What not to do for music at Mass
  • MarkB
    Posts: 1,084
    Exhibit A
    https://youtu.be/TzWGaJajxLc?t=33

    Exhibit B (start at 9:10)
    https://livestream.com/stmonica90403/sunday530/videos/216937019

    Exhibit B... I'm not even sure that's a valid Mass. A stream with prerecorded content shown on a large video screen adjacent to the altar of sacrifice where the priest celebrates Mass, such as it is? Look at what they did for the sign of peace. Sheesh.

    For a grown-up version of Exhibit B (start at 13:50)
    https://livestream.com/stmonica90403/sunday530/videos/216558639

    Yes, I realize those are the extreme outliers of craziness in the Church. But they exist.
  • tandrews
    Posts: 174
    Goodness gracious, to think I applied for the DM position at Exhibit A back in 2018. I am very glad they chose someone else!
  • SponsaChristi
    Posts: 402
    B was a valid Mass, objectively speaking. I’m assuming he’s a validly ordained priest, had the intention to do what the Church does, used valid matter for the consecration. The sacrifice was completed, albeit there were a lot of liturgical abuses and illicit things done.
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,890
    Yet another case of weird sanctuary design and Jesus is shoved off to the corner with people sitting with their backs to Him.

    Same with the beautiful St. Monica's, although this time they've cemented over where He should be enthroned in the high altar. Also, this whole production is what happens when people take "active participation" wayyyyy too far.
    Thanked by 1tomjaw
  • Steve QSteve Q
    Posts: 121
    From the looks of the congregation's demographic in Exhibit A parish, it doesn't appear that the music has been wildly successful in "attracting the young people" (often heard as the stated goal of having such music).
    Thanked by 7tomjaw ServiamScores tandrews a_f_hawkins CHGiffen Caleferink Little_Durufle
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,890
    I had the exact same thought...
  • CatholicZ09
    Posts: 284
    Unfortunately, my home parish has added something close to Exhibit A (guitar but not electric) to our weekend Mass schedule. I stepped down from being a cantor months ago because I didn’t like the direction we were going under our new pastor. Last weekend, our bulletin contained an advertisement saying, “Do you like the music you hear on the K-Love radio station? Attend our 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass to hear our contemporary group!” Gag.

    Exhibit B, St. Monica’s in California, has been an issue for several years, now. The one thing they got going for them is that their 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass with their contemporary group draws large crowds. The church is packed (well, was pre-pandemic).
    Thanked by 2Don9of11 ServiamScores
  • wolffwolff
    Posts: 25
    UGH!!! that is just simply, the worst garbage I think I've seen in any church.
    Once you start seeing the microphone stands and bits and pieces of a "praise band" that's the end starting right there!

    A local church here streams their service and the quality of the stream is horrible, it sounds like it's done on two cans and a string and looks so amateurish it's a joke, their streming doesnt have enough bandwidth either so the music sounds even worse. The voice sounds good but ALL of the music- piano, organ or singing is absolutely horrid sounding, try this

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eqiVre6T4o

    Skip to 14:00 to hear piano and "choir" and 57:00 for piano and solo

    You just KNOW that when comments are turned OFF, people have been complaining!
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,510
    I'm almost sad to see music so well-produced as in these examples, because of the pastoral problem of near-ineradicability.
    Thanked by 6CHGiffen ServiamScores irishtenor Caleferink Little_Durufle Steve Q
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 2,890
    Imagine if they put that much effort into singing the simple english propers or Fr. Weber...
    Thanked by 2MarkB trentonjconn
  • MarkB
    Posts: 1,084
    I had a similar thought. The kids sang "Hakuna Matata" "Siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'" as the Entrance Hymn Gathering Song. They did a marvelous job on the harmonies, too, even though the final product is the result of separate individual recordings being edited together, pitch correction and sound production/mixing.

    How many of the people who produced that segment would object to asking children to sing Latin on the grounds that it's not a language the kids understand? How many would object to polyphony on the grounds that it's too difficult?

    Kids can do it. Many adults refuse to let them try because of their own liturgical, theological or spiritual hang-ups.
    Thanked by 6irishtenor a_f_hawkins CHGiffen trentonjconn Caleferink Elmar
  • Brian Michael Page
    Posts: 157
    Is it me, or in Exhibit A, did the guitarist take the pick out of his ear?
    In all exhibits - the music is absolute garbage.
    BMP
    Thanked by 1wolff
  • wolffwolff
    Posts: 25
    I think he pulled more out of his ear than a pick Brian haha
  • francis
    Posts: 10,825
    SeeYaJesus... he is leaving now
  • Little_DurufleLittle_Durufle
    Posts: 57
    Most of the Masses where I went to college were much like Exhibit A, which is why I rarely went to Mass on campus unless it was a quiet Mass or the Extraordinary Form (when I was obliged to play organ, sing, or serve as an acolyte). Performing "exhibit A" music at campus Masses 1) is embarrassing and 2) guts the liturgy of solemnity and stillness from the outset. This college would even do that kind of music for Stations of the Cross during Lent.
  • ghmus7
    Posts: 1,483
    Comments are turned off....that was smart!!
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