How many planners?

[VML]

Just an update on this. It has now been decided, (I am told that I agreed last month,) that each Sunday will have a different leader. The group plans each month, and we take turns to lead. I get to lead the second Sunday of each month. I was told tonight that, following an email invitation from the 'group secretary' to all on the music list, we have a volunteer to lead the fourth Sunday: a professional musician who comes a couple of times a month to Mass but not ever at any practices, as she teaches every evening. She is actually a long time friend and colleague, and a superb musician, piano and flute, and occasionally plays the organ for hymns. She is not a Catholic, though her husband is, and she has never taken part in organising any Mass music. No one thought to tell me this new arrangement until the meeting tonight. She was, of course, not there, and I think she will be embarrassed to find how this has been organised.
I was even told tonight that I clearly enjoy singing, because I sang some harmonies at our last practice.....to 'Walk in the light'....Wasn't that clever of me?!
Apparently I have had things my way for too long.
I think now any practice apart from Sunday before Mass will fall apart. As Nick says on another thread, the main singers, the people in the pew, are always there. It will be hard work having a different leader each week though, especially this year.

[gwyn]

I admire your commitment VML.

I'd have walked by now. A church musician's qualities and capabilities are seldom noticed or valued until he or she is, for whatever reason, not available to demonstrate them. It's usually only at such times that it is realised just how much work is involved.

I'd be inclined to give them a little taste of absence. They may not - in the ego-fest that may result - notice that you're not there, on the other hand . . .

Just a knee-jerk thought.
Gwyn.

[Nick Baty]

Ditto!

[VML]

Thanks to you both. Friends on this forum help keep me sane.
I am getting very close to walking. Nothing has been said about a rota for availability for weddings and funerals....My husband is ready to opt out too.
The arrival of my friend as a formal leader explains why she came up to last weeks leader after Mass and asked why he played 'Abba, Father' in the wrong rhythm.

[musicus]

My advice would be to take a sabbatical. I took a convenient year off from a difficult situation to write a book - and never went back! I'm now part of the music team in a lovely parish where the people play their part and really appreciate what the musicians do to support them. If, occasionally, something happens that they don't like, they come and tell you to your face, but nicely.

The parish I left now has different music and different leaders very week. I couldn't work that way. Some folks argue that this is for the benefit of the people, but it is, of course, solely for the convenience of the musicians. The people deserve better.

VML, we don't have to put up with this nonsense, and, as volunteers, why should we? Life is too short.

[alan29]

I agree with Musicus. I did the same thing - took a break. Now I am back only to play, not to plan or rehearse and with no pressure. It is too easy to get tied into a negative situation where too much is expected of us "as of right" and where there is little appreciation.

[JW]

A sabbatical would also give you space to offer your important musical ministry, perhaps temporarily, to other parishes who may be starved of the musical gifts and enthusiasm that seem evident in your parish.

[johnquinn39]

VML - I hope this is of some help.

When I moved to another parish some years ago to join the music team, I made it clear that I would not be 'in charge' of the music.

I report with music suggestions to a liturgy planning team with a chairperson, and a flexible membership of whoever turns up.

Some of what I have suggested has been received with enthusiasm, some not.

Unfortunately a lot of good work and planning are often sabotaged by people with little training or knowledge (the Liturgy Police).

I have gained considerable peace of mind in recent years by simply giving up trying to disagree with these people. For them, no text is too meaningless or misleading, or any melody too derivative or sub-standard. The important sung parts of the Mass are to them peripheral and on no account must they be sung to the official translations

They have the final word, and it seems no-one can or will do anything about it.

[VML]

Thanks you all for your encouraging practical replies.
I hope I can stand by my decision to turn up for just one Sunday a month. Already, I can feel a weight lifted from me, (metaphorically speaking, you understand, ). For the first time in over twenty years I will not have to make sure I tell someone if I am going away or we want to go to a different Mass.
Leading up to Pentecost has been a good time to trust in my Dad's best Friend, (- and co-driver till he was almost 90..) the Holy Spirit.
Haven't told PP yet.
I think he, along with most of the parish, would think it all sounded great even if we sang Colours of day, Bind us together, and the Israeli, and especially As I kneel before you. The cynic in me is not nice.

[oopsorganist]

Hi VML
sounds like what bears do in the woods in your neck of the woods.
You have been given an opportunity - to have weekends away, to go to other churches, to be free.
Give what you want to and look around.
I would love to be in your position and to be able to feel that others care enough for me to wander off and have some freedom.

It is a sign that there is something else that is calling for you to do!

[oopsorganist]

Replying to my own post
... in our neck of the woods we are "advised"to do Missal for a couple of months.
Wish I could wander off........................

[HallamPhil]

In my 'neck of the woods' we consider that the missal tones offer the possibility of singing greeting, gospel dialogue, preface dialogue, doxology and dismissal which most are not singing usually. This is a positive take on the Missal tones ... but we may choose not to take up the Missal tones for the other elements of the Ordinary of the Mass.

[MaryR]

In my 'neck of the woods' we consider that the missal tones offer the possibility of singing greeting, gospel dialogue, preface dialogue, doxology and dismissal which most are not singing usually

Ah, but only if your priest sings!

Have we strayed off topic?

[musicus]

Yes. Back to it, please.