Good luck to you, and God bless you.

Prayers and best wishes, both for your choice with the current position and your start with nursing school. My lead cantor (EF) is a nurse (she is an alto)... so resigning your position shouldn't necessarily mean the end of your involvement in liturgical music... perhaps simply more of a hiatus.

Should you resign, make sure to do so in a way that doesn't burn any bridges. That doesn't mean that you don't have to share some of your frustrations or concerns (although you don't have to if you think it would be more confrontational than productive), but certainly provide enough notice that they can find a replacement.

Above all, keep in touch! If nothing else, solicit prayers from time to time!

I would suggest that it would probably be better for you to leave your organist position before the beginning of the academic year, regardless of how good your church job is. Nursing school is not easy (I know several nurses, active and retired, at my parish), and, especially since your church position is becoming more stressful than gratifying, it would probably be better not to have that extra pressure at the weekends right now. I certainly agree that you should give notice in a way that won't burn bridges, and, verily, you have such a reason: You are leaving to go to nursing school. Prayers and best wishes for you!

YCG,

You could assert (quite honestly) that you don't think you'll be able to divide your attention well between nursing school and the demands of learning new music. That way, although the new music is definitely a part of why you're resigning, you're avoiding this sentence: "If you want me to play trash, ....."

I once had a pastor come in who had very different liturgical ideals than I did. Within 2 weeks (novus ordo parish, mind you) using the communion rail wasn't even an option (previous pastor had a new rail installed and reinstituted its use!); I had been asked to stop singing entrance antiphons (only Bartlett's simple English for heaven's sake), cut back on communion antiphons, and there were lay ministers sitting in the sanctuary with the priest during mass (where the servers would ordinarily sit; some of these people didn't even have a liturgical function whatsoever... sacristans, lectors, the lady who watered the flowers... you name it... everyone was in the sanctuary!). Long story short, it became perfectly evident that a.) I wouldn't win and b.) there was no reconciling our—to be perfectly frank—irreconcilable views on the liturgy. I can tell you that as scary as it is to leave a job, your soul will definitely feel more at peace when you can retreat to somewhere that actually respects the liturgy.

While I was still toughing it out, I would sit on the organ bench literally screaming on the inside. There were masses that I was so upset I didn't even go up for communion because I thought it would be sinful for me to receive our Lord in such a state... If you are experiencing these symptoms, perhaps it's better for your soul if nothing else.

Correct. For those not familiar with US legal culture on at will employment - understand that this is not deep legal analysis:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/At-will_employment

Let's face facts: the new liturgy actually creates clericalism, because its insistence on options puts EVERYTHING under the control of the celebrant.

Let's face facts: the new liturgy actually creates clericalism, because it's insistence on options puts EVERYTHING under the control of the celebrant.

Alas, this is what most people think, but this is not what the documents say:

GIRM 111. There should be harmony and diligence among all those involved in the effective preparation of each liturgical celebration in accordance with the Missal and other liturgical books, both as regards the rites and as regards the pastoral and musical aspects. This should take place under the direction of the rector of the church and after consultation with the faithful in things that directly pertain to them. However, the Priest who presides at the celebration always retains the right of arranging those things that pertain to him.

The underlined section is new to the 2011 edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal and is supported by the following, especially the part in bold.

GIRM 352. The pastoral effectiveness of a celebration will be greatly increased if the texts of the readings, the prayers, and the liturgical chants correspond as aptly as possible to the needs, the preparation, and the culture of the participants. This will be achieved by appropriate use of the many possibilities of choice described below.

Hence in arranging the celebration of Mass, the Priest should be attentive rather to the common spiritual good of the People of God than to his own inclinations. He should also remember that choices of this kind are to be made in harmony with those who exercise some part in the celebration, including the faithful, as regards the parts that more directly pertain to them.

Since, indeed, many possibilities are provided for choosing the different parts of the Mass, it is necessary for the Deacon, the readers, the psalmist, the cantor, the commentator, and the choir to know properly before the celebration the texts that concern each and that are to be used, and it is necessary that nothing be in any sense improvised. For harmonious ordering and carrying out of the rites will greatly help in disposing the faithful for participation in the Eucharist.

Well, if your definition of “common good” has more to do with the temperature of the thermostat than the state of peoples souls… It’s hardly surprising that this directive is abused.

Dr. Ford,

That part's not in purple.... so, are you serious?

However, the Priest who presides at the celebration always retains the right of arranging those things that pertain to him.

"...always retains the right..."

hogwash... that may be 'the law', but (IMHO) it is definitely errant in terms of tradition and out of respect for the rite, should never have come to this... THIS is why abuse is rampant.

I submitted my resignation yesterday and it was accepted. I've been asked if I can still play at Christmas and other feasts, and I said I can if I don't have to learn a new Mass setting.

the employment situation in many churches was very precarious and too unstable for people with families who were not independently wealthy

I have left full-time church employment due to this very reason, jcr. I had a glorious job in a stunning ROTR OF parish, we got a new pastor, and it quickly became a not-so-glorious job. I realized that this could happen anytime and anywhere and started planning my exit strategy. I won't risk my family's well-being. I'm still playing and conducting part-time for now, but who knows what the future will bring.

Thank you so much. I and my family are so happy and at peace with the decision. I'm very thankful for this "church musicians' sanity maintenance" forum!

Unfortunately, there are a lot of towns that get dust shaken in their faces these days...

@tomjaw yea, my legs hurt from shaking the dust too many times...

StimsonInRehab... are you out of rehab yet? I am a cowboy... one of the few left... Jackson, Wyoming. 'Where seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day'.

are you out of rehab yet?

Funny you mention that. I've resolved as a result of this Ignatian Retreat that (among other things) I'm swearing off alcohol as penance until my family converts to the Faith.
- Prayers are appreciated on that front!

I wouldn't work for another church no matter how great it is, how wonderful, how awesome the pastor and people are or even if I was offered an iron clad multi-decade contract and a hugely generous salary.

I teach privately now, play in several orchestras, compose, work on establishing my tiny monastic community dedicated to sacred music and the arts, and all the knowledge I have gained from studying with some of the greatest choirmasters on training boys and girls, I now write down in an ongoing book that is still unfinished; this all keeps me busy and happy.

I still have 3 or 4 nightmares every month from my past church music episodes where I worked harder than you could imagine, gave everything of myself, and was even awarded and lauded, but soon thereafter was turned on several times by clergy that were either emotionally, mentally, morally and spiritually unhealthy or shocking corrupt and unstable. I am still in counseling.

At my last position in San Antonio, I gave the choirs a finale blessing at the end of each mass, turned the organ off and walked away silently and told only one trusted choir member so that he could relay what had happened and how I was not allowed to attend my mother's funeral but had to play a mass. I was soon thereafter let go on the grounds I was unhappy - I wonder why? I heard afterward too that others didn't fare well either due to a continuation of horrific lies.

My 9 choirs, adults, schola and all those wonderful kids all loved me, I heard, and I them. I am happy that what I helped to "build" and create in their hearts, minds and souls will be eternal and what the pastor built there will eventually crumble to dust.

So, youngcatholicgirl, I understand and say, work at forgiving even though its a challenge. GOD blessing you and bring you peace.

I am reaching the age where I will retire sooner than later. I'm in a pretty good situation but my parish has its dysfunctional and obnoxious people, not so many, but enough that a more sensitive soul would be affected by them. Fortunately, I am not that sensitive and tend to be tougher than any adversaries I have met. You have to be that way if you are going to work as closely with people as does a church musician. I suspect I will never need counseling. They may after I leave, but that's their problem.

Although I have always loved the church and its music, I have always recognized the political and personal precariousness of it as a career or as part of a career.

I can testify to this, in my only 4-years-long student career.

One summer I was the interim organist at a parish an hour away. I was hired by the previous pastor, who was removed by the bishop for attempting to reform the parish liturgy (no exaggeration: the parish secretary told me so). Once the new pastor arrived, things took a turn for the worse.

Highlights: unvested altar servers became the norm, the incense was removed, and the homily became a lame comedy show.

Although I was paid well, 1) the liturgical hi-jinx of the new pastor made each Sunday unbearable, and 2) his musical vision and mine did not align. I got an email from the secretary saying something like, "Father wants to pick songs people already know."

My last weekend, having been away the week before, I learned he blew a hole in the parish budget by buying a new hymnal, when the parish had just acquired 400-some copies of the Saint Michael Hymnal. That was when I put my foot down before heading my way.

As for the Saint Michael Hymnal, I was able to rescue them and get them into another parish.

As for the bishop...he made national headlines in recent weeks and I'll leave it at that.

I think it only proves God's abundant grace that in the bare-decade since my conversion I've had more than sufficient weird and unpleasant situations, but I still keep persevering in faith and love God more than ever. But I keep myself uninvolved in parish stuff from now on, God willing. I just can't do intrigue and drama. Not interested. Unwilling to compromise. Don't even want to know.

What's a little schism among friends?

I've been in some unpleasant situations before. I just moved on to the next part. Persecution will always come in some form or another for doing things right, so I'm not overly disappointed.

LOL LOL LOL You guys made my day! Yes, small "c" as in church and a personal parish. And for thought, "others" have changed so many things within the Church, one wonders just whom left whom. Yes, "they" have taken property, wealth, etc., I am just suggesting there are always options and that some of these option might be heaven sent - God is always with those that love Him and provides ways out of the "den of lions." I have seen and known some few clergy that were wonderful and they went through a living hell with other fellow clergy and policies. But they were victorious in their ways. We, on the other hand, must sometimes seek other situations out of the box and that might even mean rebuilding in very unusual and creative ways. I am hopeful with some groups like the Anglican Use Ordinariate.

StimsonInRehab - I must admit that I miss and day dream about teaching and training children enormously (my Welsh ancestry kicking in); especially when I hear some groups singing!!! Then again, I start recalling the little poem that Sir George Guest use to tell me during my training sessions with him, and that knocks me back into reality. LOL

The Choirmaster stood at the pearly gates
His face was worn and old,
He stood before the man of fate
For admission to the fold.
“What have you done,” Saint Peter said
“To gain admission here?”
“I’ve been a Choirmaster, sir,” he said,
“For many and many a year.”
The pearly gates flew open wide
Saint Peter touched the bell.
“Come in,” he said, “and choose your harp
You’ve had your share of hell.”