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Views from the Choir Loft

Minimal Standards at Weddings and Funerals

Richard J. Clark · February 12, 2016

NEVER THOUGHT I would be advocating for minimal standards. It’s a sad moment. The highest standards should always be our aspiration and goal. God deserves our best. The people deserve better and are being served poorly on many fronts.

I cannot blame a wedding couple or a grieving family for being incredulous that I cannot include a pop song or Broadway melody. Why? Because their experience in the Roman Catholic Church tells them otherwise.

“But I’ve been to many weddings that had this song…” Or, “Father said it was ok…” etc., etc. We all have experience with such unfortunate stories and there is no need to rehash them.

But the appalling story is that the couple or the family has been victimized by horrifically low standards. They have lived a lifetime of exposure to mediocrity, ignorance, and defiance. Worse, they are done a great disservice because it is easier to capitulate than to educate. Catechesis takes great effort because it must be done with charity, love, and with finesse—especially for weddings and funerals which are so deeply personal experiences. Many of us have been on both sides of this experience and must be mindful of perspective.

That sacred music is a minimal standard for all liturgies would be an upgrade for a great many weddings and funerals. This is scandalous. That we find this impossible, that we fear doing so is equally scandalous.

I fear the spirit of another generation will atrophy in the blight of mediocrity. I won’t let that happen on my watch, and I know many of you won’t either. We are called to serve one another and God. We are called to implement the highest of standards with the resources at our disposal. Moreover, we are called to catechize though our actions, catechize by the way we live our lives, and catechize through sacred music.

I WORK IN A PARISH. This is a live recording of the Fauré Requiem with chamber orchestra by the choir of St. Cecilia Parish in Boston, a group of wonderful people that I am privileged to direct every week. They are almost entirely volunteer and mostly young people.

There are far better recordings of the Fauré Requiem by extraordinary conductors, choirs, and soloists. But I share with you here what can be accomplished in a parish (and there’s much more work to do!) Furthermore, this is a recording of people of faith who believe the words they sing. More important than any grandeur of the orchestra and organ is the simple reverence with which they sing. I hope this offering is a prayerful experience.

Soli Deo gloria.

Requiem in D minor, Op. 48 Gabriel Fauré
St. Cecilia Choir & Chamber Orchestra | Richard J. Clark, Director
Allesandra Cionco, soprano
Marc DeMille, baritone
Timothy E. Smith Organ
Tara Novak, violin

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.
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    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.”
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Random Quote

And since it is becoming that holy things be administered in a holy manner, and of all things this sacrifice is the most holy, the Catholic Church, to the end that it might be worthily and reverently offered and received, instituted many centuries ago the holy canon, which is so free from error that it contains nothing that does not in the highest degree savor of a certain holiness and piety and raise up to God the minds of those who offer.

— Council of Trent (1562)

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