Choir posturing
The individual who forwarded the following story to me permitted its posting on condition of anonymity. I took the additional liberty of obscuring the region where the parish in question is located.
The following story illustrates the depth of the problem of Catholic music today, and the way in which the problem persists despite any central design. As usual, names have been left out to prevent acts of vengeance.
A parish has a deeply entrenched folk music group that dominates all liturgies. As usual, the issue of music has been the source of a notable degree of friction. As is typical, 10% percent of the parish loves it, 10% hates it, and the other 80% don’t care that much either way but everyone knows of the conflict.
A new pastor arrives, a young man who ridiculed the aging-hippie approach to liturgy all throughout seminary. He has a strong desire to fix the problem. He doesn’t want to upset people, but he was on the verge of taking small steps toward dislodging the monopoly, and at least providing a solemn option.
Then the Bishop (not known as a Vatican II liberal in any sense) paid a visit. The folk-rock group turned up the volume and did their rendition of the Greatest Catholic Hits of 1973. At the liturgy and following a particular loud sing-along, the Bishop praised the group to the skies for their glorious musical contribution to parish life, the participation they inspire, the energy they create, and all the rest.
The comments set back the pastor, who is now more reticent than ever to make a change. He has been put on notice: one phone call to the chancery from the lead guitarist could get him in a heap of trouble. The music group is empowered as never before. The long-suffering parishioners with a sense of taste and decorum are now demoralized. The status quo has never been more secure.
Here we have a look into the heart of how it is that Catholic liturgy is so shabby and why it is so difficult to change. The answer is all about the dynamics of parish life, and aging Bishops who can’t seem to move on. These are factors which are hardly understood by those who favor attempts to restore what has been lost.
Ah, Monsieur Péguy, how right you are.
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11 Comments
Peace, all.
I can see why one would hesitate to publish the location. Church musicians would be falling over their organ pipes to get that kind of power.
Seriously, I’m mystified. One group; all Masses? A parish small enough for only one Mass probably has little enough talent to draw upon to begin with. Anytime a bishop praises musicians in that kind of situation, maybe it’s not too bad. Could your friend get us a recording or something?
The scenario described sounds very plausible to me. Bishops can and do make mistakes. They make pronouncements on things of which they are ignorant.
Since I work in marketing, I wonder too about the demographic that has given up attending this parish because it doesn’t have a more traditional and/or quiet, sober liturgy. The folk group appeals to a certain type of parishioner–particularly products of the Catholic school system. What about the teachers, college professors and other professionals? Maybe they’d like to hear some more traditional music .
I am a church musician, singing, playing the organ and sometimes directing. I too have a problem with introducing quality music, either historical, or of this century. I feel that the issues begin with musical education, or lack of it, in Catholic schools. If pupils were taught to read music properly, instead of just guitar tablature or improvisation, this would empower both choirs and congregations to explore a wider repertoire. What do others think?
Peace, Claire.
You’ve got company in your questions of music education in Catholic schools. American schools in general, actually.
Reading guitar tablature is an advanced music reading skill — few church guitarists have it, and I’m better at reading regular music notation. Improvisation is actually a very useful skill that I don’t see a whole lot of either.
But back to your point: I think schools in general underfund the arts. That may be an American failing, not an exclusively Catholic one. Schools also overemphasize sports, and Catholic schools are just as guilty there.
The repertoire problem is more one of personnel training, access to resources, and willingness to experiment: three commodities in short supply in our institutional church.
“You’ve got company in your questions of music education in Catholic schools. American schools in general, actually.”
But why can’t Catholic schools be better? Maybe the entrenched anti-intellectual know-nothingness combined with commercial interests inhibit at least some better music being taught. We’re always told how much better Catholic school students do in comparison to their public school counterparts. Apparently this doesn’t apply to music.
I’m sure the blended worship model that works in Kansas City is the answer.
A Parish Music Program
This from Aristotle Esguerra sounds entirely plausible. My own home parish has two choirs. The adult choir is a combination…
Blended worship model in KC?
Is this a good thing, or irony?
I ask as we’ve moved to KC, and are looking for a church with at least some “traditional” music. You can even consider this a comment bleg!
“Blended worship model in KC? Is this a good thing, or irony?”
Irony. Some people act as though the New Jerusalem has been ushered in with what they do in their parishes. I also get very tired of the “wise man” syndrome whereby any assertion is countered with some patronizing, holier-than-thou rejoinder.
Peace, Mark.
I would very much like to see Catholic schools do better in the area of the arts, but the school subculture tends to be a tough nut to crack. The standard is set by what the best of the public schools stress: sports and test scores. I’m grateful for children’s involvement in liturgy. When I formed a new children’s choir for Sunday liturgy this year, would you believe people actually criticized the effort? Thankfully most have been supportive.
The pastor remains the principal liturgist of the parish. He can either suggest that all musical selections used in liturgy be made known to him first (a declaration of war!), or…
Better yet,
1. Leave the aging hippies alone with their own Mass, but….
2. Form another group of, hopefully, younger people and teach them to sing Gregorian chant, for assisting at another Sunday Mass, and during solemnities.
Drum up interest for the new group by publicizing it in the church bulletin, diocesan publication, and the post-Mass announcements.
I am praying for this pastor.
Follow this link to see a similar story. I assume Bishop Murphy is running scared and wants to look hip, especially with the graying hippies. Don’t let the picture fool you. The young girl is the daughter of the rock mass director.
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