Should choirs/musicians be situated only in choir lofts?

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edam95 said:
I’m not sure if this is the place to post thisbut,I’m confused because my mom has been in a choir for years,standing in the front of the church on the right in front of the pews, the priest always stands on the left. Her choir has been told by a new priest they have to stand in the back or upstairs (they are all 60 or above) because people couldn’t see the altar.I’m confused because they’ve been in the front for 35 years or more.They sit when music isn’t being played and I miss the sound of the choir. None of them wanted to change so now there’s no choir. I think music brings so much to the whole service. Anyway, my argument to the priest was that if I was blind I could still worship and I wouldn’t have to see the altar and that those who sit in the back won’t see it anyway. His answer was “thankfully we aren’t blind”,and he wouldn’t budge. What is truly the “rule” for the choir and where they should stand? Does my mom have a chance for the choir to go back in the front?
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The priest is right. The choir at the front of the Church puts the focus on the choir instead of on the Lord.
Additionally, it’s Mass, not service. Those are two different things. And music is not required for Mass.
 
Yeah, the priest is right. The choir at our church is up in the loft and the music just soars out to us - ethereal.
 
the priest is right, but pastoral care would indicate installing a lift or elevator if it is required and is affordable.
 
The priest is right. I think it would be a little different if the choir wasn’t blocking the altar. It is a shame that the net result was no choir.

You mention that the choir is all 60+. I am reminded that our Holy Father is coming to visit this week. He is 81 and making the trip. I wonder how much of the choir disbanding is age and how much is pride. I find it strange that no one can climb stairs. Besides, didn’t you say that sitting in back was also an option? So is age an issue or an excuse?
 
The entire choir quit because they don’t get to be up front any more? That really hints at their motives for being in the choir, don’t you think?
 
VociMike said:
The entire choir quit because they don’t get to be up front any more? That really hints at their motives for being in the choir, don’t you think?
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Possibly because the choir was not considered in any of the decisions made in regard to the logistical problems, and musical problems involved in making major changes to the choir.
 
Thank you for your replies. My mother’s family was brought up Catholic but I wasn’t so I really wasn’t sure of the “rule” so to speak on the choir. I was a little shocked at some of the comments on the choir being in the front only because my uncle who has been a priest for over 30 years is totally supporting the choir. I also didn’t mention I’m from a very small town in Vt. and that the church has no other place to put the choir except way in the back by the door or in the front.Also another clarification is that they stand in front for the song they sing, then sit in the first pew until another song. For the reply about the 60+ not going up the stairs I also should have went farther in letting people know the stairs are not in great condition(cracks and falling apart a bit) and they all do have health problems(knees,feet etc.) I sometimes forget that I’m in such a small town so I’m sorry if any of you thought of this as a big choir. There are only 5 members. Again my apologies for not thoroughly explaining. Thank you all for your (name removed by moderator)ut. I was actually brought up protestant so wasn’t sure. Also my apologies for calling it a service. I realized I used the wrong word. Protestants here say service and I wasn’t thinking about the fact I was referring to a Catholic Mass. Sorry,if I offended anyone. One last thing,HelenRose you hit it, they had no say in anything at all, they were just told how it was going to be.
 
Yes, if possible. As a singer, I love singing from the choir loft. Your voice can float fully around the Church. It’s a wonderful feeling, singing from such a height. It’s a beautiful experience and I think it gives the soloist/choir a home. It also makes you feel like one of the congregation, as you are facing the sanctury.
 
edam95 said:
Also my apologies for calling it a service. I realized I used the wrong word. Protestants here say service and I wasn’t thinking about the fact I was referring to a Catholic Mass. Sorry,if I offended anyone.
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Me too. I still get called on the carpet occasionally. Old habits die hard.
 
HelenRose said:
Possibly because the choir was not considered in any of the decisions made in regard to the logistical problems, and musical problems involved in making major changes to the choir.
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Quite so - that possible explanation seemed to have been overlooked.

Over my years of hard slog in parishes, having had a few priests and self-appointed busybodies make unilateral decisions that create enormous difficulties, I now explain how various decisions affect us and give folks one or two further chances to “get” that they need to inform me in advance and give us a chance to comment before implementing anything affecting the musicians and preventing them from doing their best at Mass. Sometimes things just have to be the way they have to be, but even so there’s ways of doing and saying things. I’ve had my volunteer time, hard work and commitment ridden rough-shod over and taken for granted often - once or twice may be totally excusable ignorance, the third time onward, it starts to look like arrogance. Sometimes “I quit” is the only appropriate response.
 
The post conciliar documents clearly state that the architectural design will determine the positioning of the area where liturgical music will be presented. After VII, considerable variety was given to architectural design. Many post VII churches were designed without galleries (choir lofts) and therefor other places were designated for the offering of liturgical music. Today, many new churches are built with galleries. Why? Because the production of music can be very distracting even with the most disciplined of musicians. Its just the nature of making music. NOTHING should distract the congregants from liturgy. As an Organist and Director of Liturgical Music, I am very uncomfortable within the view of the congregants because I know that playing the organ/directing the scholas and all of the necessary movements are distracting. Another major consideration is the acoustics of the church.
 
choirs are placed depending on what space is available in their church. its as simple as that. we love the choir loft but thats just us. we move around the church to fit the services too but the choir loft is our home:D we like it there
 
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