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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

My Response To “Should Church Singers Be Paid?”

Jeff Ostrowski · August 4, 2015

439 paid singers stained glass ACK IN APRIL, I promised to write about the subject of paying singers at Church. At that time, I carefully avoided revealing my thoughts on the matter. Nevertheless, I received an avalanche of emails, with a few attacking me personally. Some were angry I had condemned paid singers, while others criticized me supporting paid singers. In fact, I made neither statement.

A great theologian has written:

There’s nothing wrong with paying singers at Mass. It is simply a recognition of the fact that a professional singer (or section leader) has a special role to play in the total event of a MISSA CANTATA, which deserves a special acknowledgement according to the Gospel: Dignus est operarius mercede sua (I Tim 5: 18).

I agree, but there’s more to the story…

EACH CHOIRMASTER MUST decide for himself the best course of action. During my career, I’ve worked with paid singers and volunteers. Everyone knows the challenges that can arise with volunteers, but did you know paid singers can also bring problems? In my experience, when singers are paid, it can (sometimes) be difficult to ascertain if they’re attending Mass for the right reasons. Moreover, feelings of jealousy can grow in the other singers’ hearts. 1

Some will think me a fool, but I prefer not to rely on paid section leaders. My preference is to find parishioners who already attend Mass for the right reasons, training them. If I had paid section leaders, the non-paid singers might feel “extra,” whereas the paid singers are all that’s necessary. Our current arrangement causes me sleepless nights filled with worry—it’s true—but in my humble opinion the singers appreciate being needed. 2

If I were to employ paid singers again—and I reserve the right to change my mind!—I would do so through an established program. I would avoid making statements like one I’ll never forget, directed at a section leader whose attendance was poor: “Remember, if you don’t show up on Holy Thursday, you won’t get your $40.00.” It would be understood that section leaders receive a stipend provided in a subtle, equitable, and dignified manner. 3

When the lights break in the church, we pay an electrician. Priests, of course, are always paid (salary, health insurance, living expenses, cost of transportation, and so on). Organists, too, are generally paid, which I think is appropriate. Yet, in all my years serving as an Altar Boy—acolyte, thurifer, torchbearer, and master of ceremonies—I only remember getting paid once: for a funeral. I suppose much depends on local custom.



NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

1   With regard to paying the choirmaster, I have no issue with this, but I also worked for years as a volunteer choirmaster & organist. Justice would seem to demand compensation in this case, since preparing for Sunday can easily require 40+ hours of hard work each week.

2   I recall sharing my views while serving on a discussion panel in front of an audience. One of my colleagues muttered something like, “It’s a pity you don’t hold your choir to the highest standards.” However, one can still have high standards while following the program I’ve outlined, where volunteer singers are found in one’s parish. Furthermore, if there’s excess money, it could be spent on other things that would improve the sacred music, such as hiring a music teacher for children in the parish. In short, I disagree with that panelist’s statement.

3   I once worked at a large parish where the administration constantly forgot to pay me. Twice or thrice each month I was forced to beg the secretary for my paycheck; it was truly humiliating. But these same folks somehow consistently remembered to pay the electric bill.

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 Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

[Speaking of those who wish to eliminate Latin from the liturgy.] “One may well wonder what the origin is of this new way of thinking and this sudden dislike for the past; one may well wonder why these things have been fostered.”

— Pope Saint Paul VI (15 August 1966)

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