Holy Thursday - - Instruments at Mass

[27lw]

I’ve been reading some citations that instruments (specifically organ) are supposed to be silent from the Gloria on Holy Thursday, until the Gloria at the Easter Vigil Mass. Does this still apply, or is this EF use? I don’t think our parish’s music directors follows this, and I’m wondering whether to play my instrument at Mass tonight…

 

[newcalling]

Wow, I hope not. Our church just got a piano donated, and our choir director is excited to start using it tonight instead of the electronic keyboard she has had to use for years. We also have a violinist, and since it’s a bilingual service the Spanish language choir will be playing their guitars. We practiced with piano, but I suppose we can sing our parts without it if they decide that it’s against tradition. I think that the plan is to use them though, so I doubt that it’s a rule now (assuming it was before, I’m new to Catholicism.)

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

You might find this article and comments at PrayTell to be helpful: When should the organ (not) be used?

As for whether you should play tonight, I think that’s a decision that should have been made some time ago. Are you the one authorized to make decisions about liturgy and music? What is the pastor’s opinion? Is the choir expecting to sing with or without accompaniment? What is normally done in your parish?

 

[27lw]

Okay, I just found this paragraph:
On the issue of organ music from Gloria to Gloria (Holy Thursday to Easter Vigil), the Roman Missal says, “During the same period [Gloria-Gloria], the organ and other musical instruments may be used only so as to support the singing.” [Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper, rubric #7] This does no more than officially extend the rules for Lent (which has ended prior to the Holy Thursday Mass) through the Triduum. This would be the minimum expectation (using organ only for accompaniment). If a parish wanted to go beyond this (the traditional position, and one I would strongly advocate) and turn the organ off completely from Gloria to Gloria, there is nothing in any document that prohibits this. The rubrics only tell us when the organ should not be played; they don’t ever specify times when the organ must be played.

The tradition of not using the organ at all during this period has certain benefits:

It clearly delineates this time as being separate from Lent. Gone are the violet vestments; our attention is now focused on a most special three-day period (Triduum) which is treated liturgically as one grand celebration, beginning with the Introit on Holy Thursday and ending with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday.
 
It allows the most meditative and introspective congregational singing of the year. How poorly we treat our congregations with a constant barrage of organ accompaniment, sometimes to the point that they can't even hear themselves over the organ. Even worse is the despicable, ubiquitous, demeaning practice of positioning a cantor in front of a microphone every time the congregation is asked to sing anything! I would say, at least during this Gloria-Gloria period, to turn the organ off, turn the microphone off, have a good, well-rehearsed choir present, and finally let the people hear their own sung praise! The unifying benefit of corporate singing comes from relying on each other, not from mimicking an amplified, electronic voice.

---

From:
canticanova.com/articles/feedback/arte81.htm

 

[27lw]

You might find this article and comments at PrayTell to be helpful: When should the organ (not) be used?

As for whether you should play tonight, I think that’s a decision that should have been made some time ago. Are you the one authorized to make decisions about liturgy and music? What is the pastor’s opinion? Is the choir expecting to sing with or without accompaniment? What is normally done in your parish?

No, thankfully I do not have to make the big decisions. I just decide on my own whether or not I will play along. I had been planning to play, but I am now reading and thinking about whether this is the best plan. Whether or now the music director wants to follow the guidelines is not really my call.

 

[Gertabelle]

I’m only in charge of the music for Easter Sunday, so this doesn’t pertain to me.

But at my old parish, where I played the piano, the choir director always had us sing a capella on Good Friday. It was the only day of the year when I got to sing instead of play.

Honestly, I just thought it was something she had decided to do on her own. I had no idea it was in the GIRM.

Thanks for pointing this out. I’ll bring it up with the priest in charge of liturgy after Easter – maybe in the summer.

Incidentally, at the mass where I choose the music, I’ve hardly played the organ at all throughout lent. Last Sunday I turned off the organ after the Gospel acclamation. Our congregation has no problem singing without it, and we can hear them (even from the choir loft) when the organ is off.

God bless everyone’s Triduum and Easter!!

 

[His_helpmeet]

I’m only in charge of the music for Easter Sunday, so this doesn’t pertain to me.

But at my old parish, where I played the piano, the choir director always had us sing a capella on Good Friday. It was the only day of the year when I got to sing instead of play.

Honestly, I just thought it was something she had decided to do on her own. I had no idea it was in the GIRM.

Thanks for pointing this out. I’ll bring it up with the priest in charge of liturgy after Easter – maybe in the summer.

Incidentally, at the mass where I choose the music, I’ve hardly played the organ at all throughout lent. Last Sunday I turned off the organ after the Gospel acclamation. Our congregation has no problem singing without it, and we can hear them (even from the choir loft) when the organ is off.

God bless everyone’s Triduum and Easter!!

Yes, my understanding is that on Good Friday, at least, you are NOT to use instruments. You ARE allowed to play the first note to pitch the hymn, but that’s it - you sing a cappella.

 

[Neofight]

Sometimes I feel sad for people who spend more time dotting the is and crossing the ts of the rubrics and GIRM rather than getting caught up in the spirit of the Mass.

I know those things are important, but what good are they if you don’t receive and spread the gospel with complete joy and abandon!

Peace and all good!

 

[27lw]

Sometimes I feel sad for people who spend more time dotting the is and crossing the ts of the rubrics and GIRM rather than getting caught up in the spirit of the Mass.

I know those things are important, but what good are they if you don’t receive and spread the gospel with complete joy and abandon!

Peace and all good!

I guess you feel sorry for me. I don’t think it’s wrong to try to do my part the right way. I usually don’t get “caught up” in the spirit of the Mass because I am looking at the sheet music for the next piece, etc. Lots and lots of choir members and instrumentalists are doing that so that everyone else can get “caught up”, I guess.
Happy Holy Thursday everyone!

 

[Gorgias]

Sometimes I feel sad for people who spend more time dotting the is and crossing the ts of the rubrics and GIRM rather than getting caught up in the spirit of the Mass.

Please note that, while this might well apply to those in the congregation, it’s a completely different story for those who plan the liturgies, lead the congregation in song, or play instruments during the liturgies. For them, this isn’t just an academic exercise or an attempt to let one’s OCD take over; rather, it’s a simple question of how they should implement the norms for liturgical music.