Need your wise thoughts on this

  • Thread starter Thread starter jesusmademe
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jesusmademe

Guest
Today was my second practice with the Gregorian schola. I’m new to the Schola and never sung with one before. One of the guys, who was at some time attending SSPX Masses, told me afterwards that you can’t have long hair in the schola (I have my ponytail and like it). He said short hair is the decorum. I just thought he was a weird SSPX guy and told him we have different opinions. What do you think about it? Only Byzantines can have longer hair??
I am looking for the answers you serious wise guys can give me? I bet the leader of the schola wouldn’t even dare to say or even think something like this. Neither has any Priest complainded. Long hair is very manly!
 
I wouldn’t care at all unless a person of authority said something.
 
Has there even been a tradition in catholic church that men who sing in a Schola should have short hair? I mean, sure men often short hair due to a “weird” tradition but a vertain decorum…hmmm.never heard of it.
What is the real decorum for the Schola?

How does one speak with such a man? Aren’t such a man just trying to act like an authority figure?
 
Clerical tonsure for clerics singing in a schola notwithstanding, there isn’t a custom of that so far as I’m aware.

But in any case, the point is moot. That’s one man’s opinion and you needn’t worry with it. Nor with responding to him.

-Fr ACEGC
 
I know but I just want to understand where such a man would get such ideas? From SSPX?
Where did he even get his idea? Please explain!
 
I know but what about how to dress? Any thing to look for? For sunday mass i dont even dress in a speciific sunday dress.
 
Who knows, who really cares. People get all kinds of ideas all the time. Ask your leader. Then go by that answer and ignore the others.
 
This exactly. Don’t worry so much about what others think. Dress appropriately for church and don’t worry about it. If others have a problem with it, they can deal with it. No reason for this to affect you so much.
 
It’s not unusual for musicians to dress in all black (or mostly black) for formal occasions. This is partly a matter of formality but also to keep any one person from standing out.

But any specifics for a particular group, such as hair styles or dress ought to be addressed when you join the group. And if this is a parish group, the pastor should have some say as well. Is the person who told you that short hair is expected a leader of the group? Or is he just some self-proclaimed expert in what is traditional?
 
Last edited:
He is just a member of the schola…and a person who webt to SSPX and would call himself a traditional catholic i suppose.
It is the Cathedral Schola we are talking about.
The only thing I was told when joining was that I must be able to sing ok.
 
Last edited:
If there is a dress code they should have informed you, either regarding hair length or how you dress. @oralabora has mentioned a dress code for his schola but I don’t recall exactly what it is.
 
jesusmademe said:
that I must be able to sing ok.
Click to expand...
It seems to me that is the only requirement. If there is a dress code then you ought to have been told of this when you joined. I would not let another member of the schola irritate you. Only two people’s opinion should count: that of the rector of the cathedral and that of the choir master.
 
So you will move on from this? Good. You might term me a traditional Catholic and I can’t understand at all why you would give this any weight whatsoever. Of course I know nothing of Schola.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
If there is a dress code they should have informed you, either regarding hair length or how you dress. @oralabora has mentioned a dress code for his schola but I don’t recall exactly what it is.
Click to expand...
Yes our (all men) schola has a dress code: black trousers, and a black dress shirt (we were founded by Benedictines after all!). A black sweater is acceptable in cold weather. A dark charcoal shirt will also be tolerated, good black dress shirts are hard to find around here. It’s plainly stated in the welcome letter for a newcomers, and a reminder is sent for everyone in the season kick-off letter (we take a summer recess).

We have no requirements concerning hair. Most of us are at an age where, umm, we’re rather challenged in the hair department.
 
OraLabora said:
We have no requirements concerning hair. Most of us are at an age where, umm, we’re rather challenged in the hair department.
Click to expand...
Any mention of needing short hair to a younger person with lots of hair would be interpreted as jealousy anyway. 😁
 
Well, at least it’s low-maintenance, no “bad hair” days! More like “no hair” days! 😮

Getting back to the OP’s question: I assume the schola has a choirmaster? If he has allowed you to sing in the schola, then disregard the disrespectful comments. He is the one who has the right to set a dress/appearance code, and if there is one, to ensure you received and understood it.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top