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teachccd
Guest
SMHW;2218512:
Yes and thank you…teachccd
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Holland
Guest
Believe me, its not just Hollywood. They clap at the end of Mass all the time where I live. Everyone who serves during Mass gets a round of applause. It drives me crazy.
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teachccd
Guest
Believe me, its not just Hollywood. They clap at the end of Mass all the time where I live. Everyone who serves during Mass gets a round of applause. It drives me crazy.
What to do??
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Sarabande
Guest
I agree that applause after mass is inappropriate. I also believe, though, that most congregants are well-meaning and just don’t realize that it is inappropriate. It’s difficult for the musicians to tell the people that shouldn’t applaud. I’m a cantor and soloist and it’s very embarrassing when I’ve been applauded. Those people are very appreciative, so I think it would be equally rude of me to say to them over the mic, “I’m sorry you should not be applauding me. I’m doing this for God.” I think what would be best is if the pastor puts something it in the weekly bulletin regarding applause every week or maybe place it in the announcements prior to mass. I know at our Cathedral, the choir and organist get applauded A LOT. They do excellent choral and organ compositions for the high masses. Most of the congregants are visitors from other cities and countries and many have approached the musicians complimenting them and thanking them for music they usually don’t get to hear at their parishes. Our organist is probably the best in the city and I can safely say he can outplay almost anyone with his musical abilities and genius on the organ and the piano since he is classically trained as a concert pianist as well. But he also does not want applause because he looks at the music as a prayer, not a performance. Many times he is jolted out of his prayer and meditation at the end of his playing when the clapping occurs.
The thing is, too, most church musicians are not doing it for the applause and glory. Once the applauding becomes the norm, some people think that this is what the musicians want (it usually isn’t) and that they are showing off their talents (that is also usually not the case). It gives musicians a bad reputation of being “attention whores”. I’ve seen this happen to some of my colleagues and it wasn’t fair to them and the more talented they were, the worse the assumptions.
If a good musician wanted to “perform” they would do performances outside of church - which is what I and many of my colleagues do. I don’t actually “perform” when I “perform” in church.
I’m actually praying, but using my singing voice or whatever other instrument to pray. It’s sometimes hard to separate the perfectionism of a musician from the pure spiritual aspects of music, which is why spiritual meditation before singing is very important for me.
Anyway, those are my thoughts on it.
The thing is, too, most church musicians are not doing it for the applause and glory. Once the applauding becomes the norm, some people think that this is what the musicians want (it usually isn’t) and that they are showing off their talents (that is also usually not the case). It gives musicians a bad reputation of being “attention whores”. I’ve seen this happen to some of my colleagues and it wasn’t fair to them and the more talented they were, the worse the assumptions.
If a good musician wanted to “perform” they would do performances outside of church - which is what I and many of my colleagues do. I don’t actually “perform” when I “perform” in church.
I’m actually praying, but using my singing voice or whatever other instrument to pray. It’s sometimes hard to separate the perfectionism of a musician from the pure spiritual aspects of music, which is why spiritual meditation before singing is very important for me.Anyway, those are my thoughts on it.
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teachccd
Guest
And very good thoughts are they…I agree that applause after mass is inappropriate. I also believe, though, that most congregants are well-meaning and just don’t realize that it is inappropriate. It’s difficult for the musicians to tell the people that shouldn’t applaud. I’m a cantor and soloist and it’s very embarrassing when I’ve been applauded. Those people are very appreciative, so I think it would be equally rude of me to say to them over the mic, “I’m sorry you should not be applauding me. I’m doing this for God.” I think what would be best is if the pastor puts something it in the weekly bulletin regarding applause every week or maybe place it in the announcements prior to mass. I know at our Cathedral, the choir and organist get applauded A LOT. They do excellent choral and organ compositions for the high masses. Most of the congregants are visitors from other cities and countries and many have approached the musicians complimenting them and thanking them for music they usually don’t get to hear at their parishes. Our organist is probably the best in the city and I can safely say he can outplay almost anyone with his musical abilities and genius on the organ and the piano since he is classically trained as a concert pianist as well. But he also does not want applause because he looks at the music as a prayer, not a performance. Many times he is jolted out of his prayer and meditation at the end of his playing when the clapping occurs.
The thing is, too, most church musicians are not doing it for the applause and glory. Once the applauding becomes the norm, some people think that this is what the musicians want (it usually isn’t) and that they are showing off their talents (that is also usually not the case). It gives musicians a bad reputation of being “attention whores”. I’ve seen this happen to some of my colleagues and it wasn’t fair to them and the more talented they were, the worse the assumptions.
If a good musician wanted to “perform” they would do performances outside of church - which is what I and many of my colleagues do. I don’t actually “perform” when I “perform” in church.
Anyway, those are my thoughts on it.
teachccd
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maryjk
Guest
We get birthday clapping. 
Just before the final blessing, we have a few announcements. Then we ask anyone new or visiting to stand. Everyone claps. Then we are asked if there is any other “good news.” Birthdays, anniversaries and the like then get mentioned and everyone claps. Sometimes it is only a couple. Sometimes it seems that every small child has to stand up and say that their Aunt, Great-Grandma or other relative not in attendance just had a birthday.
More clapping.
We then get to stand for our final blessing.
Our Priest seems so true to the GRIM. But this clapping really bothers me.
The one time it didn’t bother me was when our priest was named monsignor. I was clapping too.
Just before the final blessing, we have a few announcements. Then we ask anyone new or visiting to stand. Everyone claps. Then we are asked if there is any other “good news.” Birthdays, anniversaries and the like then get mentioned and everyone claps. Sometimes it is only a couple. Sometimes it seems that every small child has to stand up and say that their Aunt, Great-Grandma or other relative not in attendance just had a birthday.
More clapping.We then get to stand for our final blessing.
Our Priest seems so true to the GRIM. But this clapping really bothers me.
The one time it didn’t bother me was when our priest was named monsignor. I was clapping too.
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sconea
Guest
Clapping at Mass is an innovation that almost always acknowledges human achievement. The only time it is prescribed in the Mass, I believe, is at an ordination. As Cardinal Jospeh Ratzinger said in the Spirit of the Liturgy, “Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment.”
rtforum.org/lt/lt92.html
rtforum.org/lt/lt92.html
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MusicMan
Guest
This statement really bothers me. It makes me feel like when people clap after Mass for the musicians, we have done something wrong that has made us into religious entertainment. I work exceptionally hard to select music that is appropriate for the Mass in question, and singable by the congregation. If I’ve done my job, the only thanks I should get is that they sing. Yet they clap for the job I’ve done, and I’m reduced to religious entertainment.
Makes me consider giving up music ministry.
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Potato1
Guest
IMO and this is in no way directed at you personally because I have never heard you or been to the Mass at which you do you music thing. I believe that is ALL most “bands” at churches have become, nothing more than religious entertainment. I have been to Christian concerts that have had more reverence and respect for the Majesty of Our King. Religious entertainment is not a bad thing, it is a calling as well it just isn’t a liturgical thing. Chant is where it is at!This statement really bothers me. It makes me feel like when people clap after Mass for the musicians, we have done something wrong that has made us into religious entertainment. I work exceptionally hard to select music that is appropriate for the Mass in question, and singable by the congregation. If I’ve done my job, the only thanks I should get is that they sing. Yet they clap for the job I’ve done, and I’m reduced to religious entertainment.
Makes me consider giving up music ministry.
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teachccd
Guest
No, no, no. The psalms were sung by the Jews and music is a gift from God. Saint Augustine said that the person who sings prays twice. People at Mass need more catechesis concerning the true meaning of the Liturgy. You are in a much needed ministry. You should not take this personal no more than I would quit being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion because people behave improperly, (and they do)Makes me consider giving up music ministry.
As long as in your heart you know why you are there then your ministry is fulfilling and glorifies God. Do not quit. What a shame it would be if any of us quit our ministries because of the uneducated few who sometimes influence the majority.
God Bless you and keep up the good work which is what Liturgy is…teachccd
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Holland
Guest
If you have any influence at all in your parish you might suggest that they not clap. I can tell you from my own perspective that as long as they clap I will not be involved in singing in the choir at our Parish. I know of several other people who feel the same. So what you have is some people not becoming involved in the Music Ministry because of the clapping. In older churches the choir loft and organ was always at the back of the church. The music floated over the congregation. In our church everything is up by the altar, so not only do you have to endure the clapping, everyone is focused on you while they clap. Not a good thing.This statement really bothers me. It makes me feel like when people clap after Mass for the musicians, we have done something wrong that has made us into religious entertainment. I work exceptionally hard to select music that is appropriate for the Mass in question, and singable by the congregation. If I’ve done my job, the only thanks I should get is that they sing. Yet they clap for the job I’ve done, and I’m reduced to religious entertainment.
Makes me consider giving up music ministry.
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roxyspaniel
Guest
Our family goes to church in Hawaii, after mass the priest always has the congregation clap for the altar servers, choir, park and safety people who watch over our cars and for the congregation who is attending mass. So basically everyone gets some kind of appreciation shown towards them, except for the priest himself.
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MusicMan
Guest
Because of the secular position I hold in the community, admonishing the congregation would be something of political suicide.
However…
The faculty at the high school I teach at aren’t expected to attend Baccalaureate, however as the school’s band director, I usually sing with the school’s choir for this event – the faculty are invited to join them for this.
Baccalaureate is held at the church I belong to, and our Contemporary Music Ministry (which I am not a part of) provides the rest of the music for the service. As usual, I was invited to sit in on keyboards with them. At the end of the service, right when the “usual suspects” began the applause, Father bellowed an invitation to the reception in the Gathering Space. The applause ceased, and I leaned over to the rest of the Contemporary Choir members are said, “And the Pope doesn’t like it when they clap either.” To my surprise, the head of this group said to me, “Neither do we. Wish we could make 'em stop.”
Incidentally, the school choir’s piece was excellent, and no one clapped.
However…
The faculty at the high school I teach at aren’t expected to attend Baccalaureate, however as the school’s band director, I usually sing with the school’s choir for this event – the faculty are invited to join them for this.
Baccalaureate is held at the church I belong to, and our Contemporary Music Ministry (which I am not a part of) provides the rest of the music for the service. As usual, I was invited to sit in on keyboards with them. At the end of the service, right when the “usual suspects” began the applause, Father bellowed an invitation to the reception in the Gathering Space. The applause ceased, and I leaned over to the rest of the Contemporary Choir members are said, “And the Pope doesn’t like it when they clap either.” To my surprise, the head of this group said to me, “Neither do we. Wish we could make 'em stop.”
Incidentally, the school choir’s piece was excellent, and no one clapped.
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rcguy
Guest
I myself am a former assistant choir director, and pianist. After playing the Recessional, there were always people who applauded. Although it was personally appreciated, my feelings were (and are) that what had just happened was NOT a performance in any way, shape or form. It was merely a part of the Mass. Does anyone clap for a Priest who gives a great sermon? Or for people who just delivered the gifts up at the Alter? Call me old-fashioned, I don’t care, but my personal belief is that the church is not the place for applause.
rcguy.
rcguy.
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MusicMan
Guest
Perform is not the right word, but I know no other.
At Mass, it must be the greatest and best performance a musician is capable of. We are there to facilitate the worship of others through music. We must always perform at the highest standard to allow this to happen.
I remember getting into an argument with the pianist for the choir of the last church I belonged to. She was struggling with Send Down the Fire, which is frought with meter changes. Finally, after not being able to get them, she shouted, “But, it’s not a performance!”
We cannot allow that to be an excuse for poor musicianship. It is a performance. Through our musicianship, we are helping the congregation to perform for the Lord.
I don’t care for the applause, because it shouldn’t be about me. If they sing well, then I cope with the applause by believing I have selected appropriate music to facilitate their worship of the Lord.
At Mass, it must be the greatest and best performance a musician is capable of. We are there to facilitate the worship of others through music. We must always perform at the highest standard to allow this to happen.
I remember getting into an argument with the pianist for the choir of the last church I belonged to. She was struggling with Send Down the Fire, which is frought with meter changes. Finally, after not being able to get them, she shouted, “But, it’s not a performance!”
We cannot allow that to be an excuse for poor musicianship. It is a performance. Through our musicianship, we are helping the congregation to perform for the Lord.
I don’t care for the applause, because it shouldn’t be about me. If they sing well, then I cope with the applause by believing I have selected appropriate music to facilitate their worship of the Lord.
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teachccd
Guest
My view exactly…teachccd
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Sarabande
Guest
I couldn’t agree with you more!!!
To not give my absolute best as a musician would seem like an insult and a slap to the face to my Father who had blessed me with musicianship. It’s my ultimate form of prayer to God. Of course, no one is perfect and we all have our off days, but that gives me no excuse to accept a mediocre prayer for each time that I pray with music. When I have given my best either in church or on the secular concert stage and someone comes up to me thanking me for helping them feel deeper in their spirituality by leading them in song or for touching a non-religious listener deep in the soul and the heart, I know that I have done my job by allowing myself to be used purely as a vessel for God rather than the earthly ego. I know Beethoven said this, but I believe it to be true: “Music is the mediator between the spiritual and sensual life.” As musicians, I believe we must always strive to put away our egos and allow music which I believe to be one of the languages of God, to run through us, though the instrument and to the people. They will see, hear, feel and sing the Truth.
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MH84
Guest
In a parish I have been to the last couple of years, we clap hands after the choir sings the “Hallelujah” after the Easter Masses (quite beautifully mind you). I seem to have like many Catholics here rather orthodox, maybe even conservative thoughts to liturgical practices etc. but I have to admit I don’t have that much of a problem with this practice. But if it is strictly not allowed by the Church, I would like to think I will not clap during or after the Mass. I am disturbed however, when after the more “contemporary” music is played during a particular Sunday evening Mass, there is a clapping.
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