound nice on my nylon strings.

 

[hosea]

Sherlock:

Terry,

You wrote: “What a beautiful and wise reply. I am chastised in the most humble and beautiful way. My heart leaps for joy at your reply. It is not from your mouth but the mouth of God that this blessed reply comes.
I pray that God will give me the heart of humility to let go of all my work in creating these accompaniment CD’s. May I never boast of anything save the Cross of God!”

I am so humbled by your response. Terry, you are a gift to our Church. Your humility puts me to shame (being the often caustic and sarcastic Catholic that I am), and I will pray that I can follow your example of Godly humility. May God bless you and keep you safe in His hands. May He prosper the work of your hands…

Amen.
My cup truly runneth over.
God bless you, my friend.

 

[Sparky]

hosea:

Great advise, Ann. And no. I did not know the orgin of the word Piano. How interesting that is. You know, perhaps my delving into M.I.D.I. sequencing and making my own accompaniment cd’s was a way of running around my fear of being assertive. Especially to trained musicians who are so much better than me. Using cd’s I can just go to the mixer and turn it down. I don’t have to keep stopping and being assertive. Maybe God is telling me “Terry, it’s time, buddy. Take charge. I’ve got your back.”
Wouldn’t you all love if we could all get together and do a mass?! We may not be able to do that but I assure you this Sunday at 9 a.m. Phoenix time I will be offering up the mass to this forum that has brought me new direction for my ministry.
And opened my eyes to Obedience.

Peace and Love to all,
Terry
Ok. Here goes. I’m putting on my assertive hat. hope I don’t start biting my nails again. They really sound nice on my nylon strings.

I was a nail biter and completely unassertive. To cure assertiveness…well…I married a complete extrovert and moved to New York City. You can’t survive being shy here. To cure the nail biting, I started getting manicures. (And if you’re a guy…you can get manicures…they just leave ya natural…)

You may be right. God might be telling you it’s time to really stand up, take charge, and make music for God with other human beings.

Here’s the thing. When you do the rehearsals, remember you’re in charge. Stop the song if it isn’t working and just say…with no accusation…"[Pianist’s name], take it back a bit, you’re blowin’ away these poor folks over here (meaning the vocalists)." If he’s anything worth his salt, he should be able to fulfill you’re request.

Most pianists are used to working as soloists…or working in bands where they have to JAM (meaning pound) on the piano. If you have to take him aside and say “this ensemble has to be different, peaceful. Work with the singers, not over them.” He should get the hint.

Oh yeah, and let me know how it goes. You can always private message me for advice. I’ve worked in lots and lots of ensembles.

And yes – it would totally be cool to sing with you someday. I’ll let you know if I ever visit Arizona. You’ll have to let me know if you ever come to the Big Apple.

God bless. I’m praying for ya!
–Ann

 

[hosea]

It was an interesting weekend. The new music director for our parish lead my choir on Sunday. The choir, consisting of 60-80 year olds, was frustruated. The piano was too loud (“we can’t even hear ourselves”) and too fast. I even tried to direct him slower but to no avail. I tried to assure them it would get better. And I do believe it will. He’s very comitted to his art. He will fall in love with them just like I did.

Ah, me. I’m just not cut out for another confrontation with a liturgist. I heard an amusing analogy; What is the difference between a Liturgist and a Terrorist? Answer: you can **negotiate **with a terrorist!

And there was new light upon the canned music issue. The music director at my other parish loaned me a book. It is called The Liturgy Documents. It is a resource for all parishes to use in determining the correctness of the Liturgy. It is refrenced in the official Liturgical documents on file at the Dioscese.
On page 308, paragraph 62 states under the heading of “Recorded music:”

…A prerecorded “soundtrack” used in today’s contemporary “electronic music” when combined with live instruments and/or voices becomes an integral part of the performance. It is, therfore a legitimate use of recorded music.

This is a very accurate description of how I use recorded digital music at Mass. It is perfectly acceptable. I think that when they put the prohibition on recorded music in the guidlines that they were wanting us to avoid putting on a record of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or some such music during the celebration of the Mass. The book also states the recorded music is never to replace the choir, organ, or instrumentalists. As long as you sing or play your instrument live with the recording it is legal and not liturgical abuse.
Now, on the other hand, if a Pastor of a parish admonishes me for using recorded music I should abide by his wishes. That is another thing entirely. And I believe that is where I went wrong. I must trust my pastor’s judgement and ‘tastes’ in how the Liturgy should be delivered when I am in his employ. If I refuse then I am insubordinate. No matter what the liturgy documents say. It is not my place to correct him.
The pastor at my other parish (the one where my family is registerd) fully supports the use of recorded music used in the way described. And with the ‘take-over’ of my choir I feel compeled to go back to my home parish and take my place in the music there.
I thank you all once again for your thoughtful and frank comments on this important issue. Our Church is strong because of the laity. Vatican II said to give the church back to the people. Many have risen to the task.

Peace to all,
Terry

 

[baltobetsy]

hosea:

What is the difference between a Liturgist and a Terrorist? Answer: you can **negotiate **with a terrorist!

One of my favorite jokes!

hosea:

A prerecorded “soundtrack” used in today’s contemporary “electronic music” when combined with live instruments and/or voices becomes an integral part of the performance. It is, therfore a legitimate use of recorded music.

You just reminded me of some compositions I have heard for the combination of organ and tape and choir, organ and tape. The ones I have heard have sounds on the tape that seem to come from the pit of hell! So your lovely soundtracks will balance out some of the ugliness in the whole big scheme of things.

Do I understand you correctly that you will be leaving the church where the pianist has come on board?

Betsy

 

[hosea]

baltobetsy:

One of my favorite jokes!

You just reminded me of some compositions I have heard for the combination of organ and tape and choir, organ and tape. The ones I have heard have sounds on the tape that seem to come from the pit of hell! So your lovely soundtracks will balance out some of the ugliness in the whole big scheme of things.

Do I understand you correctly that you will be leaving the church where the pianist has come on board?

Betsy

Not right away, Betsy. I will try to bow out gracefully. My home parish has a need for someone to lead a Mass. The young lady that is leading it now is going off to college and may not have the time to continue. It will be nice to be more available to my home parish. I’ll miss my choir dearly but all things must pass. It was a wonderful 10 years. And the next 10 will be wonderful too and the next and the next…

Perhaps I could send you a CD that my wife and I recorded at mass over the last couple years. It’s nothing fancy. I just record with a minidisc recorder at mass and then make cd’s on my computer and give them out to friends and family. I just love my ministry!
Peace,
Terry

 

[yinekka]

Hosea, re post #34 you said: *The music director at my other parish loaned me a book. It is called The Liturgy Documents. It is a resource for all parishes to use in determining the correctness of the Liturgy. It is refrenced in the official Liturgical documents on file at the Dioscese.
On page 308, paragraph 62 states under the heading of “Recorded music:”

…A prerecorded “soundtrack” used in today’s contemporary “electronic music” when combined with live instruments and/or voices becomes an integral part of the performance. It is, therfore a legitimate use of recorded music.*

1. Did you mean the diocese’s Liturgical documents
   or 2. Did you mean Official Liturgical documents from the Vatican?

If the latter, could you give me the name of the liturgical document please and the year in which it was issued.

You also said: *Vatican II said to give the church back to the people. * In which document could I read this and where in the document?

 

[pennyh]

We have a youth group band at our parish that plays several times a year. My daughter plays electric guitar, we have drums, tamborines, and several other instruments. Everyone seems to enjoy it and I think music can lift your spirits, especially upbeat music. The young people enjoy it so much and look forward to hearing something other than the traditional choir. We are a very small parish and this is a great way to keep the young involved and smiling in worship and praise. Great job.

 

[pnewton]

hosea:

The music director at my other parish loaned me a book. It is called The Liturgy Documents. It is a resource for all parishes to use in determining the correctness of the Liturgy. It is refrenced in the official Liturgical documents on file at the Dioscese.

I am intrigued by this book you mention. Does it describe where the documents come from and the weight and jurisdiction they have?

 

[DaveH]

[Servulus]The approved American adaptation to the GIRM about instrumentation:

393: While the organ is to be accorded pride of place, other wind, stringed, or percussion instruments may be used in liturgical services in the dioceses of the United States of America, according to longstanding local usage, provided they are truly apt for sacred use or can be rendered apt.

No specific mention is made of pre-recorded or other electonically generated music or accompaniment. The conclusion we might draw from this is that the new document makes no change to guidelines already in place regarding this issue. A search of Vatican guidelines in this area revealed that the topic was specifically addressed in De Musica Sacra, issued 3 September 1958. That document says, in part:

1. The use of automatic instruments and machines, such as the automatic organ, phonograph, radio, tape or wire recorders, and other similar machines, is absolutely forbidden in liturgical functions and private devotions, whether they are held inside or outside the church, even if these machines be used only to transmit sermons or sacred music, or to substitute for the singing of the choir or faithful, or even just to support it.

A search for subsequent instructions modifying or abandoning this restriction was unsuccessful.

Food for thought.
Thank you Servulus,

One of the previous “posters” while agreeing to the prohibition against canned music, seems to say that it is permissible to amplify the choir, or cantor. Mr. T Day, author of Why Catholics Can’t Sing, does an excellent job painting the picture of the bad effects of amplifying the singers’ voices and instruments in the Sacred Liturgy. And so, I say,

No Canned Music, No Amplified Voice Or Instruments.

Now, starting from the point of loving obedience, what can we do?

First, acoustics. I play fiddle at Mass from time to time, and my parish church, St. James, Carthage, NY, built in the 1800s, has great acoustics, and the organ and choir are still where they should be acoustically, in the choir loft. I realize many churches have been built without regard for acoustics since amplification came in. A very sad state of affairs-only the priest when he says Mass and the deacon, when he preaches the homily should use a microphone, okay, we’ll let the lectors too… But music should not be canned or amplified.

I wear a hearing aid, and am quite hard of hearing. You can’t imagine, unless you’re one of the HOH, how amplification wreaks havoc with the ability of a hearing aid wearer to understand what is going on in church, and to participate in congregational singing or choral singing, or to play an instrument along with the choir etc. And I try to do all three. Even with the great acoustics in our church, the evils of amplification and canned music have come to our church.

Here’s how I understand good liturgical music to work, an acoustical engineer could provide the science, if I’m not completely off in left field: music, produced by voice or instrument without amplification, combines with the voices of the congregation to make a complete sound.

Canned or amplified music somehow fights against the voice of the congregation to make the experience very unsatisfying-there is no “melisma”, no true combination of the sound into one beautiful whole, in which the worshipper gets that sense of oneness and beauty of the hymn. And, the role of the cantor IS to be drowned out!

So there is logic to the Church’s longstanding prohibition against amplified music of any kind, and I dare say, it also includes “electronic” organs, which can be particularly odious, so only pipe organs give the truly satisfying effect desired (we’ll let you use an electrified bellows system though!)
God bless.
Dave