Music sung in church and during mass

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I have become a little confused of late about the kind of songs that can/cannot be sung during mass. I once heard on radio Maria here that recorded music cannot be played during Mass, also that music that has been recorded for commercial purposes cannot be sung in church. But then, at our local parish there was a time when a Don Moen song was played for entrance. Another time at school, the thanks giving was a recorded song, played on a lap top. I happen to sing in our choir, but it becomes heard to say anything without backup information and a clear source of it. I don’t even know the question to ask at this point. Is there church teaching on this, or what is it supposed to be?
Also, I have come to learn of sacred music, which I am slowly trying to appreciate. But besides that is there music for Mass or that which cannot be sung during, or is it that any Christian music can be sung during mass.
I grew up listening to a certain kind of music in our parish here, however in this same parish today, things have changed. Sometimes I want to think I am just what people refer to as “old school”. First of all there are so many choirs, others comprising just about four members(would this still qualify to be called a choir), they mostly sing the way they like, almost jumping, others lifting their hands, eyes closed, holding onto the microphone… the expressions are many; the congregation is passive, unable to sing along even the Holy Holy. Last advent, one of the meditation songs was an Easter song, well sung. And these days, it has become Don Moen during meditation. The readings no longer matter.
One of the old parishioners once commented that we should know that we aren’t in a competition with the” born again”. The question is this in order.
One Saturday some time back, my youngest brother came home smiling, he told us he had found the “born again” choir (their churches are all over even in residential buildings) nearby practicing R. Kelly’s step to the left, step to the right…You know, there was a rumor here that he had gotten saved; hence the assumption that all his music is Christian. Does anyone see my concern? would you also just look on if you were here?
 
Not too many topics will cause as much chaos as music at Mass. I prefered the chants and latin myself, few people my age (early 20’s at the time) felt the same though.
 
I love the chant of the Eucharistic prayers and whenever it is used. (.)
 
suezette said:
I have become a little confused of late about the kind of songs that can/cannot be sung during mass. I once heard on radio Maria here that recorded music cannot be played during Mass, also that music that has been recorded for commercial purposes cannot be sung in church. But then, at our local parish there was a time when a Don Moen song was played for entrance. Another time at school, the thanks giving was a recorded song, played on a lap top. I happen to sing in our choir, but it becomes heard to say anything without backup information and a clear source of it. I don’t even know the question to ask at this point. Is there church teaching on this, or what is it supposed to be?
Also, I have come to learn of sacred music, which I am slowly trying to appreciate. But besides that is there music for Mass or that which cannot be sung during, or is it that any Christian music can be sung during mass.
I grew up listening to a certain kind of music in our parish here, however in this same parish today, things have changed. Sometimes I want to think I am just what people refer to as “old school”. First of all there are so many choirs, others comprising just about four members(would this still qualify to be called a choir), they mostly sing the way they like, almost jumping, others lifting their hands, eyes closed, holding onto the microphone… the expressions are many; the congregation is passive, unable to sing along even the Holy Holy. Last advent, one of the meditation songs was an Easter song, well sung. And these days, it has become Don Moen during meditation. The readings no longer matter.
One of the old parishioners once commented that we should know that we aren’t in a competition with the” born again”. The question is this in order.
One Saturday some time back, my youngest brother came home smiling, he told us he had found the “born again” choir (their churches are all over even in residential buildings) nearby practicing R. Kelly’s step to the left, step to the right…You know, there was a rumor here that he had gotten saved; hence the assumption that all his music is Christian. Does anyone see my concern? would you also just look on if you were here?
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Your bishop should have the last word on the music approved for liturgy in his diocese; you might want to contact him with your concerns.
 
Recorded music most certainly CAN NOT be played at Mass. Where is the sacrifice in this?! Dump those awful MIDI tunes as well, please. At one time it was rather clear what was to be sung at Mass (found in the books Liber Usualis and Graduale Romanum which contain the music Vatican II’s document Sacrosanctum Concilium states is to take PRIDE OF PLACE in the Liturgy). Some of us still do it and others have, for some odd reason, began doing their own thing.
 
suezette said:
I have become a little confused of late about the kind of songs that can/cannot be sung during mass. I once heard on radio Maria here that recorded music cannot be played during Mass, also that music that has been recorded for commercial purposes cannot be sung in church…
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It’s not accurate to say that prerecorded music cannot be played during the Mass. The “proof” that it cannot is an obscure old document that holds no authority. One can imagine though what the state of pre-recorded music was back when the document was created though.

With today’s digital recordings I have attended Masses where I was sure they had a huge pipe organ being played. The accompanying of the Mass was absolutely superb.

Commercially-recorded music could pose a legal issue. If music is played at a nightclub, bar, etc., the owners must pay for a license to do this. This would apply to churches as well, unless those who own the music grant an exemption for churches.
 
DignumEtJustum said:
Recorded music most certainly CAN NOT be played at Mass. Where is the sacrifice in this?! Dump those awful MIDI tunes as well, please. At one time it was rather clear what was to be sung at Mass (found in the books Liber Usualis and Graduale Romanum which contain the music Vatican II’s document Sacrosanctum Concilium states is to take PRIDE OF PLACE in the Liturgy). Some of us still do it and others have, for some odd reason, began doing their own thing.
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That’s simply not true. The old, obscure document that’s often cited has no authority. Sound systems today allow modest parishes to have the equivalent of a huge pipe organ and organist to fit their budget.
 
Solomonson said:
That’s simply not true. The old, obscure document that’s often cited has no authority. Sound systems today allow modest parishes to have the equivalent of a huge pipe organ and organist to fit their budget.
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I’m not so sure about that. There are guidelines that should be followed. What reference do you have to show that canned music is allowed?
 
zab said:
I’m not so sure about that. There are guidelines that should be followed. What reference do you have to show that canned music is allowed?
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The burden is on those that claim it’s not allowed. The only “proof” I have ever seen proffered is “…Finally, only instruments which are personally played by a performer are to be used in the sacred liturgy, not those which are played mechanically or automatically…” from De musica sacra et sacra liturgia, Instruction on Sacred Music and Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Congregation for Rites – September 3, 1958.

I have no question that it’s up to the local ordinary and not this document from 1958.
 
Solomonson said:
The burden is on those that claim it’s not allowed. The only “proof” I have ever seen proffered is “…Finally, only instruments which are personally played by a performer are to be used in the sacred liturgy, not those which are played mechanically or automatically…” from De musica sacra et sacra liturgia, Instruction on Sacred Music and Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Congregation for Rites – September 3, 1958.

I have no question that it’s up to the local ordinary and not this document from 1958.
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There is nothing to say that recorded music is “absolutely not allowed”, however, there is guidelines that do indicate that the music should not replace or overpower the singing or become a distraction.
zenit.org/articles/pre-recorded-music-at-mass/
 
Dear Music Ministry,

Please notice that no one is singing the prayers along with you.
Praying you open your eyes and heart and challenge yourself to go beyond thinking you sound good to yourself.

Parishioner
 
I have a preference for older sacred music and Latin myself, but I can appreciate more contemporary music in the liturgy. Some things I have heard lately though, although they are beautiful tunes I would consider “Christian” but not “sacred” in nature. I have very few pieces I enjoy from the period c. 1980-1995 where a lot of music had this “Disney-esque” feel to the melody. As for recorded music, our pipe organ console, when it was redone, was given MIDI capability. Our organist had the ability to record a few selections for mass when he was going to be away and have someone just sit at the console and hit play when the time came. Sort of like a player piano.
 
victrolatim said:
Our organist had the ability to record a few selections for mass when he was going to be away and have someone just sit at the console and hit play when the time came. Sort of like a player piano.
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Didn’t your organist think the priest and parishioners could sing without him/her? 🤷

Bring praise/song back to our lips!
Give praise/song back to parishioners!
 
Well, he tried it once and Father liked the idea if they weren’t able to get a sub for a Sunday mass. Our priest is many things, but able to carry a tune he is not. I’ve also noticed in general that there are two things you don’t mess with at this particular parish: the music and bingo. I remember in my choir days we were getting disgruntled calls to the rectory because people hadn’t heard “On Eagles Wings” in a while. Three Lents ago we were singing a lot of chant when a parishioner stood up in the middle of mass and started yelling “No more Latin!” (I’m not making this up). Father had to have a talk with him after mass.
 
victrolatim said:
Well, he tried it once and Father liked the idea if they weren’t able to get a sub for a Sunday mass. Our priest is many things, but able to carry a tune he is not. I’ve also noticed in general that there are two things you don’t mess with at this particular parish: the music and bingo. I remember in my choir days we were getting disgruntled calls to the rectory because people hadn’t heard “On Eagles Wings” in a while. Three Lents ago we were singing a lot of chant when a parishioner stood up in the middle of mass and started yelling “No more Latin!” (I’m not making this up). Father had to have a talk with him after mass.
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All of me wanted to stand up and yell during Mass “Stop the choir and organist! Can’t you all see people aren’t singing?!?!”

It all goes back to the parish priest.
 
Beautiful said:
All of me wanted to stand up and yell during Mass “Stop the choir and organist! Can’t you all see people aren’t singing?!?!”

It all goes back to the parish priest.
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With all due respect, I’m going to disagree rather vociferously with this. It DOESN’T all go back to the parish priest. One of the graces of being the pastor of a parish is you get to see the parish in its entirety. And, you also quickly realize that EVERYONE thinks that his or her pet issue is the most important issue facing the parish. And everyone expects Father to deal with his or her issue, regardless of what impact that will have on the rest of the parish…in between celebrating Masses, hearing confessions, going to the hospital, meeting with families to prepare funerals, being present in the Catholic school, helping couples needing an annulment, preparing other couples for marriage, celebrating marriages, burying the dead, making sure you meet budget that particular month, going to diocesan meetings, meeting with the finance council, school board, pastoral council, and any number of other committees within the structure of the parish.

Of course, all that is (hopefully) after he has had time to pray himself every day…both for his parish, and in order to maintain his personal sanity.

In other words…is music in the liturgy important? Yes. Is it the most important issue facing an individual parish at any given time? Most likely, no.

As for singing, I’ve been in parishes where all sorts of different genres of music are employed, from Latin chant, to English chant, to polyphony, to contemporary praise and worship, to hymns, to the 1980s and 90s stuff in Glory and Praise. The only constant among all of them is…people don’t sing. Period. Now, obviously, it’s not everybody. But as I look out from the presider’s chair…it doesn’t matter what genre of music is being used. At most, 50% of the people sing. I’m not sure if that’s because people think they don’t have good voices, if they’ve never been catechized as to the importance of their participation in the liturgical action (that regardless of the genre, it’s not meant to be their entertainment), or that people stubbornly just don’t want to sing.

By all means, if you have a solution, I’d be very open to hearing it.
 
buc_fan33 said:
But as I look out from the presider’s chair…it doesn’t matter what genre of music is being used. At most, 50% of the people sing.
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I see > 5% singing in the parishes around here. Even the priests are closed mouth throughout most of the music.

Solution? Stop the choirs and musical instruments or have the musical instrument (piano or organ) play very softly and minimally. Guide but don’t dominate!

People DO sing when given a chance. This I know. The ‘leadership’ of current music ministry in my area squelches the faithful when they should be leading the faithful.
It has ceased being music ministry. It can be categorized more as entertainment…bad entertainment.

I understand the burden of the parish priest. Shouldn’t the liturgy of the Mass be of utmost concern? That is what I always thought.
 
“Glory and Praise”…shudders; I agree with the previous poster. Not a lot of people sing. It makes it harder for those of us congregants who want to sing because we stick out like a sore thumb and it tends to feel awkward… A quote attributed to St. Augustine states, “He who sings prays twice.” He never said the singing had to be good.
 
buc_fan33 said:
By all means, if you have a solution, I’d be very open to hearing it.
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Another solution:
Don’t fire the choir. Have them practice as usual and disperse them ‘flash mob’ style in the pews.
The choir stays intact but is dispersed to support in true community rather than a segregated dominating way.
 
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