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Views from the Choir Loft

The Role of Catholic Church Choir

Andrew Leung · January 12, 2017

CTL Role of Church Choir ECENTLY, I have heard and read from different people and different places that “the primary function of church choirs is to lead the congregation in singing.” I am sure many of you have heard similar things, and have even read that in Church documents.

What is your opinion on this? I think this is a bad concept. Leading the congregation is only part of what choirs do. It is not a wrong concept, but it is bad because it might lead to confusion. Don’t get me wrong, the congregation should be allowed and encouraged to participate in singing, but that is not the primary role of the choir. On the other hand, singing complex and difficult pieces to help people meditate is also not the primary function of the choir. I have seen choir members who got so anxious and frustrated because they worried that their performance might not be able to please the faithful. Both of the above cases are bad because “the people” became the focus.

The primary role of the choir is to pray the Mass. Traditionally, choirs and scholae have always been clerical groups. The choir sings the Mass just as the priest celebrates the Mass. Sacred Music is part of the liturgy and the role of the choir is to pray them through singing. Leading others to pray is the secondary role and it only happens when the choir members themselves are praying. God should be the center of the liturgy. Whether people can sing along and whether people enjoy our singing should not be our main concern. The ultimate goal of a choir is to praise and glory God by singing and praying well.

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 Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For General Use Until Advent”
    If you conduct a volunteer choir, you might consider using this Simple Piece #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) which can be used during the rest of the liturgical season until Advent. It's based on the well known hymn tune: OLD HUNDREDTH. Rehearsal videos are available at #40691. A live recording of #40273 (“Adésto Sáncta Trínitas”) by a volunteer choir is here (#40065).
    —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

No concession should ever be made for the singing of the Exsultet, in whole or in part, in the vernacular.

— ‘Fr. Augustin Bea, S.J. in the years immediately before the Second Vatican Council’

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