Hands and Feet #82 - Music to God’s Ears
- Blondes make guys dumber
- The Rosary-a biblical prayer
- Real Catholic Heroes: Catholics who put rosaries on their rear view mirrors featuring guest performer Javier
- Theology of the Body: Three things with Bill Donaghy
- What’s wrong with liturgical music? A candid discussion of liturgical music.
- http://www.missionmoment.org
Thanks for the shoutout to my podcast guys! The website is www.missionmoment.org by the way, not missionmoments
No worries!
I am 64 years old and have been a choir director for 40 years. the first 27 years in the Catholic Church, the last 13 as director of the “New Celebration Singers”, an interdenominational concert group of 60-70 voices. I directed in three Catholic Churches and have always been blessed with large choirs. I am a practicing Catholic and attend Mass nearly every day.
I am not active in the music program of our parish any longer but always sing from the pews.
I have heard many different styles of music in the church from youth oriented rock (loud enough to vibrate your clothes)to country western, etc. I grew up during the time of the Latin Mass and Gregorian Chant but really like nearly all styles when done well.
The key to good music is “inspiration”. That begins with the attitude of the musical leaders be it an individual, a praise team or a choir. Is the music bringing the congregation closer to God or is it disigned to satisfy (unknowingly, in some cases) the ego of the presenters?
Plenty of sincere prayer and planning must go into music to make it inspirational. The talent of the musical leaders is important but they must always die to self agenda wise and fulfill the needs of the congregation first and foremost.
After each Mass the leadership must review in his/her mind whether or not the effort was truely inspirational FOR THE CONGREGATION. Otherwise the same mistakes will be made next week and thereafter. This is easily done with one self searching question. Are the people really, enthusiatically singing?
I find today a lot of the music in the Catholic Church is very difficult for the congregation to sing. Changing tempos, high and low range, etc. This will discourage and lose congregational participation. The congregation learns the music by rote, they do not sight read. SIMPLE IS VERY GOOD.
The bishops need to reign in some of the music in the Church only because it is very easy to abuse today with personal agenda and little concern for the congregation. Regrettably this happens all too often.
One of your team mentioned the talent available in some churches may make good music difficult. There are times when we, the Body of Christ, must accept and live with what we have without complaint. Musical need will always be somewhere.
So keep on singing folks and God bless your efforts!
Bob D’Aurelio
Newbury, OH