Praise and worship music for Mass?

[hosea]

bellesjoy:

Two of our Sunday masses are with guitars and very “hip” music that encompasses songs like “Let it Be” by the Beatles. They are in front of the congregation like a concert.
But be careful what you ask for. The other two masses are an organ and one singer. The organist is elderly and plays off key and faster than the operatic type male singer wants to sing. The music he chooses are mostly unknown to anyone in the parish and since I am mid 50’s, I thought I’d heard it all. He has a very poor and irritating voice. The organist, during solos, plays music that I have only heard to accompany scary silent films. It is not Catholic or religious music. It is not gregorian, but dark and gothic.
I have no musical ability and I try to sing along. This “music” literally ruins mass and is so distracting that I feel bad when I leave church for feeling so irritated. If I had an ounce of talent, I would volunteer. As it is, I can only pray that these folks get better or someone who can sing/play steps forward. I would prefer simple songs and music that encourage those of us in the pews to join in and praise God. Any suggestions?

There is a gentleman on the radio (I forget his name) who has a show from Camp Woebegone, Minn. He’s very funny and talks about religion and the world and all it’s wonders. He once quoted a Minister who said “The Church organ is the enemy of worship.”
that just seemed to apply here. I have known a couple of organists and all I can say is that we needed to put a governor under their volume peddle.

 

[CD4]

Oh my! That must be awful…Those two have probably been there for ages…a fixture, so to speak, so you may be stuck…:crying:

 

[CD4]

hosea:

There is a gentleman on the radio (I forget his name) who has a show from Camp Woebegone, Minn. He’s very funny and talks about religion and the world and all it’s wonders. He once quoted a Minister who said “The Church organ is the enemy of worship.”
that just seemed to apply here. I have known a couple of organists and all I can say is that we needed to put a governor under their volume peddle.

Ah ha! you have touched on one of my pet peeves. I HATE to sing when only an organ is being played…The chords are “different”, so it is hard to do the harmony, and the organ often drowns voices out, anyway.

I much prefer to sing to piano, guitar and flute, with maybe a soft drum (but only maybe). I have worked with various music groups for years, and have never enjoyed singing with an organ…They can be so overpowering.

**Have you ever seen The Joy of Music? It’s a TV show that features organs from all over the world…all played by the same woman…:bigyikes: **

This is not to say that there is no place for organs…There most definitely is…just not for me when I’m singing…

 

[asquared]

getting back the original question (yeh I know I am breaking the rules) what is praise and worship music? If I read the Life in the Spirit seminar manual correctly, it is music chosen specifically to set the tone for different parts of the retreat. There is a time for more joyful, uptempo music, such as when we are asking for release of the gifts of the holy spirit, a time for quieter music for reflection, or when people are praising in tongues, during healing service etc. The words, tempo, instrumentation, tune are all carefully chosen for their part in the proceedings. Words are usually simple, easy to remember, repeated so that people don’t rely on songsheets or books.

There is a difference between “praise and worship” in the sense of a non-liturgical, usually large group gathered for a specific purpose, maybe a lead-in to a conference or youth rally, and liturgical music.

Liturgical music has its own rules and role to play. It must serve the liturgy and not dominate it, as several more knowledgeable posters have said many times on other threads.

At our (very traditional) parish, before Mass typical praise and worship music is played for about 10 minutes, 4-5 songs but in a somewhat softer mode than usual, using an electronic keyboard. Then liturgical music, including a lot of chant, during Mass. 5 oclock guitar, one guy, not a very good voice, pretty painful. 7:30 a capella, 9:00 organ, cantor, small choir. 10:30 Spanish Mass, acoustic guitars, mandolins and other small stringed instruments, traditional Mexican hymns. Noon, guitar, youth choir, Gather hymnal (our pastor has banned any hymns where God speaks in the first person).
all musicians are volunteers, parish tried to pay a professional music director and results were ghastly, so I have been told.

 

[dream_wanderer]

We have masses where we use the organ. I like them and think it is used in a very reverent manner. The organ does not detract from the aura of mystery and worship.

We have a mass where they play the guitar. I like it and think it is used in a very reverent manner. The guitar does not detract from the aura of mystery and worship.

In other words…I don’t notice any difference. Maybe I’m in an extra special parish where they do all things correctly…but neither one stands out as more reverent than the other…or less reverent either.

dream wanderer

 

[anthony81OR]

Life Teen Masses have praise and worship songs. Also, there are instruments like drums added to it. I think it’s wonderful because, it’s what the kids want to hear. If they want more of a upbeat music, then let them hear. Just think of it this way, would you rather let your kids hear their own type of music at church, i.e. Praise and Worship, and more upbeat Christian music? I guarantee, most of the youth conferences have those music because, it makes the youth feel young and, more up to their style. I just want to say, the type of music you feel comfortable with is just fine but, the church always try to find a way to see that everybody is coming to church. I just love it when a priest say, “The children are the future of our church.” I’m not leaving everybody but, just see that, if you want your kids to continue to go to church, talk to them, they will listen either way.
Anthony

 

[robertaf]

Greetings Church

This is a tough question.

Praise and Worship music is not aimed at me. The real question is what does God think about it.
He is the gift giver. He gives the gift of music and the inspiration to share it. I thank Him for it.

Do I like singing Praise and Worship to the Lord?
I love it! I don’t sing well but I pray it is beautiful in the ears of God.

When I see people calling peoples praise, and abomination, I wonder what part of Catholicism you do not understand?