Procrastination

[musicus]

Forgive me if this question has been posed (and answered) already; I did a search and found nothing.

One PP in our locality has informed at least one of his musicians that he is to continue using the 'old' music for the time being (i.e. settings of the shortly to be replaced Missal texts), as "that is permitted".

I am sure that this is contrary to the spirit of the imminent changes, but I cannot locate any definitive statements as to whether it is contrary to the law as well. Can anyone enlighten me (and, via me, one very concerned local musician)?

[kerrezza]

We were definitely told that we could continue to sing the old settings at a recent diocesan training day, and I have read it on one of the threads on here too.

[musicus]

Thanks. Now, can anyone direct me to any definitive statements, on here or otherwise?

[Southern Comfort]

In the Diocese of Portsmouth, the Bishop said in June this year:

On the question of music, many of our parishes over many years
have built up the tradition of singing at Mass, using the many
settings of the Ordinary which have appeared. I do not want us
to lose the settings of the Mass which we currently sing.

He then went on to say, wisely, that if everyone changed everything to something new on September 4, people would simply stop singing. He advocated a gradual transition, so that people would become accustomed to new or revised settings over a period of time.

[Hare]

In the Diocese of Portsmouth, the Bishop said in June this year:

On the question of music, many of our parishes over many years
have built up the tradition of singing at Mass, using the many
settings of the Ordinary which have appeared. I do not want us
to lose the settings of the Mass which we currently sing.

He then went on to say, wisely, that if everyone changed everything to something new on September 4, people would simply stop singing. He advocated a gradual transition, so that people would become accustomed to new or revised settings over a period of time.

The Bishop was obviously speaking in general terms. I am sure that many parishes have made the transition, and the people have kept on singing.

Apologies if the following is "off topic", but to my mind it flows from this discussion. (If "OT" perhaps it could be hived-off?)

I had a call earlier in the week from a parishioner in a neighbouring parish who occasionally attends mass in ours. She wanted to know if I could help her parish introducing music for the new translation, as they have no choir to speak of, and a not-very-confident organist who is an Anglican, and not au-fait with the new translation. I said I would be delighted to help, as long as the PP and organist were "on board". I have often wondered how many parishes like this there must be? I do hope that board members will be open to any requests for help they receive, and indeed offer help if they become aware of such situations.

[Southern Comfort]

Yes, parishes are transitioning well. Some odd things have been cropping up though, such as the lady who emailed me saying "We don't have to use any of these new or revised settings, do we? until they've been approved by Rome." Lots of misinformation out there still.

[Gedackt flute]

Yes, parishes are transitioning well. Some odd things have been cropping up though, such as the lady who emailed me saying "We don't have to use any of these new or revised settings, do we? until they've been approved by Rome." Lots of misinformation out there still.

Sorry to be going off-topic, but how many parishes have ever sung the mass settings anyway? I get the feeling that many RC's feel that the Sanctus etc. are choir-only items, or that it is forbidden to sing the mass.

This is an observation, not a criticism, but I get the feeling that many parishes have not begun the journey into the sung mass in the first place, and I know of at least two parish priests who have no intention of allowing singing at these points.

[musicus]

I am beginning to suspect that there is no 'chapter and verse' to be found on this. Is episcopal common sense the best we can hope for?

My worry is that some folk will never make the transition, thus perpetuating what I think is a genuine disconnection between the new spoken texts and the old sung ones. Certainly, we adopted a more bullish approach in the preparatory workshops that I was involved in. At any rate, we must surely agree tht the old paraphrases are now no longer permitted. Or is the piece of string utterly elastic?

[Nick Baty]

Sorry to be going off-topic, but how many parishes have ever sung the mass settings anyway? I get the feeling that many RC's feel that the Sanctus etc. are choir-only items, or that it is forbidden to sing the mass.

We have parishes who haven't yet got around to singing the old translation – if they didn't see the need to sing the right words then, why should they worry about the new words now.

I am regularly surprised to find parish musicians who honestly do not know what's available and/or where to find it. Whenever I look after music for events which attract people from a wide area (clergy funerals, for example) there will be at least one person who comes to ask where to obtain a particular item, appearing to be unaware of Decani, Magnificat, OCP et al.

At any rate, we must surely agree tht the old paraphrases are now no longer permitted

Of course, they never were. But as long as they're "in the book" they will still be sung.

[Gedackt flute]

I am regularly surprised to find parish musicians who honestly do not know what's available and/or where to find it ...

I think the problem is that many parish musicians do not wish to know what's available, yet alone where to find it.

[VML]

The most frustrating one here is our next parish where an extra diocesan training day was held, announced after six from our parish had travelled 35 miles to the cathedral day. In October I asked their organist how they were getting on. He said they hadn't changed anything yet as they didn't have any music and didn't know how to get any.

[musicus]

At any rate, we must surely agree tht the old paraphrases are now no longer permitted

Of course, they never were. But as long as they're "in the book" they will still be sung.

What I was getting at was that maybe, with at least a certain degree of heightened awareness about the new translation, people might think, "We're not ready with/for new settings yet, but we can at least continue to use settings of the previous text, although paraphrases won't do".

But why should they? That would require a level of awareness that they probably don't have. What a depressing and ironic conclusion, that the best of the old will go, but the worst of the old might persist!

Does anyone have anything to add in connection with my original question?

[alan29]

Maybe there is a case for Bishops directing that nothing should be sung if the alleluia and eucharistic acclamations are not sung.
And maybe work should be done nationally to disseminate materials to parishes, since if we were to wait for some diocesan liturgy set-ups, we would be waiting for ever. All it needs is a set of web addresses.

[Gedackt flute]

... contrary to the law ...

I don't think that there is any law that RC's follow in matters liturgical or otherwise. People simply make up their own minds.

[Nick Baty]

Maybe there is a case for Bishops directing that nothing should be sung if the alleluia and eucharistic acclamations are not sung.

Wasn't (should it be) the purpose of Singing the Mass?