I think that singing (or playing the piano) in the choir is a good way to learn how to submit graciously and cheerfully to an appointed leader, whether you like him/her or his/her song selections or not.
There are too many of us who simply will not submit cheerfully to a leader because we think we are much smarter than the jerk who’s in charge.
Singing (or playing) in the choir is a great way to learn to be humble, to allow others to exercise their spiritual gifts, and to love and apprecaite those who do not see eye to eye with us.
I used to think that I knew how to teach children how to sing songs, so I did a lot of “assistant directing” from the piano. Finally, the old lady who was leading the choir told me off firmly. She made it clear that a good choir can only have ONE director, not a gallery. And she let me know that since the church had appointed HER as the director, I would either yield to her leadership or I could resign.
After I swallowed my giantic ego and huge pride of self, I submitted to this dear lady, and for the next ten years, we were an unbelievably productive team. I learned so much from this director. Sure, there were times I would have chosen different pieces, or I would have done things differently than her. But I deliberately chose to let HER work out her appointed role, and I stuck to my appointed role of pianist. It was a great experience.
I highly suggest that those who think they know everything when it comes to Catholic music try being in the choir and allowing someone else to call the shots. It’s a good spiritual exercise.
