Looking for some music ministers to mentor me

[Junebug999]

So, I came here to post about “How long does it take to stop being the “new” Catholic?” And I have had questions, but everyone at my parish seems to busy to answer.

I have the musical instrument accompaniment part down, but I need to learn about liturgy. I was given some old OCP keyboard book (was nice to get those to save money buying them, but many pages missing). Then I noticed in the OCP keyboard book I did not have any of the you know – Like Mass of Creation music. (Not sure what that is called). I had asked about it, and had copied some really old worn out pages the music director had. I’m still missing most of it though.

So, was here and looking at threads when I saw the thread “Music Ministers post your music” AND it was like a great drink of cool water on a hot summer’s day. THIS is the stuff I need to learn to not be the “new” Catholic desiring a place in Catholic parish music ministry.

One thing I did last night was create a binder with colored tabs, and a section for processional, Gloria, Lamb of God (etc.), …you know all the Mass liturgy musical accompaniments. I thought by color-coding them I could just turn from each one to the other to play and each time you change, you just put the one on top within that colored-tab section.

I even thought about bringing up YOUTUBE of a mass on this computer (right next to my piano and practicing then!!!)

So…teach me – I promise I’ll come up with questions.

AND, I so agree with BenedictGal about some of the sappy showtune, hippy type stuff that is presented…our parish does have a lot of that, and I think the music director really does mean well. I haven’t expressed my opinion about that type of music (or how MUCH of that type of music is used because that’s not my place of course to do so).

I want to learn EVERYthing because I love it so much. For instance, I was at two masses this morning. The first priest we sang the “Christ have Mercy”…(what is that called? – I don’t have my notes right here at the computer)…but the second priest we didn’t sing the “Christ have Mercy”. Why was that?

Also, the music director I think is a wonderful person…very overwhelmed with a huge job and family and quite a wonderful person,…also very disorganized…and I don’t think is wishing any help from me, so I’m going to give some space. IF the music director should request my services, either in our parish or one of the missions, I’m sure the music director/priest know where to find me. Of course and always, God’s will be done in all things regarding any musical ministerial contribution I would wish to make.

Sooooooooo where would one start with having the music one needs, and where would one start to learn all about liturgy?

Also, back when I was a protestant church pianist, the music was hymns. They are really good, meaningful, spiritually full of good messages for the heart and soul, and very musical and very much easier for congregations to sing…I do like some of the modern stuff, but …isn’t there a balance in there somewhere?

With all love and respect, there have been times I have thought I was in a Andrew Lloyd Weber show instead of MASS! (And no, I’ve never even hinted to ANYone that opinion either!)

Thank you for your consideration of my request for online mentoring!

 

[MarkThompson]

I want to learn EVERYthing because I love it so much. For instance, I was at two masses this morning. The first priest we sang the “Christ have Mercy”…(what is that called?

It’s called the Kyrie. The words are Greek: Kyrie eleison / Christe eleison / Kyrie eleison. It dates from before the time the Mass was in Latin.

I have the musical instrument accompaniment part down, but I need to learn about liturgy. I was given some old OCP keyboard book (was nice to get those to save money buying them, but many pages missing). Then I noticed in the OCP keyboard book I did not have any of the you know – Like Mass of Creation music. (Not sure what that is called). I had asked about it, and had copied some really old worn out pages the music director had. I’m still missing most of it though.

People’s opinions of Mass of Creation (aka Massive Cremation) around here are pretty low. I, for one, actually think it’s decent musically, but horrendously overplayed to he point where it’s become almost a joke. Those four chords from before the Amen, aaagh (BUM-bum-bum-bum Aaa-aaa-men . . .).

Also, the music director I think is a wonderful person…very overwhelmed with a huge job and family and quite a wonderful person,…also very disorganized…and I don’t think is wishing any help from me, so I’m going to give some space. IF the music director should request my services, I’m sure the music director/priest knows where to find me.

Sooooooooo where would one start with having the music one needs, and where would one start to learn all about liturgy.

Thank you!

Well, what, exactly, is your current role there? To be honest, people generally don’t sign up for “music ministry” one day and start picking all the music for Mass the next day. You say you have a music director? Is he or she a paid professional? If so, I don’t see how you’re going to be in change of music. As a volunteer, you’d sing or play what you’re told when they need you, and maybe offer suggestions down the line eventually. Maybe I’m missing something about your situation, though?

Also important are the questions: what is your parish doing now, and what does your pastor want to do? I could tell you all the sources to read up on Gregorian chant (the Church’s inborn music, which Vatican II tells us should enjoy pride of place in the liturgy), but if your Church does the standard four-hymn sandwich and that’s what your pastor wants to keep doing, it won’t matter.

So when you ask about “having the music one needs,” what are referring to? I’ll give you an example: I’m in the choir at my parish, and the music I need comes in my folder that I get from the director. Simple! Now, where does he get the music he needs? That’s a lot more complicated – but I’m not really seeing how it’s an issue that would be relevant for you.

Or maybe the question you’re asking is, “I’d like to help as an accompanist at my parish, but I need to build a repertoire of the music we do so that they don’t just turn me away for not knowing the music. Where can I find it?” That would depend on the specifics of the type of music your parish does.

 

[MarkThompson]

In addition to getting you to think about the issues above, let me be a little more helpful by giving your a few resources that you really ought to be familiar with if you want to get informed about liturgy and music in the Church.

• [Sacrosanctum Concilium (http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_...const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html), the Sacred Constitution on the Liturgy. One of the key documents of Vatican II, it sets out the principles on which the current Mass would be developed.
  .
• The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM). The Roman Missal is the book that tells the priest everything that is in the Mass. The GIRM gives tons of information and instructions about how to do the Mass. An invaluable instruction on the liturgy.
  .
• [Sing to the Lord (http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/SingToTheLord.pdf), the instruction on music in the liturgy issued by the USCCB in 2007. Whenever anyone mentions this document, ten people leap forward to proclaim that it is not binding with the force of canon law. True, but it was approved by the full body of U.S. bishops and really does represent a mainstream-to-slightly-conservative stance on musical issues. You really ought to understand everything that’s being discussed in this document if you want to know about music in the liturgy in the United States.

That’s three really basic items that you’ll want to be familiar with.

 

[Kolbelover]

I’m a choir director… have been for almost 15 years. Prior to that, I’be been a volunteer for over 20. I will tell you that the one thing I know for certain is,“you never stop learning”…

Mark has given you the best resources… study them… get involved with Liturgy Committee (if you have one), or discuss the content you study with your pastor, as your questions come up… you may find that your parish may be doing some things that it should not be doing. Be vigilant but be charitable when trying to “get it right”… many of us have been inadequately formed as to what is"right"…as a result, many have laid claim to abuses (holding hands, for example), that are should not be part of Liturgy. We must be very careful when “correcting” such abuses… keep in mind that Charity is the greater virtue (than righteousness). Mind you, we NEED to ensure we do all that we can to protect the integrity (Catholicity) of Liturgy… it is vital.

The acid test for music should always be, “does this support Catholic teaching?” … weak theology with a good beat/tune should be avoided (ex:“Gather Us In”… which is to “us”-centric…our prayer should be vertical…to God…not so much about “us”)… read herein for more examples…or just do a search for posts by Benedictgal!!!

I think too, that we must always remember that the Eucharist is THE focus of the Liturgy… anything that draws attention away from Christ, truly Present in the Eucharist should be nipped in-the-bud. Music should elevate the prayer… enhance what is ALREADY beautiful and profound(the Liturgy itself)… we don’t need to gild the lilly. Emphasis on performance may sound good to the easily distracted… however, groups that emphasize mass as “performance” tend to become a “golden calf”

always, always, always emphasize the Eucharist…the Sacrifice of the Mass as what is most important. If we do so, music ministers tend to feel "right sized"about their role(s) in Liturgy.

finally… when I first began in Music Ministry, I had a very competent (musically) director who advised the “Liturgy” itself meant “the work of the people”… This led to a focus on trying to CREATE something beautiful. However, I have come to learn over the years that a better translation of “liturgy” is “the work done FOR the people”… this work is done because they (the people) NEED it! we are broken, suffering, sinful and sorrowful… we need Christ, not a foot-tapping number! There is no need to “create” beauty…rather, in the Mass, we ENTER IN to beauty and love itself…

God Bless!!

bob~