Choral Singers Who Convert - Do You Continue Singing?

[TrueLight]

I have sung all my life, sometimes in more than one choir at a time. I lam particularly blessed by choral singing. It blesses me to know that we bless others.

Since I became interested in converting I dropped out of one choir which I felt was too “me” focused. I have not dropped out of the second choir which is more liturgical, with a repertoire of quite a bit of Catholic polyphonic music. This choir begins again in a week.

This choir has a one Sunday a month singing commitment and meets weekly for practice. I don’t know how I will feel when I go back. I may feel like I don’t belong there anymore.

I have always felt that the Lord has given me the gift of song for the edification of his people. I feel called to sing in the choir.

I attend the EF and frankly I don’t see a lot of room for women choir singers. Most of the time the all male schola sings and very occasionally, there will be one woman singer when there is polyphonic music.

Are there any converts who have been at a loss as to what to do when it comes to singing?

Are there women who attend traditional masses who have found opportunities for singing?

I would prefer to not sing at a Protestant service once a month but this choir is truly awesome.

Thanks.

Note: I’m not looking for a “You shouldn’t be attending any Protestant service” tongue-lashing. God is dealing with me on that.

Second Note: I am not interested in being a cantor and there are no female cantors at the traditional mass anyway.

 

[Bluegoat]

Look at it this way - if it were not for non_Catholic choirs, a lot of the best Christian liturgical music would never be sung. That would be a real shame. I’ve met many Catholics who didn’t know their own Catholic music before hearing it sung in non-Catholic churches, and it was a revelation to them.

 

[TrueLight]

Look at it this way - if it were not for non_Catholic choirs, a lot of the best Christian liturgical music would never be sung. That would be a real shame. I’ve met many Catholics who didn’t know their own Catholic music before hearing it sung in non-Catholic churches, and it was a revelation to them.

You’re preaching to the choir.

In this choir, we sing about 4 songs every time we sing: An introit, offertory, a short chorus right after the pastoral prayer and a short chorus right before the recessional. That is 48 different songs a year.

Also, we have 2 concerts a year (or more) where we sing at least 10 songs for each concert. So that’s almost 70 songs a year.

I cannot see myself giving that up for now.

The FSSP parish I attend on Sundays does have a mixed voice choir, but it doesn’t have the breadth of music. If it were local, I would consider joining it, and offer up the musical variety , but I wouldn’t be able to get to the practices.

 

[Musician]

I am a convert who also found the transition to Catholic music a wee bit difficult (I’m a professional pianist/mezzo soprano).
Coming from an Episcopalian background, I was used to getting paid well for my talents. This is not really the thing in Catholic churches, as I soon found out! Additionally, there always seemed to be men in the way and I was used to being the music director, instead of taking direction from men who were not trained and were simply in charge because they’d been there forever.
Additionally, and let’s be honest here, a lot of Catholic music has degenerated to the “Kumbaya” stage.
So…I put in several years of more teaching and playing/singing elsewhere, as well as volunteer in an obvious way at my parish to play/sing on MY timetable with MY music. During this time, I learned everything I could about all the musical settings to the Mass. I eventually got a paid position, but the sum was ridiculously low and the choir impervious to change of any sort.
Maybe God blessed my patience, because after getting that experience and doing all that study, it paid off two years ago when I landed an excellent position in a parish near mine as Resident Musician. I play and sing, and am also paid well. I am finally involved in beautiful sacred music that doesn’t sound like the needle’s stuck.The priest encourages Latin, and Gregorian chant, and plainsong, and ancient music. Gotta love it!
I am now glad that I put in the extra time that was so annoying but pretty instructive in how NOT to direct Catholic church music.

 

[Sarabande]

I’m a cradle Catholic, but I completely understand where all the posters are coming from. It has always seemed strange to me that I would have to sing at Protestant churches in order to sing so much of the vast Catholic repertoire… namely mostly Episcopalian and Anglican services and a few other high church mainline Protestant churches. It wasn’t until I joined a choir at our local Catholic Cathedral in college that we did polyphony, chant and other sacred choral motets for mass. That was a mix of men and women … mostly women and the masses were either Latin OF or English OF

Since then a few other more traditional parishes have started scholas. Unfortunately, though, most of them don’t have the funding to pay the musicians, but some have continued on. You get a lot of Catholic music students who want the experience or are very interested in keeping this music alive in the Church. Some have also made it a priority to pay for section leaders.

I have found, depending on the parish, you could find an EF mass which do include an equal number of female singers, although I have noticed that there is this push to go for all-male scholas and not have women sing at all in a couple of the parishes.

 

[EasterJoy]

Even if you usually attend the EF yourself, I’ll be blunt and say that a reverent singer who is attentive to the truth that they are not performing but helping to lead the assembly in worship is an asset to any liturgical choir. Keep in mind that sharing a choir with singers who make it a bit of a penance for you does not automatically mean you “don’t belong there.” It could be a very real service to your parish, so consider singing in the choir for NO Masses at your parish. It is not just your voice that contributes to the choir, after all, but your whole way of being at Mass. If all the people who are interested in “Him” and not “me” leave, after all, what will be left? Rather, look at self-centeredness as one danger inherent when maintaining the kind of self-attention that a good singer needs to have, and use that understanding to have compassion when you see a fellow singer fall into that fault.

If nothing else, your choir director would probably be very happy to have your help for the major Masses, such as for Christmas and Holy Week. Consider offering to do that, if the avenue is open.

As for the polyphony choir, the liturgical music of our heritage is being brought back almost from the edge of extinction. If a choir that is doing that work well wants your help, try to be there and join in it, even if the music is not going to be sung in its intended “habitat”. It still helps.

 

[sacredcello]

I agree with Easter Joy. Your talents would be appreciated by the music director at the Novus Ordo Masses in your parish. Your presence there might even challenge the director to expand the repertoire a bit and would either way be a blessing to many more parishioners than who attend the EF.

I am a convert from the Episcopal Church, but my experience is the reverse of yours. It was only when I converted to the Catholic faith and later moved to a city which had a flourishing music ministry, that I was exposed to the rich choral heritage that is ours. For about 7 years, I was a volunteer singer in the choir which had an 8-member schola (all paid) who were the section leaders. We sang in so many different languages and styles. Our music director was a brilliant scholar and musician. I am a professional cellist, so I was paid very well for special Masses on feast days and weddings and funerals. All that ended when I married and moved away to a small town. It is a severe penance for me to do volunteer singing and playing in my parish, but I don’t want to drive hours to attend Mass elsewhere. I believe God put me there to serve Him. I do enjoy singing in most styles, including Gregorian chant, polyphony (I am an alto), contemporary choral music, as well as a Mary Haugen tune here and there, however, my voice is not good enough to ever be a paid professional. I am considering becoming a cantor at my small parish, as none of the other volunteer cantors are professionals either. I’m not sure, though, because I am still a professional cellist, with high standards, so I am considering whether this is God’s will or not.

 

[Sarabande]

I agree with Easter Joy. Your talents would be appreciated by the music director at the Novus Ordo Masses in your parish. Your presence there might even challenge the director to expand the repertoire a bit and would either way be a blessing to many more parishioners than who attend the EF.

I am a convert from the Episcopal Church, but my experience is the reverse of yours. It was only when I converted to the Catholic faith and later moved to a city which had a flourishing music ministry, that I was exposed to the rich choral heritage that is ours. For about 7 years, I was a volunteer singer in the choir which had an 8-member schola (all paid) who were the section leaders. We sang in so many different languages and styles. Our music director was a brilliant scholar and musician. I am a professional cellist, so I was paid very well for special Masses on feast days and weddings and funerals. All that ended when I married and moved away to a small town. It is a severe penance for me to do volunteer singing and playing in my parish, but I don’t want to drive hours to attend Mass elsewhere. I believe God put me there to serve Him. I do enjoy singing in most styles, including Gregorian chant, polyphony (I am an alto), contemporary choral music, as well as a Mary Haugen tune here and there, however, my voice is not good enough to ever be a paid professional. I am considering becoming a cantor at my small parish, as none of the other volunteer cantors are professionals either. I’m not sure, though, because I am still a professional cellist, with high standards, so I am considering whether this is God’s will or not.

Believe me, I totally understand about having high standards. I’m a professional classical singer, so I know. But I think you should really do the cantoring, especially in your parish. Even if you may not have what you would consider a trained voice, you’ve had enough experience with music and with singing in a choir to have (I’m certain) a nice voice that can carry a tune and read music. Your parish will appreciate it. I’m so thankful for the experience of cantoring at my parish when I was a girl and just starting my voice lessons. Maybe you could take some voice lessons, if you still feel uncomfortable about doing it. Also, having an alto/mezzo voice tends to be better for the parishioner because they tend to have darker voice qualities and will naturally not sound like they are in the stratosphere because of it. The average person can have their ears tricked when they hear a natural soprano sing without much depth in the sound. Even if they are singing in the same key as a lower voiced singer, it will sometimes sound higher to the listener, so it discourages them from singing. This is only from my observation when people would come up to me and tell me that the soprano cantor always sang too high (I’m a mezzo) when in actuality, she sang in exactly the same key that I sang the hymns.

Go for it!!!

 

[Sarabande]

Also… ditto to what Easterjoy and Sacredcello said. I assumed that the choir you were talking about was for a Protestant church which was why you had reservations about staying. But if it is an OF parish choir, I’d say stick with it.

Although, even if it is a Protestant choir, you can always stay in that choir and still sing for your local parish. I know many professional musicians who do that. I’ve done it myself.

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Would you consider joining a non-church choir instead? It would give you an opportunity to sing without worrying whether it is appropriate or not.

 

[TrueLight]

Also… ditto to what Easterjoy and Sacredcello said. I assumed that the choir you were talking about was for a Protestant church which was why you had reservations about staying. But if it is an OF parish choir, I’d say stick with it.

Although, even if it is a Protestant choir, you can always stay in that choir and still sing for your local parish. I know many professional musicians who do that. I’ve done it myself.

The choir I like is in a Protestant church. I probably WOULD find more opportunities to sing at an OF mass, but…

 

[TrueLight]

Would you consider joining a non-church choir instead? It would give you an opportunity to sing without worrying whether it is appropriate or not.

Well part of why I feel fulfilled is because I know that we are blessing people and giving glory to God.

Sure I sing with other groups here and there, but it’s not the same.

 

[EasterJoy]

Well part of why I feel fulfilled is because I know that we are blessing people and giving glory to God.

Sure I sing with other groups here and there, but it’s not the same.

Why don’t you ask your pastor about the group you have in mind, and let him ask the pertinent questions? Since you are describing professional singing rather than participating in congregational worship, it may be the kind of thing that is possible, but that requires permission.

Many churches, including Catholic churches, hire or allow professional musicians who are not members of the faith, because of their special expertise or talent. It is worth asking.

 

[TrueLight]

Why don’t you ask your pastor about the group you have in mind, and let him ask the pertinent questions? Since you are describing professional singing rather than participating in congregational worship, it may be the kind of thing that is possible, but that requires permission.

Many churches, including Catholic churches, hire or allow professional musicians who are not members of the faith, because of their special expertise or talent. It is worth asking.

I did. He didn’t forbid it but he wasn’t thrilled about the idea.

 

[sacredcello]

I did. He didn’t forbid it but he wasn’t thrilled about the idea.

Cardinal Arinze would agree with your pastor:
youtube.com/watch?v=-4qyL4pR0Rk&feature=related

With that said, however, it is an entirely different matter if you are earning your living as a freelance musician and every gig really counts toward paying your rent, etc. I think this would qualify as an extraordinary situation. Nevertheless, I have often gone to confession about all of the various religious services, weddings, etc. for which I have provided music with my quartet, even including a few gay and lesbian weddings. This was before I knew that this was strictly forbidden for Catholics and my confessors did not tell me this.

 

[TrueLight]

Cardinal Arinze would agree with your pastor:
youtube.com/watch?v=-4qyL4pR0Rk&feature=related

With that said, however, it is an entirely different matter if you are earning your living as a freelance musician and every gig really counts toward paying your rent, etc. I think this would qualify as an extraordinary situation. Nevertheless, I have often gone to confession about all of the various religious services, weddings, etc. for which I have provided music with my quartet, even including a few gay and lesbian weddings. This was before I knew that this was strictly forbidden for Catholics and my confessors did not tell me this.

Hmm. Good video.

No, I don’t rely on it to earn my living as I do have a 9-5. However, I do take regular classical voice lessons, so it helps me to practice also.

Well pray for me.

My pastor told me to pray about it as well.

 

[TrueLight]

So far I have been to two practices this season with the Protestant choir. I was anxious but it was fine. I shall have to see how I feel when we sing at the service.

Anyway, as an example of the repertoire we have, here are four of the songs we are singing in two weeks because it will be world communion Sunday (and no I’m not taking communion):

Ubi Caritas

Jabula Jesu


Esto Les Digo (

Blagoslovi, Dushe Moya,
Ghospoda

So I just posted this as an example of the breadth of music we cover and why it would be hard for me to leave.

 

[CB_Catholic]

So far I have been to two practices this season with the Protestant choir. I was anxious but it was fine. I shall have to see how I feel when we sing at the service.

Anyway, as an example of the repertoire we have, here are four of the songs we are singing in two weeks because it will be world communion Sunday (and no I’m not taking communion):

Ubi Caritas

Jabula Jesu


Esto Les Digo (

Blagoslovi, Dushe Moya,
Ghospoda

So I just posted this as an example of the breadth of music we cover and why it would be hard for me to leave.

You know, it’s not as if this is a pagan service and you are singing with people worshipping false Gods. You are singing for Christians and giving glory to God and helping to keep our Catholic musical tradition alive and well for the whole world to enjoy, even if the church isn’t Catholic. How many people are as privileged as you are to be able to sing in such a choir? I don’t think you will lose your faith over this. You are an adult, you should be able to to sing in such a choir and enjoy this without having to answer to anbody but yourself and God, and I can’t see where God would object. He is, after all, God of the Protestants, too.

 

[Hmgbrd]

I would keep in mind this: St. Augustine said: “When you sing in worship, you pray twice”. I am sure He will hear you wherever you are.

 

[TrueLight]

You know, it’s not as if this is a pagan service and you are singing with people worshipping false Gods.

Ha ha, you made me laugh.

You are singing for Christians and giving glory to God and helping to keep our Catholic musical tradition alive and well for the whole world to enjoy, even if the church isn’t Catholic. How many people are as privileged as you are to be able to sing in such a choir? I don’t think you will lose your faith over this. You are an adult, you should be able to to sing in such a choir and enjoy this without having to answer to anbody but yourself and God, and I can’t see where God would object. He is, after all, God of the Protestants, too.

I appreciate this.