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Views from the Choir Loft

Why We Do What We Do

Richard J. Clark · December 27, 2013

RJC_913_St_John_Apostle_Evangelist St. John the Evangelist, Francesco Furini HAVE PRECIOUS FEW ORIGINAL IDEAS. Today is no exception, drawing in part from a friend’s note and from Andrew Motyka’s post It’s What We Do.

As we wind down from Christmas Eve and Day (only to wind back up again for the glorious Christmas Season) church musicians might ask themselves, why in the world do we do this? What effect do we have on anyone, especially those who only go to mass two or three times per year?

I assure you, plenty. On this Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist, it is good to reflect upon our calling as ministers of sacred music. As Andrew Motyka states, what we do is “an act of mercy, and as such, my duty as a Christian.”

Beyond making music that is pleasing to the ears, music ministers are called to serve our communities by fostering prayer. In service of the liturgy, sacred music is not simply for ephemeral pleasure (although one hopes it is pleasing!), but more importantly for transformative healing and growth that is enduring. This holds true individually and for the community. This is our hope. This is our call.

I often remind my choirs that they will affect people spiritually in ways that they will never know. While we are fulfilling our duty and our calling, we can assume very little about those around us, even those we think we know pretty well (or those we have judged.) Take time to listen to those around you, and you will be astounded to learn the crosses they may be carrying.

UST AS I HAD BEGUN WRITING this, I received in rather surreal fashion a note from my recording engineer, Evan, that stopped me in my tracks. The subject of his email read: “Why we do what we do.” (Was he reading my mind?) Regarding a collaboration with The Copley Singers and the St. Cecilia Choir in the wake of the tragic Boston Marathon bombing, Evan wrote:

“…my best friend Michael is a seminarian in the Archdiocese of Hartford, and was just ordained a deacon this month. He was assigned to a parish in Litchfield county over the summer, and became close friends with a priest there, who was suffering from leukemia. Michael told me last night that he played for this priest his copy of the Darkness to Light recording we made this spring. The priest would listen to this heavenly music over and over, crying while listening to it. He was brought great comfort through the ministry of this music. He passed away earlier this fall…

“… beyond the funds that were raised for the Boston bombing victims…It brings me great joy to know that a project I took part in has affected the life of another person, especially that of a dying man…”

This is one story we learned about many months after the fact. How about the countless stories we never hear? Sometimes we learn of one story only to remind us this is why we do what we do.

O WHEN WE ENTER THE DOORS of our churches, one never knows what pain, suffering, grief or burdens those among us carry. This is the beauty and the gift of community. When we are unable to pray—when we are distracted, or burdened, or overcome with grief—the community carries us along; the community buoys our spirit and sustains us; the community prays on our behalf. Our voices raised in prayer each week can provide comfort and solace to our brothers and sisters in need. Our very presence at liturgy, along with our spoken and sung prayer, have untold effects on others and can act as a lifeline in ways which we will never know.

“A cry from deep within our being, music is a way for God to lead us to the realm of higher things.” — St. Augustine, Epistoia 166, De origine animae hominis

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The choir shall henceforth sing or say no anthems of our Lady or other Saints, but only of our Lord, and then not in Latin; but choosing out the best and most sounding to Christian religion they shall turn the same into English, setting thereunto a plain and distinct note for every syllable one: they shall sing them and none other.”

— 1548 Edict of King Edward VI (a heretic) for Lincoln Cathedral

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