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Views from the Choir Loft

First, the Priests

Andrew R. Motyka · August 21, 2013

HEN WRITING THIS POST, the first thing that came to mind was, “I need expound on the idea of singing the orations at Mass as a springboard to the singing congregation,” as I mentioned in one of my first posts here. I then realized that in that post, I never mentioned singing the orations at all. How neglectful of me!

The starting point for all music in liturgy must be in the prayers of the Mass itself. Musicam Sacram mentions these sung prayers in the first degree of importance when singing the Mass:

29. The following belong to the first degree:

(a) In the entrance rites: the greeting of the priest together with the reply of the people; the prayer.

(b) In the Liturgy of the Word: the acclamations at the Gospel.

(c) In the Eucharistic Liturgy: the prayer over the offerings; the preface with its dialogue and the Sanctus; the final doxology of the Canon, the Lord’s prayer with its introduction and embolism; the Pax Domini; the prayer after the Communion; the formulas of dismissal.

Furthermore, it is my experience that when the priest begins the Mass, singing the sign of the cross and greeting with its response for the congregation, he sets the tone for the entire Mass, in both music and solemnity. These orations and responses are simple but effective ways to enhance liturgical reverence. They are so simple that they belie the perennial excuse of “I can’t sing.”

Like almost all things liturgical, the priest, specifically the pastor, must be on board before progress in music can be sustained, if it can be made at all. I have noticed that many music directors can improve the quality of liturgical music in their parishes, but without the support of the pastor, such endeavors have a definite ceiling and can be easily reversed. Therefore, good musical formation of the priests in our dioceses is critical.

I am blessed to be in an Archdiocese where most of the priests have been formed, one way or another, by Saint Meinrad Archabbey. The musical heritage of that abbey (Benedictines. Surprised, anyone?) has been a blessing to the Archdiocese for years. Furthermore, this year we will be beginning an Archdiocesan “Seminarian Schola” to sing for special Masses. It is my hope that the exposure to the heritage of Catholic liturgical music will be a boon to their liturgical formation.

In order for the musical improvement of the liturgy to get off the ground, we need the cooperation of pastors. Singing the prayers of the Mass is a simple way to get started in the right direction, and will give the rest of the parish a launching point from which to solemnize their prayer.

As always, please support and pray for our priests and seminarians.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    Tempo?? • 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘞𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘺 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦
    Once, after Mass, my pastor said he really loved the hymn we did. I said: “Father, that's Holy God, We Praise Thy Name—you never heard it before?” He replied: “But the way you did it was terrific. For once, it didn't sound like a funeral dirge!” Last Sunday, our volunteer choir sang that hymn. I think the tempo was just about right … but what do you think?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Don’t You Agree About These?
    If you want to make Jeff Ostrowski really happy, send him an email with effusive praise about the individual voice recordings for hymn #296. [Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass] They came out dazzlingly sensational, don't you agree?
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    Here's a live recording of one of the choral “warm-up” exercises my choir enjoys. It was taken during our rehearsal on 27 January 2023. It’s good to make sure each chord is perfectly in tune and balanced before moving to the next one. That only happens when each singer has the correct vowel. If you like, you can freely download that vocal exercise.
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Random Quote

“For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders”—is that English idiom? “For the Nazis, and all the Germans, except they say Heil Hitler! meet not in the street, holding their lives valuable”—is that English idiom?

— Monsignor Ronald Knox

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