Rock Band Type Music at Mass and Tender Ears

[ProVobis]

I blame it on the fact that nobody who mattered bothered to read the Vatican II documents.

They only read what they wanted to read. Most skipped or ignored the Latin, Gregorian chant, and pipe organ parts. It’s really ironic the Protestants ended up with most of the organists and pipe organs. At least that’s what I gather watching youtube videos.

 

[Phemie]

You know, not all choir Directors are idiots.

We can only do what we are told to do by pastors.
The last 3 job interviews a had for a Music Director position I made it clear I knew what I was doing regarding, Liturgy, Chant, timeless Music as well as more Contemporary things. I was degreed in Piano AND Organ.
These parishes were CLEARLY not interested.
They wanted someone who could lead a choir in Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Children, and Contemporary.

So it’s time to stop bashing the musicians.
I’m frankly really tired of it.

I ended up accepting a position as DRE in a Parish just to make a decent wage. At least they acknowledged the Theology degree. They couldn’t care less about the Music Degree.

I’m sorry. I’m simply not used to a parish having anyone in the music ministry in a paid position. All my experience over the last 60+ years has been with volunteers. Generally if we had professional musicians they were school teachers who offered their services to the Church. And because they are volunteers they are often so desperately wanted/needed that they pretty much dictate what they will play and sing, much like the ones in the parish described above who stated they wouldn’t sing that “old-fashioned music” again.

In my present parish, we don’t even pay for a secretary. When I resigned in 2011, after putting in an extra 7 months to allow them to find someone else, they didn’t bother to replace me and the position was eliminated from the budget. At the time I was making minimum wage, a strange place to be after 13 years, especially since I’d started at a few dollars above minimum, but the province had increased minimum to $10/hr and the parish was struggling to pay that.

Someone was foolish enough to go in and start doing some of my duties. I think she thought they’d hire her but she’s still doing those things today and complaining bitterly about being expected to do them even though she’s not getting paid.

The bookkeeping is also now being done by a volunteer, with the help of a volunteer accountant.

So, yes, anytime they can get someone for nothing they will take advantage of it. It’s been a thorn in my side for years that whenever we say something needs to be done and start looking for funds for labour, a member of parish council will always chime up with “I think we should ask so and so, who does that type of work, to do it for nothing. As a member of the parish he/she should consider it his/her duty.”

 

[PJM]

This is more a curiosity question, a “what would you do?” sort of thing…

Our parish has five Masses every weekend. We have tried them all. They all have some form of rock band type music, with drum sets and electric guitars.

It is a rather small venue and they turn the sound system way up.

My children, especially my son, simply cannot handle the volume or type of sound. They all prefer the quieter Mass with gregorian chanting way across town, even though it is in Latin and is half again as long.

The catechesis and sacramental prep programs, as well as community activities for children, at our parish, are great. And the parish is full of great people. And the priests are very knowledgeable and deliver truthful and hard-hitting homilies.

But my son cannot be in the Mass without noise-canceling headphones on during the music portions of the liturgy (which even happens during communion). He is making his First Holy Communion in two weeks at this parish, so we are required to attend at least that Mass (and he probably won’t be permitted headphones at that Mass). And my oldest daughter cannot bear the sound either and sticks her fingers in her ears, although she is not forced to leave the Mass due to the sound.

Would you, as a parent, just choose to always attend Mass at the other parish across town?

Or would you continue to attend Mass at your home parish, and just always bring along the noise-canceling headphones?

Or…would you speak up to someone at the parish about the volume of sound, and risk making yourself persona non grata at your parish?

Just curious how others would handle this. Thanks!

I’d either change parishes if possible, OR have a meeting with the Pastor.

The goal, the AIM of the music is to LIFT our minds and hearts to God, NOT be a detraction. Amen!

PJM

 

[pianistclare]

I’m sorry. I’m simply not used to a parish having anyone in the music ministry in a paid position. All my experience over the last 60+ years has been with volunteers. Generally if we had professional musicians they were school teachers who offered their services to the Church. And because they are volunteers they are often so desperately wanted/needed that they pretty much dictate what they will play and sing, much like the ones in the parish described above who stated they wouldn’t sing that “old-fashioned music” again.

In my present parish, we don’t even pay for a secretary. When I resigned in 2011, after putting in an extra 7 months to allow them to find someone else, they didn’t bother to replace me and the position was eliminated from the budget. At the time I was making minimum wage, a strange place to be after 13 years, especially since I’d started at a few dollars above minimum, but the province had increased minimum to $10/hr and the parish was struggling to pay that.

Someone was foolish enough to go in and start doing some of my duties. I think she thought they’d hire her but she’s still doing those things today and complaining bitterly about being expected to do them even though she’s not getting paid.

The bookkeeping is also now being done by a volunteer, with the help of a volunteer accountant.

So, yes, anytime they can get someone for nothing they will take advantage of it. It’s been a thorn in my side for years that whenever we say something needs to be done and start looking for funds for labour, a member of parish council will always chime up with “I think we should ask so and so, who does that type of work, to do it for nothing. As a member of the parish he/she should consider it his/her duty.”

yeah. So much for Social Justice.
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard someone say “lets only hire them full time so we don’t have to pay benefits.” I heard that today, even.

 

[Phemie]

yeah. So much for Social Justice.
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard someone say “lets only hire them full time so we don’t have to pay benefits.” I heard that today, even.

Ah, yes, the “permanent part-time to avoid paying benefits” ploy. That’s pretty much SOP in most businesses today. I’m on the board of a co-op venture and contract negotiations are scheduled in June. I know that the manager has been fighting hiring full-time staff, for that very reason.

 

[graciew]

I’ll wager they are willing volunteers.

Well, at least they DO find volunteers for something,Claire. Let ’ s rescue the positive!..
Sometimes it feels like town circus life: the same one who sells the tickets,then does the clown and later turns into the juggler… :sad_yes: volunteers’ life is sometimes like that!
Time to enroll in your parish ministries!kpeople:

 

[pianistclare]

I work at a parish. well over 40 hours a week. I work two 12 hour days…well over 40 hours a week. It has been 3 weeks since I had a day off.
I well know what volunteers do and don’t do.
I’m out.