I find this article by Damian Thompson (Catholic Herals) mean-spirited.
His first clever “swipe” was at an amateur organist, of whom Mr. Thompson said, “would fail their Grade 1 piano exam.”
That’s mean! A volunteer organist is ikely someone who hasn’t had extensive training and does not have long hours to practice. They may have had lessons at some point, but probably didn’t major in music, and it’s possible that they learned to play on their own out of a willingness to step up and help out in their parish.
If a parish does not have a piano, many pianists will simply say “No,” when asked if they can play for Mass. But this organist said “Yes”…and instead of praising this person for their willingness to do their best, Mr. Thompson makes fun of him/her. Shame on him! This is the kind of thing that causes many children, teens, and adults to keep any musical knowledge a deep, dark secret from everyone in the parish. It is never appropriate to insult anyone who is stepping up and doing their best. Never.
So from the very beginning of the article I mistrusted Mr. Thompson.
My distrust in him increased when I learned that he STOPPED GOING TO MASS BECAUSE OF THE MUSIC!
In other words, he wasn’t attending Mass to participate in the Liturgy of the Word and to receive Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, in the Blessed Sacrament during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
He was just there to hear a good concert.
And without “his tunes, man!”, he was unable to see Jesus. That’s so incredibly sad, and such a terrible example for other Catholics and Protestants as well. This man should not be writing for a major Catholic periodical.
His knowledge of music history has some holes in it. There are plenty of examples of “cobbling musicals ideas and styles.” Since the beginning of the Church of Christ in the New Testament, church music has evolved and changed with every generation.
He describes Gregorian chant and polyphony in glowing words, but fails to mention that these musical styles were NOT sung by a congregation that had previously sung during the Mass. Instead, these styles were so difficult that professional musicians were hired, and the congregation lost the right to sing Mass music.
I do agree with Mr. Thompson that the reason why church music (not just Catholic music) is not “glorious” is that we no longer sing together. This is why i am very skeptical about the possibility of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony gaining a major, regular place in most parishes other than those in university towns and in huge cities with a large number of professionally-trained musicians–it’s simply not possible for a congregation to sing these musical styles with the very poor musical background that most of them have. And it’s also unlikely that any parish will be willing to set aside a major percentage of the budget to pay a professional schola or choir when there are so many other urgent and expensive needs in the parish.
I hope that the Catholic Herald will find a new music writer with a heart not only for music, but for the people who make and listen to the music.
