Nine Reasons People Aren't Singing in Worship

[DaveBj]

I want to add a number 10.

The songs don’t have anything to do with the Mass of the day.

On the feast of Christ the King, we had only one song even remotely related. But on the First Sunday of Advent we has 2 Christ the King songs. We have Marian feasts with no hymns about Mary. IMHO, the music should be part of the whole and link to the readings, the prayers and the liturgical season. [The other extreme, of course, is overkill regarding a theme. One Advent, every song, for four weeks, was to the tune of “O Come, O Come Emanuel” - even the Kyrie and the Agnus Dei. ]

I consider myself fortunate that this is not an issue at our parish

 

[Elizium23]

Last Sunday we sang three songs all based on the O Antiphons.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Christ, Circle Round Us
My Soul in Stillness Waits

I really hate the last one. I am beginning to detest the second one too, although we have never done it before. But I know I’ve heard it. Perhaps in DivineOffice.org hours.

 

[Boy_Wonder]

Many hymns are simply IMPOSSIBLE to sing.

 

[TigerKitty]

Great thread - wish I found it earlier.

As far as Protestant services and congregational singing - I attended a Methodist college and sang in about 4 dozen different UMC and UCC churches through the years. A good friend in college was nondenominational Christian (and I was fortunate to be his sponsor when he was baptized into the Catholic church). I went to services with him and he came to Mass with me. A second dear friend from college was a devout Methodist (and her mom became a minister). Another friend in grad school was Baptist, and I frequently went to services with her. I was a paid 2nd soprano soloist in an Episcopal church for a few years in grad school. So, I know of what I speak when I talk about my experiences in Protestant churches.

And they SING - Hymns, in parts, yes, the CONGREGATION sings in parts - and ALL the verses! (And the men sing, too.) It is so impressive, and so uplifting, and so beautiful. And the organist is always quite accomplished and the registration is always so thoughtfully planned. No two verses alike. It’s been beautiful everywhere I’ve been.

My father (also Catholic) recently came to my dear friend’s mother’s funeral (the Methodist pastor) - and I was wondering how he would react to the service, as he is not familiar with Protestant worship. He was quite impressed. He could not get over how everyone was singing their heart out and I think he was quite moved.

 

[Cat]

We were in St. Louis this weekend, and attended a Mass in which the people SANG!

I found myself wondering if the St. Louis area has better music education programs in place in their schools.

OR…perhaps it has something to do with the influence of German heritage and ethnicity–Germans generally love to sing!

The Mass began with chant–it was well done because the VIOLIN played through the chant once, and THEN the people sang the chant unaccompanied. This actually takes some skill–listening and then singing back a musical line is an exercise that I like to do with small children. I personally have a hard time hearing a line of music and then singing it back correctly because I’m so attached to reading music. But it’s a skill that I think is worth developing, and this congregation did it well.

The rest of the songs were contemporary hymns (after all this IS St. Louis, the literal home of the St. Louis Jesuits), and they were the complex, syncopated hymns, not the easy ones, and they were hymns that I have never heard! But the congregation sang them and sang them well, without dropping out during the syncopated sections.

So I say to everyone who complains about the contemporary hymns–no more excuses! Obviously regular folks can sing these hymns. You just have to put on your thinking cap, grit your teeth, buckle down, and LEARN them. And then stop making excuses about the range of these hymns (“too high!”) and LEARN to use your head voice (the "pretty voice) instead of your campfire voice.

The Mass in St. Louis was quite uplifting. Some of you might prefer a music-less Mass, but many of us, including me and my husband, were edified by hearing this beautiful, exciting, and well-sung/well-played music in the Mass. I think most people are, and that those who prefer silence are in the minority.

 

[ProVobis]

I think most people are, and that those who prefer silence are in the minority.

You may be right on that. I’ve found a church which in both its OF and EF doesn’t use any musical instruments and the people sing. Or maybe because it’s Advent, I don’t know.

 

[Mintaka]

The Methodist denomination was founded by a singer-songwriter and his singer-songwriter brother. Part of the standard attractions were catchy music. Pretty much every Methodist denomination reprints, in the front of hymnals, Wesley’s instructions on how to sing - and that you gotta sing. So yeah, congregational 4-part singing is prioritized, and people who don’t like it generally leave.

Catholics sing plenty if they are given proper support (ie, good songs written for singing and played in reasonable keys, kids instructed in singing, speakers not cranked up too high to hear yourself sing, strong identity of not being ashamed of Catholic doctrine in Catholic music).

Teaching people how to sing used to be one of the standard Catholic educational points, and Vatican II actually says that parishes have to teach the congregation to sing (and to know the congregation parts in Latin, for that matter). But nobody seems anxious to implement this particular part of Vatican II!

 

[Della]

My dh has a hard time with many of the songs sung at Mass because they were not written for congregational singing but for soloists or for around a campfire–at least that’s how they sound to him. Their melodies are too varied from verse to verse or overly complex for the average person to sing. Even I, who have sung in choirs and small groups, sometimes have a hard time singing some of the songs written from the 60’s on. Hymns have a stateliness to them because they were written for congregational singing, which requires that melodies be simple enough for the average person but full in tone and delivery, so they lift the soul more than fleeting emotions. Songs are not meant for congregtional singing but for listening to by those who are not as muscially adept.

 

[NPC]

At the outset, let me say that I am definitely not opposed to congreational singing during the Mass.

In my previous life as a church musician, before I entered seminary, I made attempts to get congregations to sing. I must say that my opinions on congregational singing - or rather the lengths to which we should go in encouraging it - have changed. Originally, I would certainly have thought it was a shame that entire congregations did not sing, and I looked at the reasons why this might be the case - many of Mr Lamm’s reasons came up. However, now I am of the opinion that if people wish to sing, let them sing, but let those who wish to fully and actively participate without singing to do so.

I think where a Catholic participating in the Sacrifice of the Mass differs from Mr Lamm and his Baptist brethren is that the Catholic, uniting himself with the supreme Sacrifice of Christ at the hands of the priest, is by this act engaging in the greatest act of worship that he can; after all, he is kneeling at the foot of the Cross. For a Protestant, the act of worship is largely through singing. I am not denying that music has a place in the Mass - I couldn’t possibly - but it is not essential for the entire congregation to sing in the same way as it is essential for a Protestant congregation to sing. In fact, Mr Lamm himself draws attention to this when he claims that the “Reformation” gave worship back to the people - I don’t think a Catholic could concur with this position (and I certainly do not). Since the Sacrifice of the Mass - the Church’s supreme act of worship - was taken from the people in that period, at best we can say that an insufficient act/element of worship was inserted in a vain attempt to replace our greatest treasure. Mr Lamm also refers to technology having, for a time, moved congregations back to being spectators (“pew potatoes”, as he calls them). Well, in the Mass, we are spectators, watching the greatest drama of all time: Calvary - being a spectator does not mean that one is being passive, as Mr Lamm seems to imply.

One further point, I think it is also worth bearing in mind that while people may not have sung during Mass prior to 1970, most parishes had a selection of other devotions, such as Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament, novenas, sodalities, etc. where the people most certainly did sing. It is certainly the case in Ireland that the hymns that people tend to sing are those associated with such devotions: Marian hymns and Eucharistic hymns such as “Tantum Ergo Sacramentum”, “Soul of My Saviour”, “Sweet Sacrament Divine”, etc. Perhaps parishes should consider reviving some of these devotions which we have lost - which would be good in itself - but it might also allow these beautiful hymns and those who sing them to come into their own once again.

 

[ineeda]

We only have a few that do not sing at our church. I was one of them. I have a horrible singing voice! I know our pastor would like for everyone to sing, and not just the choir. Now, I sing(softly, as not to hurt other’s ears) most songs. However, there are some songs, that I know my voice simply cannot handle. For the songs, I can not sing, I enjoy listening to the others and read the words while they sing.

 

[clem456]

In our parish we have a hymnal titled “Worship” or “Praise and Worship” I forget what it’s called. There is book 1 and book 2. Many of these songs are touted as “new” music. And they were new… 40-50 years ago. They are “new” because the 50 somethings who like them remember them as the songs of their youth. They are not new any longer. They are dated and tired and do a poor job of conveying the faith. That doesn’t mean the lyrics are offensive, or that they are incorrect or anything…but as a whole, the music and lyrics are ineffectual. Melodies are not intuitive, rhythms are forced, lyrics try too hard to be nice. You can’t sing them without tying yourself into a knot and standing on your head.
The music is different…for the sake of being different. And that’s never a good reason to do anything. Any adolescent learns this hopefully at an early age.

Watch the movies that appeal to younger people. Many of them have intense motifs that are time honored and convey deep meanings. Innocuous they are not. Listen to the music that younger people are listening to. Rap for instance. Challenging lyrics which can be very offensive. Not advocating for offensive lyrics at Mass obviously, but point being…the safe and comfortable tunes and lyrics that characterize these bland hymnals are boring younger people right out of the Catholic Church. The Christian life is not bland, is not always warm and comfortable. Our music should reflect the realities of our faith.

My son just graduated with a degree in music performance and is joining the Marine Corp as a musician. He goes to Mass with us while he waits for his departure, but absolutely cannot stand the music that is played at our youth Mass.

He calls it “patronizing”. What does it mean to be “patronizing”? It means to have the pretense of knowing what appeals to someone else’s tastes, and to arrange things according to that pretense. All the while, I as your “patron” have in fact arranged things the way I want them without full regard for your tastes. Young people can smell patronization a mile away and are turned off by it.

The last concert his college put on was “Karmina Burana” (sp?). The musicians absolutely loved it. It utilizes a large choir and the music is very intense. It speaks in a powerful way. And it is not something that the audience sings along with. Granted it’s not a Mass, but the point is that one does not have to be singing along to be deeply participating.

In addition to a youth Mass we also have a more traditional music setting. I have a good friend who was moved to join the Church on Christmas Eve. He was emotionally and spiritually moved by the music. He was not singing but was listening. He was fully, consciously, and actively participating, but he wasn’t singing.
Many of the hymns we do are not in the hymnals. They might be a meditative offertory piece like this which we are singing this weekend:
youtube.com/watch?v=y3pJQyKZrFo
This is not really designed for a congregation to belt out. People are certainly encouraged to sing along but sometimes it is good to participate by simply listening quietly.

 

[clem456]

It’s also interesting to note that going back decades, the dominant culture in our parish is German. For reasons that are probably beyond my ability to explain, over the decades the parish has been attempting to escape from this western European culture by throwing out the rich heritage of artwork and music. The Church had a beautiful altar with ornate carvings with a marble altar rail, and they were ripped out and discarded 60 years ago. Thankfully we still have a great pipe organ which we use about half the time. The parish is probably like a lot of others, running from it’s heritage out of some kind of shame. That culture is, for all intents and purposes, long dead. And the parish and it’s families have suffered because of it.

Contrast that with the vibrant Hispanic community we have here. Two Sunday’s ago for the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe we had the main street of our town closed while the drummers and dancers (Matachines?), all in full native costume, came down the street and processed into Church. The Spanish Mass itself uses native culture and customs. The whole thing is very vibrant. The Spanish community has tons of children participating at Mass and attending dinners afterwards. Their children are not shuffled off to “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” during mass, they are not sent to “youth group”. They are simply part of a vibrant family culture. Their musical setting utilizes guitars, horns, upright bass, piano, and people of all ages singing at the top of their lungs in a loosely organized choir. The important thing is, the musical setting is genuine, it is not forced. It is not different just to be different, it is different because that’s who they really are. They are not trying to lose their culture, they are not ashamed of it, they celebrate it.
We have a lot to learn from that.

 

[Denise1957]

If Catholics don’t want to sing at Mass (whatever the reason), I think it’s okay. I love to sing, and always sing the entrance hymn, and the hymn at the end of Mass (unless it’s the dreaded “Gather us in”). It’s rare when others around me sing, but I don’t mind. Do the rubrics really require the faithful to sing?

 

[Elizium23]

There is a Divine Command to sing. Sacred Scripture attests to this command throughout salvation history. The Psalms themselves say: “Come, let us sing to the Lord, and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us!” (Ps 95). If we love God, then we will sing His praises constantly, especially in the sacred liturgy.

 

[Denise1957]

There is a Divine Command to sing. Sacred Scripture attests to this command throughout salvation history. The Psalms themselves say: “Come, let us sing to the Lord, and shout with joy to the Rock who saves us!” (Ps 95). If we love God, then we will sing His praises constantly, especially in the sacred liturgy.

Okay, but has the Church defined this by making it doctrine that the faithful are required to sing at Mass? Or is it a required part of the rubrics for the faithful to sing?

 

[Elizium23]

Okay, but has the Church defined this by making it doctrine that the faithful are required to sing at Mass? Or is it a required part of the rubrics for the faithful to sing?

Sacred Tradition attests to the Divine Command to sing. Here is a recent specimen, De musica sacra, 1958:
De musica sacra:

1. Hymns are songs which spontaneously arise from the religious impulses with which mankind has been endowed by its Creator. Thus they are universally sung among all peoples. This music had a fine effect on the lives of the faithful, imbuing both their private, and social lives with a true Christian spirit (cf. Eph 5:18-20; Col 3:16). It was encouraged from the earliest times, and in our day it is still to be recommended for fostering the piety of the faithful, and enhancing their private devotions. Even such music can, at times, be admitted to liturgical ceremonies (This music had a fine effect on the lives of the faithful, imbuing both their private, and social lives with a true Christian spirit (cf. Eph 5:18-20; Col 3:16). It was encouraged from the earliest times, and in our day it is still to be recommended for fostering the piety of the faithful, and enhancing their private devotions. Even such music can, at times, be admitted to liturgical ceremonies (Musicæ sacræ disciplina, Dec. 25, 1955; AAS 48 [1956] 13-14)., Dec. 25, 1955; AAS 48 [1956] 13-14).

General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

The Importance of Singing

1. The Christian faithful who come together as one in expectation of the Lord’s coming are instructed by the Apostle Paul to sing together Psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles (cf. Col 3:16). Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy (cf. Acts 2:46). Thus St. Augustine says rightly, “Singing is for one who loves,”[48] and there is also an ancient proverb: “Whoever sings well prays twice over.”
2. Great importance should therefore be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of the Mass, with due consideration for the culture of peoples and abilities of each liturgical assembly. Although it is not always necessary (e.g., in weekday Masses) to sing all the texts that are in principle meant to be sung, every care should be taken that singing by the ministers and the people not be absent in celebrations that occur on Sundays and on Holydays of Obligation.

However, in the choosing of the parts actually to be sung, preference is to be given to those that are of greater importance and especially to those which are to be sung by the Priest or the Deacon or a reader, with the people replying, or by the Priest and people together.[49]

1. The main place should be given, all things being equal, to Gregorian chant, as being proper to the Roman Liturgy. Other kinds of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.[50]

Since the faithful from different countries come together ever more frequently, it is desirable that they know how to sing together at least some parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, especially the Profession of Faith and the Lord’s Prayer, according to the simpler settings.[51]

 

[Denise1957]

Sacred Tradition attests to the Divine Command to sing. Here is a recent specimen, De musica sacra, 1958:

I’m not seeing in the quote provided where it says that the faithful are supposed to sing at Mass.

I see that you added a second source, and it does indicate that the faithful should sing at Mass on Sundays, but not all the parts.

My understanding is that when the 1962 missal was still in use, the Faithful were not required to sing. Maybe I’m wrong about that. So, for most of the history of the Church, the faithful did not sing at Mass. It seems a recent innovation. That may also have something to do with why Catholics don’t sing much at Mass.

 

[Elizium23]

I’m not seeing in the quote provided where it says that the faithful are supposed to sing at Mass.

Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

 

[Georgia]

We once had a pastor who said the people were required to assist in the mass. He went on to say that singing was not optional, that it was assisting in the mass. After his first homily on that subject, the number of people singing went up quite a bit. Whether he was right, I have no idea, but it sure changed the masses at that church.

In my opinion, the mass seems so much richer when everyone is involved. Large numbers of people watching and not joining in seems to take something powerful away.

We often visit a town a few hours from our home. The Catholic community is very small indeed, so small that I have never seen more than forty people at a mass there. Everyone sings. It gives me goosebumps to hear that when the mass starts. No, it’s not extreme artistry. I doubt few sing better than the average person, but the joining of the voices warms the soul and creates something very special.

 

[clem456]

We once had a pastor who said the people were required to assist in the mass. He went on to say that singing was not optional, that it was assisting in the mass. After his first homily on that subject, the number of people singing went up quite a bit. Whether he was right, I have no idea, but it sure changed the masses at that church.

In my opinion, the mass seems so much richer when everyone is involved. Large numbers of people watching and not joining in seems to take something powerful away.

We often visit a town a few hours from our home. The Catholic community is very small indeed, so small that I have never seen more than forty people at a mass there. Everyone sings. It gives me goosebumps to hear that when the mass starts. No, it’s not extreme artistry. I doubt few sing better than the average person, but the joining of the voices warms the soul and creates something very special.

Can we at least agree that singing is morally neutral. There are times when singing lifts the soul to God in a wonderful way. There are songs that are conducive to singing and invite it.

There are also songs that by their nature are not conducive to singing, whether due to bad composition or some other reason. Some music is designed for meditative listening. There is nothing wrong with that. Listening does not have to be passive. Hearts and minds can be lifted to God in a very powerful way through active listening.