Society of Saint Gregory

Not sure how much this will help, but I found it on the web: 'There was a feud between a Pastor and his Choir Director. It seems the first hint of trouble came when the Pastor preached on dedicating yourselves to service and the Choir Director chose to sing: "I Shall Not Be Moved." Trying to believe ...

The underlying problem is that we still haven't assimilated the fact that the post-conciliar liturgy is a very different animal from its pre-conciliar predecessor. Before, the congregation were passive spectators who expected to be uplifted in prayer, and even (cf. Salzburg at the time of Mozart ...

Art 114 gives cathedrals have a licence to set the balance differently, with more emphasis on choral music, but not to the exclusion of the congregation. Fully agree. Art 114 appears to urge all churches (including and especially cathedrals) to cultivate choirs, but this must remain consistent with ...

114. The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted, especially in cathedral churches; but bishops and other pastors of souls must be at pains to ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body ...

[quote="mcb But what about tradition? I think it's a seriously skewed vision of Vatican II to believe that the liturgical renewal means wholesale redpudiation of our musical heritage. It must be the case that the Church still sees a place for the Palestrina Pope Marcellus Mass or the Durufl ...

Perhaps amplification would help a choir or cantor who is not optimally located. We have a handful of singers to lead the congregation, sitting in one wing, with a mike to help their voices carry. Most people cannot see them. There has been talk of enlarging this cantor group, but that might be at ...

How does anybody know who a pseudonym belongs to? An advantage of pseudonyms is that we can focus on what is right rather than who is right. Even if a few do know who a pseudonym belongs to, it would be nice if this remained a mystery to the rest of us. Let us live in blissful ignorance without ...

"a misguided conviction that the individual in question has a musical leadershp role that can be exercised from within the assembly. I know - I've stood next to someone like this more than once." I am picturing somebody who actually bursts forth into a solo uninvited, from the pews during Mass. If ...

" Then there are those who argue that it is participatory enough to participate by listening and praying, not by singing and praying. " I am sure the Holy Spirit can touch even those who are present but half asleep. While even that might be sufficient participation, it is probably better to be fully ...

Agree that a choir which serves mainly as cantor and accompanist can encourage participation. I feel that the choice of music has a lot to do with participation. The more competent a choir (or director), the greater the tendency to look down on the kind of music that anybody can join in with. Of ...

The topic is probably important and illuminating beyond any individual's predicament. From the viewpoint of economic theory alone, priests are paid because without them there would be much less reason for attendance (and income). Organists might be next in line because they are perceived to ...

"monastic plainchant and other quality religious choral music ... awful songs where only one word changes from verse to hideous verse." Plainchant, especially using familiar texts and tones, is wonderful for encouraging wide participation. Choirs don't often do plainchant. Caco-polyphony (shall we ...

Some parishes seem to do well with just somebody to start off the singing, and mostly familiar music. An organ or other instrument can help keep the pitch and encourage participation. People's participation in the Mass sometimes can seem better with this approach than with a well-rehearsed choir. To ...

Some songs seem to draw nearly everyone in, almost irresistibly. Others less so, whether ancient or modern. The experts will probably know why. Participatory singing seems to aid concentration. Better music can often be made by a well-rehearsed choir, who presumably sing in stead of the people. Does ...

I am getting worried now. Nearly everyone sings lustily in our church, including one or two who should perhaps sing slightly less loudly. Are these local favourites okay? Amazing Grace Be not afraid Faith of our fathers Be still for the presence of the Lord Be thou my vision Lord of all hopefulness ...