P
Pariah_Pirana
Guest
“Dreck” means “dirt” or “mud” in German.
- Status
B
brotherhrolf
Guest
Sorry White Dove. It is also an old English word too. Drecht which does not have quite the same connotation. IMHO, I would classify a huge majority of the modern hymns as “Muppet Music” (Can’t you just see Kermie and Miss Piggy singing stuff like “I will go UP! to the altar of God”. More charitably, sacro-pop is a pretty good alternative.Er, ‘dreck’ is a naughty yiddish word meaning s%&t, my friend. What would Jesus’ mother say??? :tsktsk: :ehh:
P.S. I agree that there is a lot of saccherine dreck out there.
A
AuntMartha
Guest
Isn’t that the truth. I love to sing, but my voice cracks at high D. It’s very frustrating to be singing a song, and then at the best part, I have to stop singing or this horrible croak will come out. I wish more places would transpose. Why are the old songs always written with high D’s and above?
C
Catholic_Heart
Guest
Some Mass settings are easier to sing along with than others, that’s for sure. I sing with the choir, and there are times when even we find the key to be too high, or the tune to be awkward.
The responses are NEVER meant to be a solo only. However, many times the cantor will do the first part, and the congregation and choir will then join in. Maybe that is what was supposed to be happening.
**I have noticed…when I have to sit in the congregation for some reason…that people do not sing when the key is too high, or the music is hard to follow. That’s why Haugen Haas become so popular…Their music (which many consider to be bland) was at least singable…(for the most part, anyway) Harmonies were easy, too. **
People do not like to have to sing music that they are not comfortable with…That’s a no-brainer…
Has anyone here ever used the Lutheran “Green Book”? I always found most of the music in that book to be VERY hard to sing…
The responses are NEVER meant to be a solo only. However, many times the cantor will do the first part, and the congregation and choir will then join in. Maybe that is what was supposed to be happening.
**I have noticed…when I have to sit in the congregation for some reason…that people do not sing when the key is too high, or the music is hard to follow. That’s why Haugen Haas become so popular…Their music (which many consider to be bland) was at least singable…(for the most part, anyway) Harmonies were easy, too. **
People do not like to have to sing music that they are not comfortable with…That’s a no-brainer…
Has anyone here ever used the Lutheran “Green Book”? I always found most of the music in that book to be VERY hard to sing…
P
PJR
Guest
g)
OK, I’ll bite. What’s wrong with Peace is Flowing Like a River? I guess it would be schmaltzy but not that bad.
I agree that the unsingable acclamtions musicians are choosing are really annoying. However most of the crusty crabs around here don’t want music at all. What’s a musician to do?
We do have one group that likes to do everything ala live performance. They do the songs in rounds as someone stated above, which is really hard to join in on-especially when it stinks as was already mentioned.
Here’s another pet peeve, even if the congregation is singing along nicely, they always have to have the last word. So they’ll throw in an a cappela repeat of the last refrain or something. They have to have a solo somewhere just in case we were singing too well and didn’t notice how talented they were.
Also, I like Gather Us In. I think the melody is wonderful and the lyrics aint bad either. I’m going to raise some dander here, but IMO anyone who can’t follow that tune has a tin ear and it’s not the musicians fault.
T
thann
Guest
I have sung in church for more than 40 years, starting with children’s choir, doing the whole folk Mass thing, classical, Gregorian chant, and on and on. God gave me a wonderful voice and I got VERY prideful and loved being the “star” at Mass (even garnering applause!). I look back in shame on those misguided years. I had to learn humility, but that took years.
Now I am much older and much wiser. I sing in my parish choir and cantor (and occasionally sub for the two music directors). I have learned that I am NOT the star, and I sing in an entirely different way than I used to. I don’t show off my voice any more, choosing to play quiet instrumental music rather than sing solos as meditation.
If I am leading the music, I select singable, liturgically correct songs, and I always make sure the key is lower than written – the folks that transcribed the music for OCP/GIA/et al hymnals must be sadomasochists – NO ONE can sing well above that high D – you usually get silence, deep rumblings of people trying to sing an octave lower, or ear-piercing screeches!
I also select at least two traditional hymns for each Mass because it is wrong to lose our musical heritage. I vow to keep the older hymns alive however I can.
Folks sing LOUD when I play, easily drowning me out, and I am thrilled that the focus is no longer on me, but on the Sacrifice of the Mass, where it belongs.
'thann
Now I am much older and much wiser. I sing in my parish choir and cantor (and occasionally sub for the two music directors). I have learned that I am NOT the star, and I sing in an entirely different way than I used to. I don’t show off my voice any more, choosing to play quiet instrumental music rather than sing solos as meditation.
If I am leading the music, I select singable, liturgically correct songs, and I always make sure the key is lower than written – the folks that transcribed the music for OCP/GIA/et al hymnals must be sadomasochists – NO ONE can sing well above that high D – you usually get silence, deep rumblings of people trying to sing an octave lower, or ear-piercing screeches!
I also select at least two traditional hymns for each Mass because it is wrong to lose our musical heritage. I vow to keep the older hymns alive however I can.
Folks sing LOUD when I play, easily drowning me out, and I am thrilled that the focus is no longer on me, but on the Sacrifice of the Mass, where it belongs.
'thann
S
Scout
Guest
Well, I am honored to say that St. Patrick’s choir director, Therese Allen, is phenominal! She has a wonderful gift for choosing music and directing. The congregation always sings with the choir. Therese understands that the choir is there to assist the congregation-the choir isn’t there to call attention to themselves and show that they’re better singers than the congregation.
I wish every parish had a director like Therese. She’s wonderful.
Scout :tiphat:
I wish every parish had a director like Therese. She’s wonderful.
Scout :tiphat:
P
pnewton
Guest
Nothing is “wrong” as in evil with it, but its a jingle. The words could not be more inane. It would be as apropriate at a political function as Mass. I keep thinking some cola commericial will by the rights and use it.
“Pepsi’s flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.
Pepsi’s flowing like a river, setting all our taste buds free”
T
thann
Guest
LOL!!! Now I’ll NEVER be able to sing that song again (which might be a Good Thing)!
'thann
S
Scout
Guest
Scout :tiphat:
C
choirgirl
Guest
Solos do have a place in the church - that place is for the Psalm (as it is the Word of God, it should be proclaimed by 1 or 2 people, perferably with the congregation joining in for the response). Soloist should also be used to introduce music with is or may be newto some parishoners (ex. the soloist sings the refrain of the Gloria then welcomes the parish to join in).
It is my understanding that the GIRM frowns upon solos during a regular Mass (except in the aforementioned circumstances and a few other minor exceptions). The GIRM also frowns upon Communion meditation songs which are only instrumental or are designed for the choir/solos alone). Please note though, the GIRM only frowns upon these, and does not forbid them. So, personal opinion, use them sparingly and choose Mass settings conducive to all participating.
When in doubt whether or not to sing, just remember
It is my understanding that the GIRM frowns upon solos during a regular Mass (except in the aforementioned circumstances and a few other minor exceptions). The GIRM also frowns upon Communion meditation songs which are only instrumental or are designed for the choir/solos alone). Please note though, the GIRM only frowns upon these, and does not forbid them. So, personal opinion, use them sparingly and choose Mass settings conducive to all participating.
When in doubt whether or not to sing, just remember
- we are to make a JOYOUS NOISE unto the Lord (it says nothing about beautiful)
- if you aren’t singing harmony or melody, call it JAZZ and sing louder
P
PJR
Guest
“Folks sing LOUD when I play, easily drowning me out, and I am thrilled that the focus is no longer on me, but on the Sacrifice of the Mass, where it belongs.”
Ditto that. The solo guys can’t figure out why people don’t sing as loud when they play as when me and partner do. I love to hear the congregation belt it out.
I guess now I can’t ever sing Peace Is Flowing without thinking of Pepsi either. BTW everyone loves it and sings it almost as loud as How Great Thou Art and Sent Forth By God’s Blessing around here. You guys have ruined it for me. BOO HOO.
I thought the lyrics were refering to the Church flowing from the side of Christ. Similar to I Saw Water Flowing used at Easter Vigil.
Ditto that. The solo guys can’t figure out why people don’t sing as loud when they play as when me and partner do. I love to hear the congregation belt it out.
I guess now I can’t ever sing Peace Is Flowing without thinking of Pepsi either. BTW everyone loves it and sings it almost as loud as How Great Thou Art and Sent Forth By God’s Blessing around here. You guys have ruined it for me. BOO HOO.
I thought the lyrics were refering to the Church flowing from the side of Christ. Similar to I Saw Water Flowing used at Easter Vigil.
J
jimmy
Guest
There is nothing wrong with the prayers being sung by the choir alone. That is how the Tridentine Mass is done. They sang the Angus Dei, The Sanctus, and all other prayers while the people worshiped in a more interior style. There is nothing wrong with an exterior type of worship, the Byzantine Churches have a very external type of worship and it is absolutely beautiful.
I don’t like the solo type singing where one person sings, I prefer a choir. It sounds much better, and makes the Mass more beautiful. Our focus should be on making the Mass as beautiful as possible.
I do not like the modern music. We need to return to a more traditional style of music.
C
CatholicCid
Guest
The only solo songs I could see are Al Shadi and Ave Maria… And Ave at times makes a Beatiful duet depending on the singer… And just those songs because it is much more beatiful, mystifying and reverencing when someone who can sing it beatifully sings alone…
"
My old Parish Priest would say "If you have a bad voice, Sing twice as loud. Think of it as payback to our Lord.
"
D
Dr.Bombay
Guest
Well, I did hear it compared to “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” one time. And listening to Gordon Lightfoot moan thru one of his “classics” even once would give anyone a tin ear.
You can also sing the “Brady Bunch” lyrics to “Here I am Lord.” :tiphat:
F
FrmrTrad
Guest
I just wish they do it quietly. Whether you have OCP music or Catholic music, if it is too loud, it won’t help me pray one bit.
G
gelsbern
Guest
All I have to say is that if the worst thing that happens at your church is a soloist singing, you should consider yourself blessed.
It is amazing how many little things that people find to kibitz about.
What ever happened to offering your sufferings up to God.
No kneelers? Kneel on the floor and offer it up to God.
Music too loud? Offer it up to God.
Don’t like soloists? Offer your discomfort up to God.
Church too warm/cold/noisy? Offer it up to God.
C’mon people, there are pedophile priests, liturgical abusers, and just plain nut cases, and you are making a big deal about someone soloing a song? Sing under your breath and offer it to our Lord.
It is amazing how many little things that people find to kibitz about.
What ever happened to offering your sufferings up to God.
No kneelers? Kneel on the floor and offer it up to God.
Music too loud? Offer it up to God.
Don’t like soloists? Offer your discomfort up to God.
Church too warm/cold/noisy? Offer it up to God.
C’mon people, there are pedophile priests, liturgical abusers, and just plain nut cases, and you are making a big deal about someone soloing a song? Sing under your breath and offer it to our Lord.
P
pnewton
Guest
OUCH! and, by the way,
D
Dr.Bombay
Guest
People kibitzing on internet message boards getting under your skin? Offer it up to God.
G
gelsbern
Guest
Dr. Bombay:
touche’
- Status