I am a brass musician who has volunteered at my parish, and subsequently at others in the area, but I’ve been told that I’m just not needed. A local Bible church with a very high-quality and prayerful contemporary music ministry invited me to serve with them 1-2 times a month. I did not approach them. Is it a wrong use of a talent from God in this way? I “asked an apologist” on this forum, and was surprised to get an answer that suggested it was not OK, and that brass instruments, while appropriate for jazz ensembles and marching bands, were not appropriate at Mass. Maybe I misunderstood the answer’s intent. I always thought that, in light of Psalm 98 and Psalm 150, horns were very appropriate at Mass . . . I just want to serve with the gift God has given.
I believe that Ms. Arnold gave you an excellent reply when you posted this question on the AAA forum. There is, however, something she may have missed.
During major holy feasts, some parishes will use brass instruments, such as those used in an orchestra, to augment the music. This will generally happen during Christmas and the Easter Vigil (Easter). You might contact your chancery to see if any parishes will be needing musicians like yourself for these most important days of the Church year.
Inasmuch as you have a God-given talent, some good and sound liturgical catechesis is needed. You might want to avail yourself of the authoritative documents of the Church regarding Sacred Music. These include Musicam Sacram and the Chirograph on Sacred Music written by Pope John Paul II.
Here is the link to the chirograph:
adoremus.org/Chirograph-SacredMusic.html
Here is the link to Musicam Sacram:
adoremus.org/MusicamSacram.html
A lot of people will use the particular psalm you quoted to justify horns and whatnaught for use in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. However, such instruments were not necessarily used in the cultic worship of Ancient Israel. The psalms and other prayers were chanted, thus, no musical instruments were used. Musical instruments were used outside of the confines of cultic, sacrificial worship, but, not during it.
The other thing that bears noting is the fact what these Protestant ecclesial communities do is radically different than the Holy Sacrifice. We have both the Word and the Sacrifice; Protestants do not. That is why they focus on music and the sermon. That is at the heart of their service. The Holy Sacrifice of Jesus which we go back to at every Mass is the heart and epicenter of our worship. This is genuine worship in Spirit and in Truth.
