In the EF use of the organ during Lent is forbidden during the Mass. However, before or after the Mass, organ/instrumental works are allowed, (in keeping with the spirit of the season, of course).

IMHO, the less, the better, or at least one could diminish that use as one approaches Holy Week.

Matthew, Dad,

OP asked about unaccompanied vocal music.

I think, Expeditus, that it would depend on what the unaccompanied music was, and whether it was used as prelude or as processional.

I understood the question. Of course it is permissible. I've done it. I wouldn't do it today.

Replacing an organ prelude with something else just doesn't work with me. Silence can make us uncomfortable. Advent and Lent silence before Mass is now a must-have for me. Except when I see them drag out the rose vestments. Then they get something kinda loud.

Matthew, Dad,....
Chris, I had no idea you are MJM's progeny. That explains so much! But until the BIG ONE hits CA on the San Andreas, don't migrate to the desert, we need you here!:-)

Matthewj, did you come to your decision over a period of time, or was there a specific experience/reading that more abruptly influenced you? After reading your post, I am more inclined to forgo the idea of any prelude chants.

In the course of trying to find an answer to my original question, I had come across one source (that I am now unable to locate), which stated that in Poland, no music was heard in churches for the duration of Lent. I am assuming that this was pre-1962? Is anyone familiar with this?

I don't think there will be a legalistic answer to this question...

I would say you have to assess the situation at your particular parish. There is a real difference between a prayerful, pregnant silence, and a merely awkward silence full of shuffling, coughing, whispering, as people come in to the church. This can change even between different masses - even outside of Advent and Lent I often wonder if I should play a prelude in the still, dark, silent church before our early Sunday Mass. The other Masses are a lot more...active beforehand, and a prelude seems really necessary.

At any rate, the point of a vocal or instrumental prelude should be to enhance the prayerful atmosphere and general sense of sacredness of the space before Mass. If that is what is happening in your case, I say, go for it regardless of season (keeping the repertoire appropriate, of course). If you are disrupting prayerful silence, maybe it's not a great idea.

I play appropriate Lenten pieces on the organ during "Pink Sunday," but not for the rest of the season. Now if someone could convince the guitarists in the other parishes in town that no instrumentals except...means guitars, too. Just last week a fairly well-respected musician in this city asked where the instrumental ban came from. She said no one else follows it and where did I get the idea we should not play instrumentals during Lent.

I don't follow EF legislation, only the OF GIRM. I have enough headaches near Easter without worrying about what the EF crowd is doing. The OF folks do a great job of driving me crazy by themselves and without outside help.

Let's just say it doesn't help matters any. I am a Byzantine in the den of lions, sometimes. Other times, not so much.

BTW, you do know the difference between musicians working in a Protestant and a Catholic church, right?

The Protestant church pays a just wage. LOL.