From the Times of India
As one involved in church choirs here and elsewhere for the last forty years, I must say I too believed we were spreading “the spirit of Vatican II” when we introduced catchy innovations during Mass.
I was told “the people’s participation” was all-important. We choir types were pleased when members of the congregation came up after Mass and said, “Oh, we really enjoyed it!” as though it were a show. We concentrated on four hymns, thinking that was our bit. No one ever told us in 1970 to sing the Mass, to aim at inner participation, helping people enter more fully into the meaning of each liturgical action.
In the last few years, especially at weddings and funerals, I have often heard choirs do devotional and profane music at various parts of the ceremony, even interrupting the liturgy with so-and-so’s favourite song.
Almost invariably, some schmaltzy number replaces the precious Psalm chosen from the hymnal Jesus himself used. Then again, there is a habit of singing prayerful words to plagiarised pop tunes. When a choir of seminarians erupted into an Alleluia to the tune of ‘Oo Oo Ah Ah Sexy Eyes’, I was surprised the congregation remained solemn. Alas, we have stuffed our ears with cotton wool. Now is the favourable time to change all that.
Starting this Advent season, we have a year to settle choral scores.
Don't disagree. The power of the Roman Rite is found in the sung Ordinary and propers, whether in Latin or in the vernacular. Unfortunately I think many priests avoiding chanting the Mass because they believe you have to be a Caruso to do it.
How can you best recommend one learn how to chant the Mass and sing the psalms?