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“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

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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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    This coming Sunday—13 July 2025—is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). All the chants have been conveniently assembled and posted at the feasts website. The OFFERTORY, Ad Te Levávi, is particularly beautiful.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
    Our readers will be interested in this job offering for Music Director at Saint Adalbert’s Basilica, located 40 minutes from where I live. My pastor was recently elevated to this basilica. He is offering $80,000 per year, plus benefits. I’m told Saint Adalbert’s Basilica is utterly gorgeous and contains one of America’s most magnificent pipe organs. It would be fantastic to have a colleague nearby!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    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

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

In the United States, Archbishop Kenrick had said in his “Moral Theology” that it was acceptable to sing the “Véni Sáncte Spíritus” before the sermon.

— Monsignor Schmitt (1977)

Recent Posts

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  • The Tallis Scholars
  • Music Director Job • $80,000 per year
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