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Views from the Choir Loft

Those Pesky Letters of Complaint

Richard J. Clark · July 8, 2016

E ALL GET them. Every single one of us. No one is immune. Really.

We might receive ten notes of praise for every one letter of complaint, but the latter is what we obsess about. We brood. It’s human nature, and perhaps even vanity to do so.

For the most part, it is best to never get too low from complaints, not even too high from praise. Neither may be fully representative of the general likes or dislikes of a congregation. But that’s not what matters. Here’s what does:

1 • Spiritually • Is the music at the service of worship?
2 • Pragmatically • What is the opinion of the pastor, finance council, choir, most parishioners, etc.?

NE MAY TAKE COMFORT in the following: no matter who you are, or what the reputation of your music program is, you will be criticized, most likely with some regularity. As surely as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, someone will be unhappy. Your name may be James Levine and you will be the target of vehement anger. Displeasure does not discriminate.

Here’s the good news: someone’s unhappiness is rarely, if ever, a reflection on you or your hard work. Nor is the personal pleasure of the faithful your responsibility within the liturgy. (To try is impossible and foolishness.)

But neither does an individual’s displeasure render them a bad or unwise person. They might be right. They may raise a fair point or two.

SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING: Separate the criticism from the way it was delivered. If the communication was charitable, there may be an opening for dialogue and both can learn from the encounter. This is a wonderful development that may broaden one’s personal connection to a member of the congregation. It may be an opportunity for catechesis.

If it was not delivered in a charitable fashion, do not respond in any way except kindly. After that, separate the criticism from how it was delivered and evaluate it. Can I learn something from it—even if delivered in a hurtful fashion? Sometimes the answer is yes—even if only in part. Make one’s own decision considering the betterment of your service to God and the faithful. Furthermore, it may even be wise to keep an open channel with the pastor about the criticism and your response. Responding kindly to uncharitable criticism reveals character and professionalism.

Openness to criticism takes an act of humility. Such openness is not a display of weakness. Self-evaluation and self-correction require great strength.

ACRED MUSIC IS AT THE SERVICE of worship, and not a slave to individual preferences including our own.

Instead, our responsibility is clearly outlined by the Second Vatican Council: the purpose of sacred music is to glorify God and sanctify the faithful. (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, §112) In short, we are responsible for helping others pray the words of the Mass.

Do this and we will find ultimate happiness and freedom with God.

Soli Deo Gloria

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

14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski
Sound Familiar?

1 June 1579: “The chapter passes a rule that anyone ascending to the new organ without official permission shall be fined a month’s pay.”

26 October 1579: “The altar boys remain always separate and distinct from choirboys—the one group learning only plainchant and assisting at the altar, the other living with the chapel-master and studying counterpoint and polyphony as well. Father Francisco Guerrero postpones his departure for Rome and instead spends the entire year in Seville making ready for the trip. In the meantime he neglects his choirboys. On 16 November, after considerable complaint against their unruliness and ignorance, he engages an assistant, Bartolomé Farfán.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

When the matter is thus regarded, an assertion which is being made today, not only by laymen but also at times by certain theologians and priests and spread about by them, ought to be rejected as an erroneous opinion: namely, that the offering of one Mass, at which a hundred priests assist with religious devotion, is the same as a hundred Masses celebrated by a hundred priests. That is not true.

— Pope Pius XII (2 November 1954)

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