The Recovering Choir Director

Dale Price contributes some from-the-pew commentary on Catholic liturgy.

Once Average Joe has navigated this minefield, there is the final turnoff: the craptacular show tune/elevator music that permeates worship like a flu bug. Contrary to the evidence at Catholic Mass, men will sing. Men who don’t know the words will sing. Men who can’t sing will sing. Men who neither know the words nor have the ability to sing will sing…But, I solemnly assure you, men will not sing Marty Haugen. Or Tom Conry. Or David Haas. Or Sr. Delores Dufner (shudder!). Or Rory Cooney. Or Bob Hurd. Or anything by the St. Louis Jesuits. Syrupy ballads or folksy ditties cribbed from Peter, Paul & Mary or Phantom of the Opera leave men mute in the pews. They won’t sing the more traditional hymns if you insist on purging all references to masculinity from them. They won’t mouth the words. Hell, they won’t even pick up the song book. I know: I’m slowly beginning to join them. [Read on...]

Link courtesy of Chris Lugardo.