I wondered about that. The climate has changed since Pope Benedict retired. I am no longer fighting the "Propers" wars. I use them where and when I can, and don't worry about the rest, since I think Propers are often the least of our worries.

We get those "wandering" musician workshop providers and facilitators, some sponsored by local churches or the diocese. The publishers are behind some others. I don't even post their notices and flyers any more, and don't attend any of their workshops.

Charles

The energy for the Propers wars seemed to be misplaced. It would have been better for that energy to have prioritized (1) presidential chant and singing of the Ordo, and (2) more particularly, better settings of the Ordinary for the congregation to join in. On point (1), the traditionally minded faced the same practical obstacle that reformists (at least in the US and much of the English-speaking world informed by Irish Low Mass praxis) did: getting celebrants to sing (whether vernacular to Latin) is a tricky business. I suspect the reason point Propers took priority over (2) is the practical reality is that church musicians - just like congregations - tend to mentally and emotionally prioritize that which changes every week over that which is perceived to be wallpaper. But, and this is my point (and I do have one), the Ordo/Ordinary is not the filler, it's the liturgical meat (the four hymn sandwich metaphor originated as a way to convey that idea by satirical reversal - the treatment of the four hymns as the substance of the Mass sandwich, when they are in fact the least substantial thing of the Mass), and should be the musical priority.

Thus, the Propers war was in a way a continuity with the triaging that occurred in practice after the reforms: people engaged in a skewed prioritization.

I'm so disappointed. The thread title suggested Jeffrey could've gone back to playing trombone in some Alabama parish praise band; he likes the modern NO, Mikey, he likes it!

Well, you see, there's an unwritten but still powerful Prime Directive of The Mass: Thou Shalt Not Make It Longer Than Is Required for Validity and Liceity....

1 hour? I remember former landlord complaining about Sunday Mass at the church around the block being that long. He loudly preferred the 30 minute Mass at a much larger church 2 miles away.

I believe that THE most important thing is the praise, worship and adoration of GOD through your ministry within the church. I leave the engagement and motivation to active participation of the congregation and others, to the intervention of the Holy Spirit who is far more able than myself.

Seek GOD and His kingdom first and all else will be added unto you.

It seems that there are some things in Catholic Musical Parish life that are now firmly entrenched, and are being accepted as normal practice:
1. Repertoire is from GIA, OCP with an occasional chant.
2. The norm is a 'ensemble' piano, with guitars, flute, electric bass, whatever have you (just bring your instrument and play)
3. Organ is not the norm, if used, a poor instrument or played badly.
4. Popular 'sacro-pop' style is the norm.
5. Music is 'led' by a volunteer, or part time person.

In my diocese, these are far and away, the norm.

ghmus7 -

I think that your new paradigm can be couched in a larger manner by the example of the Casey beatification in the Detroit archdiocese, both in repertoire and practice ( but not so much in Nashville.) Were superior "traditional" choral pieces and ordinaries, as well as contemporary songs used (Yes, Virginia, they do exist,) the coordinated use or organ/orchestra/ensemble and choir could be quite effective. The problem is and always has been since V2 that this "top-down" exemplar fails because of rank incompetence at most parishes.