Why so many complaints about the music

[liturgyluver]

As a returing Catholic, I left shortly after Vatican II. I love singing the traditional hymns and chants. Prior to my return I spent 20 years in an orthodox Anglo-Catholic parish where we were blessed to have a very talented choirmaster. With the proper guidance, it is not difficult at all to sing most hymns accompanied by the organ, or to sing acapella the responsorial psalms, Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei in plainsong. It seems the Roman Catholic Church is slowly rediscovering the rich heritage of music that evokes reverence and awe during the liturgy. How did the Anglicans surpass us on this point? I am guessing they did not succumb to the post-Vatican II pablum that was fed to the RC Church by the OCP. The music needs to enhance the liturgy. I have heard that the Holy Father wishes to promote more traditional music as well. I just hope it doesn’t take years for it to trickle down into the US churches.

One more point, while the piano is a beautiful instrument, I much prefer the organ or the plainsong sung acapella. As for guitars or drums at Mass, no, no no thank you.

Your experience ties with mine. Whenever I attend ecumenical gatherings, or go to service of the words (Choral Evensong) or baptisms etc in the Church of England, I find the music joyfully interwines with the liturgy, and I love that fact that everyone participates in the singing compared with the very small percentage at my Catholic parish. In terms of execution of the liturgy, I have also found that even a middle-of-the road Anglican parish exudes a more traditional feel than a Catholic NO mass.

I hope the Anglicans joining the Catholic Church manage to import some of this beautiful music, tradition, and reverence into some of our churches.

 

[Pat_the_elder]

I’ve followed this thread with some interest - but its left me wondering if some in the Church are guilty of “religious snobbery”. In my parish there are 4 masses on Sundays. the 1st is the Sat evening vigil. Music for this is provided by an enthusiastic but, by his own admission, not very accomplished organist - so he keeps it simple although always tries to include “a wee bit” of Bach. Sun morning at 10 has an older but more experienced organist so its mostly “trad hymns”. 12 noon sees the choir accompanied by a very good organist and 6pm Mass has the “Youth Group” consisting of 2 flutes, 1 violin, 1 guitar and 3 amazing sopranos and 1 tenor. The age range is from 11-30 with the guitarist being the eldest and all the rest under 20. These kids meet at 4.30pm to discuss appropriate muic for that day’s Mass and will have a reaal mixture of contemporary, traditional (yes even Latin, the Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei are (if sung) always Latin, during Advent Gaudete is given an airing, Adeste Fidelis always has a place at Christmas and Panis Angelicus is a particular favourite at other times. Sure sometimes their choice of music isn’t everyones cup of tea - there’s only so much Chris Tomlinson el al the old stagers like me can take but these kids are the future of the Church - Any cash they get from secular “gigs” is ploughed back into equipment which is used to “improve” the congregations’ experience. Stuff like new radio mikes, a projector and lap top ( using reelworship). Chase people like this away with the insistance that Gregorian Chant or Plainsong is the preferred form of music and we’ll be left with a Church consisting of people who are more concerned with the mechanics of how we praise God rather than the fact that God loves a tryer

 

[liturgyluver]

I’ve followed this thread with some interest - but its left me wondering if some in the Church are guilty of “religious snobbery”. In my parish there are 4 masses on Sundays. the 1st is the Sat evening vigil. Music for this is provided by an enthusiastic but, by his own admission, not very accomplished organist - so he keeps it simple although always tries to include “a wee bit” of Bach. Sun morning at 10 has an older but more experienced organist so its mostly “trad hymns”. 12 noon sees the choir accompanied by a very good organist and 6pm Mass has the “Youth Group” consisting of 2 flutes, 1 violin, 1 guitar and 3 amazing sopranos and 1 tenor. The age range is from 11-30 with the guitarist being the eldest and all the rest under 20. These kids meet at 4.30pm to discuss appropriate muic for that day’s Mass and will have a reaal mixture of contemporary, traditional (yes even Latin, the Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei are (if sung) always Latin, during Advent Gaudete is given an airing, Adeste Fidelis always has a place at Christmas and Panis Angelicus is a particular favourite at other times. Sure sometimes their choice of music isn’t everyones cup of tea - there’s only so much Chris Tomlinson el al the old stagers like me can take but these kids are the future of the Church - Any cash they get from secular “gigs” is ploughed back into equipment which is used to “improve” the congregations’ experience. Stuff like new radio mikes, a projector and lap top ( using reelworship). Chase people like this away with the insistance that Gregorian Chant or Plainsong is the preferred form of music and we’ll be left with a Church consisting of people who are more concerned with the mechanics of how we praise God rather than the fact that God loves a tryer

Pat - it sounds like you have a great Parish there. I agree with you completely that there is room within the norms of the church to accomodate the diversity of musical traditions you have described above. It is possible to do it well, with careful choice of music and ensuring there is connectivity with the litrugical year and solemnity. Though I personally don’t like modern music, I know others who do appreciate it.

I notice you are from Scotland: On my trips to Scotland, I have always found that Scottish Catholics have good music. I attended a very pleasant vigil mass at the Catholic cathedral in Edinburgh which was very joyful.