Disappointed!

[roadsend]

So who exactly is in charge here, the pastor of the parish or the volunteer choir?

I agree that the “right thing” here is very clear; do as father asks.

Volunteer means volunteer. Unless these folks committed to an anything goes music program for Mass they have absolutely no obligation to follow through when the rug is pulled out from under them. As individual Catholics they have every right to attend Mass when and where they choose.
Although the padre is in charge and can order any licit music he might choose for his Masses, he has no right to compel any volunteer to sing this music.

 

[Elizium23]

He also killed our Communion anthem in the same stroke-- the venerable “Alleluia Chorus” by GF Handel. We haven’t even got a backup anthem.

Many choirs have the misconception that an “anthem” or a “meditation” hymn is to be sung after the communion antiphon/chant. Quite the reverse is true. The GIRM is clear in that if a chant is sung after the distribution of communion, it is to be sung by all the people. And this is an operative concept that should be observed for most of the singing offered in a Mass; perhaps your pastor is trying to reinforce this? The Mass is not a performance, and the choir is not the star of the show. The center of the liturgy is the Eucharist, and the people are called to “full, active, and conscious participation” which means that the cantor and the choir must lead the people in song. That is our ministry of the Word.

 

[Sarabande]

Volunteer means volunteer. Unless these folks committed to an anything goes music program for Mass they have absolutely no obligation to follow through when the rug is pulled out from under them. As individual Catholics they have every right to attend Mass when and where they choose.
Although the padre is in charge and can order any licit music he might choose for his Masses, he has no right to compel any volunteer to sing this music.

In one regard, this is true. I know that if I was volunteering, I’d want to volunteer in something I believed in. If I didn’t believe the music liturgy was not adding to the prayer and helping with prayer, and the music director nor the pastor had any plans to change this, I probably would not continue to volunteer. That said, I still believe it is not right to just walk out or stage some sort of a protest. A civilised one-on-one talk with the pastor is needed or just stop volunteering after the holidays and maybe even state your reasons in a letter or in person… still in a civilised, respectful manner.

I’ve seen the effect of what choir protests and walk-outs do on the day of a mass to skunk the pastor or music director and, whether or not I agree with the reasons for the “protest”, it will always make the choir look low-class and full of ego (even if that is not what they are and is not their intention.) It gives the impression of exalted pride and that they only care about themselves, rather than the congregation or any of the other choir members and instrumentalists who decided not to walk out. If civilised talks don’t work, then by all means, quit, but not in the middle of a mass.

 

[Cristiano]

Volunteer means volunteer. Unless these folks committed to an anything goes music program for Mass they have absolutely no obligation to follow through when the rug is pulled out from under them. As individual Catholics they have every right to attend Mass when and where they choose.
Although the padre is in charge and can order any licit music he might choose for his Masses, he has no right to compel any volunteer to sing this music.

Lack of legal obligation does not imply lack of moral obligation. A commitment to a ministry in support to the liturgy is a specific commitment to God.

 

[roadsend]

I did not mean to imply in any way that any sort of organized protest type resignation was in order. I simply said that there was no legal or moral imperative for an individual to sing music that that individual is not comfortable singing.
Although I have sung in several choirs, I would never commit to sing what I hear at Mass almost every Sunday.
The OP asked for opinions and got mine along with others. It is now up to the OP to select one of the several less than perfect options offered.

 

[Timothysis]

Volunteer means volunteer. Unless these folks committed to an anything goes music program for Mass they have absolutely no obligation to follow through when the rug is pulled out from under them. As individual Catholics they have every right to attend Mass when and where they choose.
Although the padre is in charge and can order any licit music he might choose for his Masses, he has no right to compel any volunteer to sing this music.

The complaint is not that father is trying to compel the choir to sing anything but that he asked that they not sing certain selections. It is the OP who acts as if father has an obligation to let them sing what they want, when they want.

And I agree that they have a right to attend Mass when and where they choose. The OP’s intent is to stage some sort of coup to compel father to let them sing their chosen selections. I, and many others here, do not think that that is the appropriate path to follow. I honestly don’t understand the point of your post.

 

[Kit15]

I’ve seen the effect of what choir protests and walk-outs do on the day of a mass to skunk the pastor or music director and, whether or not I agree with the reasons for the “protest”, it will always make the choir look low-class and full of ego (even if that is not what they are and is not their intention.) It gives the impression of exalted pride and that they only care about themselves, rather than the congregation or any of the other choir members and instrumentalists who decided not to walk out. If civilised talks don’t work, then by all means, quit, but not in the middle of a mass.

This is exactly true…this is exactly how I would feel if I saw grown men and women behaving this way. I’ve been in church choir. I completely understand the feelings of anger, resentment and the sense of being completely unappreciated for what you do. That is a LOT of work to be completely disregarded and you do have every right to feel as hurt and angry about it as you do.

But…I also understand parents when they assert their authority against a rebellious child. I think it’s unwise to hope that the pastor will change his mind in an effort to placate you. It may happen. The congregation’s reaction the situation may be worth that to you. But if it doesn’t…not only have you not succeeded in sending your message, you now have to deal the fact that you’ve now earned the reputation Sarabande describes.

To be honest, dealing with it in this way is a giant race to the bottom where you might end up wishing you didn’t try so hard to win it. I think you may be overestimating the support of congregation. Your music may be missed but no one wants to watch a bunch of grown men and women engage in a very public power struggle at Christmas…or any other time for that matter. My bet is that they will regret having witnessed your protest far more than they will ever regret not hearing your music.

It’ll make for a lot of conversation around a lot of dinner tables that’s for sure.

 

[Cat]

Volunteer means volunteer. Unless these folks committed to an anything goes music program for Mass they have absolutely no obligation to follow through when the rug is pulled out from under them. As individual Catholics they have every right to attend Mass when and where they choose.
Although the padre is in charge and can order any licit music he might choose for his Masses, he has no right to compel any volunteer to sing this music.

Of course you’re right and volunteers can walk away at any time.

But what a mean thing to do!–walk away for the Midnight Mass and leave a few loyal souls to sing the music of the happiest Mass of the year all by themselves. That’s just mean-spirited and not worthy of Christians who claim to be disciples of the Lord Jesus Who was incarnate as a human being and underwent without complaint all the human experiences that many of the rest of us gripe about!!! What a horrible example for children and young people–“if you don’t like something, just quit.”

Those singers made a commitment to sing on Christmas Morning at the Midnight Mass and by golly, they should gird up their loins and fulfil their obligation!!!

If they want to walk away, they should wait until AFTER they have done their duty, and then un-volunteer.

 

[ilySHJ]

The discussion is interesting … looking to the priest as Father, in a sense we are children and subject to his decisions.

Let’s say, as a parent, I do something wrong, and my child corrects me. The nature of a parent-child relationship is for instruction to flow from the parent to the child. My child’s correction is unlikely to affect my decision. That’s the nature of our relationship. The child may be right, but I may not be receptive to his correction.

In a sense, the priest-parishioner relationship has that same nature. He’s not likely to be receptive to “disciplinary” measures from choir members.

The choir is volunteer. imho, they have no obligation. Why should they be subject to a miserable Christmas Mass? The expection was to sing the music they had practiced. Sounds like the priest changed that expectation.

The priest chose music that he feels is more “pew-friendly.” If he’s chosen well, the absence of a choir will be unnoticable. When our priest choses a hymn everyone knows, the singing is robust!

Discussing it with other choir members could lead to uncharitable conversations - never good. If one quietly chooses to attend Mass elsewhere, then the door should be open to return.

 

[bmadamsberry]

The choir is volunteer. imho, they have no obligation. Why should they be subject to a miserable Christmas Mass? The expection was to sing the music they had practiced. Sounds like the priest changed that expectation.

The priest chose music that he feels is more “pew-friendly.” If he’s chosen well, the absence of a choir will be unnoticable. When our priest choses a hymn everyone knows, the singing is robust!

Discussing it with other choir members could lead to uncharitable conversations - never good. If one quietly chooses to attend Mass elsewhere, then the door should be open to return.

They’ve volunteered to be in the choir, but because of the shortness of time before the Christmas Mass, they’ve (in a sense) promised to perform that. There is an obligation to perform for the Christmas Mass, because of the shortness of time. In contract law, we would call this economic duress (the good or service here being the singing).

Volunteerism is not at the sole discretion of the individual. If we start building a house for Habitat for Humanity, and then suddenly decide we don’t like the look of the house so we’re just going to quit, then that leaves Habitat in quite a difficult position! Instead, we have an obligation to complete that project, after which time we can choose not to build any more houses.

Essentially, a volunteer does not promise to be in the organization permanently (i.e., you are in the organization at your own will), but you have made a commitment to complete the current project you are working on.

 

[roadsend]

They’ve volunteered to be in the choir, but because of the shortness of time before the Christmas Mass, they’ve (in a sense) promised to perform that. There is an obligation to perform for the Christmas Mass, because of the shortness of time. In contract law, we would call this economic duress (the good or service here being the singing).

Volunteerism is not at the sole discretion of the individual. If we start building a house for Habitat for Humanity, and then suddenly decide we don’t like the look of the house so we’re just going to quit, then that leaves Habitat in quite a difficult position! Instead, we have an obligation to complete that project, after which time we can choose not to build any more houses.

Essentially, a volunteer does not promise to be in the organization permanently (i.e., you are in the organization at your own will), but you have made a commitment to complete the current project you are working on.

Uh, who is responsible for the “shortness of time”?
The “commitment to complete the current project you are working on” was abrogated when the “project (music)” was thrown out in favor of a new “project (music)”.

 

[bmadamsberry]

Uh, who is responsible for the “shortness of time”?
The “commitment to complete the current project you are working on” was abrogated when the “project (music)” was thrown out in favor of a new “project (music)”.

Disagree. The priest is the ultimate arbitrator of what music is used and played. If the Deacon is planning on giving the homily, and then the priest says that instead he will give it, does that mean that the Deacon can just up and leave? Even more so, the priest is reliant upon the choir to provide beautiful music.

Furthermore, the project was to sing at the Christmas Mass, not to sing particular songs.

Was it inconsiderate of the priest? Maybe. We don’t know all of the facts here. It could be that something important behind the scenes was taking place. But whether it was or wasn’t does not change the fact that the commitment was made that they would perform for Christmas Mass.

Let’s also remember that it’s not like the priest asked the choir to change all of their music. It is only for the Kyrie and the Gloria. It’s not like he asked them to change all of their music. And, again, we don’t know all of the background information about why.

Either way, the choir would be leaving the priest in the lurch. Perform for the Christmas Mass, and then quit.

 

[Sarabande]

Either way, the choir would be leaving the priest in the lurch. Perform for the Christmas Mass, and then quit.

Exactly… and it’s not just leaving the priest in a lurch. More importantly, it would be leaving the entire congregation, the music director and any other volunteer musicians who decided to stay, in a lurch. It’s not fair or right to them and as I mentioned in a previous post, it just makes the choir look bad. If the choir can’t get the new pieces sounding great in time because of the priest’s choice, then the priest will learn from the mistake of making a last minute change like that and I would hope make sure not to do that again. He might also appreciate the effort the choir made to accommodate his decision and will think twice next time before wanting to substitute music at the last minute And I would hope the choir members would recognize that. Thus, no bad feelings against anyone.

 

[Cristiano]

Uh, who is responsible for the “shortness of time”?
The “commitment to complete the current project you are working on” was abrogated when the “project (music)” was thrown out in favor of a new “project (music)”.

Do you understand the concept of commitment to God even when things do not go our way? Playing legal loopholes with God has never been an smart thing to do, we are so indebted to him that we have to these challenges on and be grateful for them.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I just read this entire thread, and I certainly hope that the OP is over her hurt and disappointment and will perform the Mass as her priest wished. It would be so childish to protest and pout, or worse, boycott the entire parish! I can only imagine the disruption this would cause within the parish, and things would not improve for the choir from that point forward. It’s understandable to think about that kind of revenge, but not to undertake it.

 

[Spoken4]

Actually, yet another change was made-- this time, to the “setting” of the Black Mountain Liturgy’s Gloria.

Instead of singing it as written and as everyone knows it, the “Glory to God In the Highest” refrain was changed to the “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” from the carol, Angels We Have Heard On High. We rehearsed it a couple of times… andI really thought that it sounded AWFUL! That poor congregation would have been utterly confused, and it probably would have been worse than having them “endure” 3 minutes of not singing the Haydn. The rest of the Mass setting outside the Kyrie and the Gloria was going to be the familiar BML… the Haydn was only for the Kyrie and the Gloria.

You see, we USED to do a Latin musical setting for ALL of the Mass parts-- Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, etc. But Father scrapped that as soon as he came to the parish 4-5 years ago and pared it down to just the Gloria and the Kyrie. Okay, that’s fine… and I totally understand the rationale. But he did that with MONTHS and MONTHS for everyone to prepare for it, not less than a week before the Mass, and certainly not after the choir and soloists had busted their-- um, vocal cords-- to prepare. To use the Habitat for Humanity example, what happened here is like having the volunteers tear down a house that they so lovingly built and trimmed out, and totally rebuild it a week before the recipient family is scheduled to move in.

Long and short, I turned in my music that evening (with no drama) and quietly submitted a request for an audition with a neighboring parish’s choirs. They have several different choirs of various skill levels and based on the audition, the Director determines which choir is best for the member-to-be.

Based on my audition, I’ll be singing with their Schola (a HUGE honor) and their “top choir” starting after the first of the year. Because I can sight-read and sing well by ear (as well as harmonize spontaneously if so needed) and know most of the music that they’re singing since I’ve sung them before in other choirs, I was asked if I’d like to sing with them on Christmas Eve at their Midnight Mass. I politely declined to sing with them just yet, and accepted the invitation to attend their Midnight Mass. (Ironically, the director of the choir that I left USED to be the “new church’s” Music director for quite a few years. When I mentioned what choir I was leaving, this music director’s eyes just lit up and his jaw hit the floor!)

I’ve been a chorist and Cantor for MANY, MANY years in other parishes and have NEVER had any priest just change things up on such short notice as this pastor has done. If a change was desired, we generally had a few weeks to accommodate-- not 6 days before a MAJOR holiday, and certainly NOT when we were preparing for a concert as well.

I did my best to create no drama and I wasn’t the least bit hateful or anything. I just quietly said that I was no longer able to sing with the group anymore and ‘with a heavy heart’, I was resigning. Gave the director a hug and wished her and the choir all the best, promised to pray for them, and wished them peace… then I left. No fingerpointing, nothing bad said about the pastor or any of that. Just, “I’m sorry, but I’m no longer able to sing with you all anymore” and not much past that.

Believe me, though, I cried hard when I was out of sight…

 

[Spoken4]

P.S.-- the Music Director that I “left” did say that if I wanted to return at any time, I was more than welcome. So there was no animosity of any kind. She thinks that I’m just needing a break for “personal reasons”, and considering that I truly DO have outside things going on that are taking some of my energy, it’s not dishonest for me to go along with that so as not to hurt her feelings. She’s not the one who caused this “mess”, after all. She’s just the messenger in this case, and it would have been wrong for me to say anything disparaging or negative about Father. So, I just left it at that.