Posted on 02/01/2010 3:36:39 PM PST by Salvation
I think most of the music performed in church these days is not about bringing glory to God but about the performers having an audience. That’s my beef.
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Exactly. Years ago, I was in a parish for a while, where the priests were very liberal, which is why I found a new one. But, before I left there, I was subjected to the spectacle of the priest actually leading applause, for the lone singer at this particular Mass — during the Mass!
Generally I like music — the more traditional, the better. However, you have to admit that a well-played guitar is better than a poorly played organ. I’ve heard both at church.
But, I don’t like to see/hear the cantor carrying on like a nightclub singer. And I was jarred to see guitars and bongo drums being played as their owners skipped down the aisle singing “I’ll eat your strawberries and drink your sweet wine.” That was at Newman Club at UC Berkeley, so consider the source.
But those who are busy banning music err too. At the time I got married, the beautiful Ave Maria was not allowed to be sung at a wedding ceremony. That stricture seems to have been forgotten these days, and I am glad.
Yes, I have several Music Directors I am thinking of sending it to.
Not me. As a musician, I much prefer the early Mass, with some chant and NO other music. I have sat through too many Protestant services and Catholic Masses that were TORTURE. ‘Banal’ is the word that comes to mind. And I had such an urge to cry out “EVERY measure has to have the same number of beats!”
hahaha. Gripe and moan, first half of the service; repent and ‘pray for those you hate’, second half of the service. It made for a long bit of penance, week after week.
Oregon Catholic Press. When WILL they be run out of town? And why oh why does every parish have to have their books? The stuff was bad in the early 80s or whenever it came out. Now it is OLD and bad.
Keep calling OCP and requesting traditional songs.
I hate most of their music, but they are putting more and more traditional music in the hymnals.
The thing I hate about their music is that it’s “me” centered instead of the traditional Catholic hymns that are “God” centered.
I won’t sing some of them. I just bow my head, fold my hands in front of me and pray prayers of reparation with my eyes closed. (Wish I could shut my ears too......LOL!)
At my regular church, we have a young music director. Surprisingly, he is a very able classical organist. His playing is superb. I prefer him over the musical director that he replaced, who tended to veer off into guitars, drums and trombones whenever the fancy struck him...
Giggle. You reminded me of William F. Buckley's thoughts on the "new Mass":
...Meanwhile, I am practicing Yoga, so that, at church on Sundays, I can develop the power to tune out everything I hear, while attempting, athwart the general calisthenics, to commune with my Maker, and ask Him first to forgive me my own sins, and implore him, second, not to forgive the people who ruined the Mass.
PS: The St Louis Catholic hedges when attributing this to WFB, Jr., but I remember the quote reprinted in NR several years ago. It is from Mr. Buckley.
The deceased had eclectic tastes. So do I, but my survivors can acknowledge them at the memorial bash, rather than at the funeral.
I should have said “what some would consider old and stodgy”. The hymn writers I listed are no later than late 19th century. Rock, new age folky (especially that Marty Whathisname who has that newagey stuff in Catholic hymnals), pop, etc, has no place in a worship service. JS Bach, or Gregorian chants (especially during Vespers) is fitting. It was nice to see that Bill Buckley insisted on Bach for his funeral.
Handel’s music was originally considered “too modern” for church services. I admit I do not like most of the music played at our church, but I find it hard to completely reject sacred music simply because it was played on a piano or a guitar.
I live right outside of New Orleans, so the past few weeks, we have been “treated” to the rousing spritual, “when the Saints Go Marching In” at Mass. I know, technically, it is a spiritual, but it is also the cheer song for the New Orleans Saints, and the people in Church really get into it by clapping their hands and wriggling to the beat. IMO, it belongs in a Baptist gospel Church rather than a Roman Catholic Church. But I’m sure some will disagree, especially New Orleans Saints fans.
MARTY HAUTGEN! The first runner up in the awful music category after Marty is a Bernadette something.
I always turn to the hymns while we are hearing the announcements before mass. My first rule is that if it is dated 1975 or later, I am positive it is going to require singing through clenched teeth.
I think our pastor likes Marty because we seem to have Marty in frequent rotation. I think those hymns came out when Monsignor was in seminary, and he has a fondness for them that they do not deserve.
Our music director can play beautiful classical pieces on the organ. Yet week after week we get Marty Hautgen with piano accompaniment. It’s very distressing.
I love our priest, who is very orthodox and gives intelligent homilies with historical background. We currently have 9 seminarians, and we are going to have an group of Franciscan, habited sisters move into the old convent this summer, and Monsignor took the initiative in getting that started. We have a Chapel of Perpetual Adoration that is manned 24/7. We have a school which is teaching kids the faith along with their studies.
So, I keep my mouth shut about the music. I figure it is one of those suffering things I have to endure, and am grateful for all of the good things we have at our church.
Besides, when I was a Methodist we had a minister who was an excellent musician, and who promoted the use of all of the great hymns. The only problem was that he also believed Jesus had girlfriends.
Bernadette Farrell. Other contenders for the honour iclude luminaries as David Haas, Michael Joncas, Donna Pena, and the egregious Carey Landry.
May I recommend the Adoremus Hymnal and the St Michael Hymnal as antidotes?
Could be worse. I met a couple of folks, once, who insisted Jesus had at least one BOYfriend.
music is cultural...here in the Philippines, we sing “easy listening” style songs in Tagalog.
Personally, I hate Gregorian chant.
The problem with modern mass music is that it’s bad music, not that it is modern.
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