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Church choirs; Music at Mass
Topic Started: Wednesday, 14. January 2009, 16:30 (663 Views)
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I've been approached recently for support by a small group of parishioners who want to start a choir in our church. They say that this will provide better music for Mass than our present arrangement which is a small music group and vocalist leading the congregation in the hymns.

I had thought that church choirs had disappeared from Catholic churches but they say not. I said too that I could not see too much difference between a choir leading the congregation and our present small group doing so , but they insist there is a world of difference.

Has anybody any experience of choirs recently?


John
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Rose of York
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My only recent experience was of a small group of musicians, very good indeed. They were not up front in the sanctuary, the church was modern, semi circular, the musicians were placed unobtrusively at the side. They gave encouragement to the congregation. If there is to be a choir I would prefer them to lead the other people rather than "sing at" them.
Keep the Faith!

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CARLO
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I think I would have an open mind. A 'choir' is just a group of singers. They can sing accompanied or unaccompanied. They can position themselves out of sight or in full view of the congregation. They can lead the congregation, perform or a mixture of both.

I would listen to them sing with the Parish Priest just to check that they are not absolutely dreadful! If they are a diplomatic "I think you need to rehearse a little longer before you play in Church - maybe in a few months time" is probably best. If not, it is all down to taste and good relations with the other 'choirs' or musicians that accompany the liturgy.

Things to beware of are:

* Choirs with agendas to 'take over' (Trad or 'Folk-Mass')
* Choirs who think they are really good when they are really awful
* Choirs who only want to sing pieces that nobody has ever hear of!
* Choirs who promise the earth, might be very good, but are hopeless at actually turning up on a regular basis and will constantly let you down


There are a few more - but I don't want to be Mr 'doom and gloom'. Thank goodness that people are offering their talents and services.

Pax


CARLO
Edited by CARLO, Wednesday, 14. January 2009, 18:48.
Judica me Deus
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Gerard

The music group, whether it calls itself a choir or a band, controlls the music selection.

One would have to ask why they want to displace the current group and what would be "better" about them.

They have an agenda.............

Gerry
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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Rose of York
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John Sweeney
Wednesday, 14. January 2009, 16:30
I've been approached recently for support by a small group of parishioners who want to start a choir in our church. They say that this will provide better music for Mass than our present arrangement which is a small music group and vocalist leading the congregation in the hymns.
Caution, John!

Why are they approaching you for support? Do they anticipate opposition from the parish priest and/or parishioners? Are they not big enough to make their own request to the parish priest?
Keep the Faith!

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PJD


Any form of self esteem would be, ideally, completely under control - for the choir.

Any form of unnecessary admiration other than minimum-visible appreciation would be,ideally, absent - from the congration.

I don't think these two factors are as easy to overcome as might be imagined. But they can be minimised, and I believe it is a natural inclination for that to be so.

Just my reflections from where I am.

PJD
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Deleted User
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Rose and Gerry

You are undoubtedly spot on in your view that there is some parish politics going on here, I have no doubt. They think the present music group is too much under one person's control and while they don't want to sing only traditional hymns they do feel the "controller" picks too many modern ditties, as they put it. So I shall bear your words and those of Carlo very much in mind and tread cautiousl.

Stripping away the politics, I was interested in how people view choirs these days. For myself, to be honest, I am as happy with a Mass with no music as I am with. But I do enjoy a good tune sometimes!

John
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Rose of York
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John Sweeney
Wednesday, 14. January 2009, 21:10
For myself, to be honest, I am as happy with a Mass with no music as I am with.
Oh, what luxury!
Keep the Faith!

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Gerard

He who sings prays twice

:angel:
"The institutional and charismatic aspects are quasi coessential to the Church's constitution" (Pope John Paul II, 1998).
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Mairtin
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Choirs are the norm in Ireland. For some reason, the Irish people who love their music so much, are incredibly loath to join in communal singing at Mass.

Maybe it's because we can't sing about wars and rebellions :rofl:
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CARLO
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O for return of the traditional choir to sing or chant Mass for us whilst we concentrate on prayer.

Maybe one hymn at the end for the congregation - rest of hymns reserved for Benediction and other services.

Leave the congregational hymn singing to the Protestants who do it so much better!

Miserere nobis
Have mercy on us


CARLO

Edited by CARLO, Thursday, 15. January 2009, 00:38.
Judica me Deus
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Rose of York
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CARLO
Thursday, 15. January 2009, 00:38
Leave the congregational hymn singing to the Protestants who do it so much better!

That is because in England most of the Catholics have Irish blood in their veins and most of the protestants are Anglo Saxons.

Mairtin
 
For some reason, the Irish people who love their music so much, are incredibly loath to join in communal singing at Mass.


Try Italy, you may have better luck there.
Keep the Faith!

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OsullivanB

Mairtin
Wednesday, 14. January 2009, 23:50
Choirs are the norm in Ireland. For some reason, the Irish people who love their music so much, are incredibly loath to join in communal singing at Mass.

Maybe it's because we can't sing about wars and rebellions :rofl:

Or because they're mostly sober during Mass?
Edited by OsullivanB, Thursday, 15. January 2009, 01:40.
"There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation." Herbert Spencer
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Rose of York
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Mairtin
Wednesday, 14. January 2009, 23:50
Choirs are the norm in Ireland. For some reason, the Irish people who love their music so much, are incredibly loath to join in communal singing at Mass.

Maybe it's because we can't sing about wars and rebellions :rofl:
Try this one:

HYMN TO ST MICHAEL

Life and strength of all thy servants,
Brightness of the father's light,
Men with angels, earth with heaven,
In thy praise their songs unite.

Thousand, thousand warrior princes
In thy angel army stand;
Flames the victor's cross before them,
Grasped in Michael's dauntless hand.

Hurling back from heaven the rebel
With the lifting of his sword,
In the might of God he tramples
On the dragon's head abhorred.

Lord of angels, Christ, we pray thee,
Bid them aid us in our strife,
Chase afar the hosts of evil
Till we reach the land of light.

God the Father, God immortal,
God the Son for us who died,
God the Comforter, the Spirit,
Evermore be glorified.
Keep the Faith!

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Mairtin
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No good, Rose - there's not a word about the English tyrants in it.
:fire:
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