Is a choir permitted to face the congregation?

[bhoff828]

Our choir director turned the choir chairs at an angle so that they are at a 45° angle from the altar and toward the congregation. The choir is in the front of our small rural church to the left of the sanctuary as you face the altar. A few people have taken great disdain for this move, saying that the church forbids choirs to face the congregation, and they are even considering leaving our parish over it. I would like to know if the Catholic Church has specific rulings on the positioning of a choir. Thank you.

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

No, there is nothing in the Church’s liturgical documents that say the choir cannot face the congregation.

In fact, most of what the Church has to say about choir location is more general guidelines than specifics.

USCCB’s Sing to the Lord:

1. The placement of the choir should show the choir members’ presence as a part of the worshiping community, yet serving in a unique way. Acoustical considerations will also play a role in determining the best location for the choir.

Musicam Sacram:

1. Taking into account the layout of each church, the choir should be placed in such a way:

(a) That its nature should be clearly apparent—namely, that it is a part of the whole congregation, and that it fulfills a special role;

(b) That it is easier for it to fulfill its liturgical function;

(c) That each of its members may be able to participate easily in the Mass, that is to say by sacramental participation.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

1. The choir should be positioned with respect to the design of each church so as to make clearly evident its character as a part of the gathered community of the faithful fulfilling a specific function. The location should also assist the choir to exercise its function more easily and conveniently allow each choir member full, sacramental participation in the Mass.

USCCB’s Built on Living Stones:

1. … The skills and talents of these pastoral musicians, choirs, and instrumentalists are especially valued by the Church. Because the roles of the choirs and cantors are exercised within the liturgical community, the space chosen for the musicians should clearly express that they are part of the assembly of worshipers. In addition, cantors and song leaders need visual contact with the music director while they themselves are visible to the rest of the congregation…

1. …The placement and prayerful decorum of the choir members can help the rest of the community to focus on the liturgical action taking place at the ambo, the altar, and the chair. The ministers of music are most appropriately located in a place where they can be part of the assembly and have the ability to be heard. Occasions or physical situations may necessitate that the choir be placed in or near the sanctuary. In such circumstances, the placement of the choir should never crowd or overshadow the other ministers in the sanctuary nor should it distract from the liturgical action.