For your consideration, the overall account of the whole convocation experience:
I would like to share my experience of planning and leading the music ministry for our diocese’s recent clergy convocation. There were approximately 180 priests and/or deacons convened for three days, during which daily Mass was celebrated.
When I was asked by the nominal priest who “staffs” the Office of Worship to lead music for these daily Masses, I specifically asked if he would support and approve my decision that the use of chanted proper antiphons and ordinaries would be the only form of music employed. He agreed to that condition and principle.
In short, all three daily Masses utilized the Introit set to psalm tones, with two of the Masses using the antiphon in English, the other in Spanish. I used the English antiphons from BY FLOWING WATERS, and utilized the same psalm tones for the Spanish, setting them in Finale for the schola of four other singers. I used the same approach for the responsorial psalms, not the graduals for the days, with two in English, one in Spanish. We did not use the proper Gospel acclamations, opting for the “sequitor” Alleluia generally known to all. For the ordinaries we had scheduled the Jubilate Deo compilation for the first day in modern notation, the De Angelis for the second day, and the Orbis Factor for the third. The De Angelis was the only setting in Gregorian neumes. For the Offertorio and Communio antiphons we used those from 2nd Sunday, Ordered: Dextera Domine, and Venite post me for all three days. These were printed in the order of worship pamphlet in modern notation, and the repetition was intended to encourage participation as familiarity increased over the three days among the clergy. We also included modern notated versions of Salve Regina and Jesu Dulcis Memoria as concluding hymns, if need. Salve Regina was sung all three days. As mentioned, everyone was provided an 8 page order of music aide in large format. All singing was unaccompanied.
During the first day’s Mass (in a hotel ballroom) it seemed that most of the men joined in fully in the singing of everything but the Offertorio and Communio. That was anticipated, of course. The singing of the ordinary movements in Greek and Latin, as well as the Latin hymn, and the English antiphons and responsorial was full and fluid. After the dismissal a modest stream of priests and deacons whom I didn’t know or recognize walked by our little schola and all thanked us, making particular mention of the chanting in general, and the use of the Gregorian Mass setting in particular. The bishop (uncharacteristically) made positive remarks and thanked me by name, and the Vicar General was very positive with his appreciation. However in some brief encounters I had with pastors (whom I also consider friends) of some very prominent parishes who are my age or somewhat older ( 55-62), they were less than enthusiastic about having sung the service according to the natural Roman Rite, which was the stated objective. A sort of nebulous consensus remark was “It doesn’t do anything for me,” along with “We’re so far removed from that type of music, it seems like a step backwards.” All of these priests are excellent singers who regularly chant the collects, prayers and fulfill their singing roles as celebrants. It seemed, with one fellow who hired me at our cathedral 20 years ago, that he enjoyed chanting when he was the one chanting; I didn’t get the disconnect he expressed by saying that corporate chanting of the entire Mass didn’t suit his taste.
The second day our little schola of men were quietly rehearsing the introit (Spanish) when another prominent monsignor approached me and brusquely asked “Who chose the music for these Masses?” I stepped away with the priest and calmly responded “I did, monsignor, with the full approval of Father _____ of the Office of Worship. He then said “Well then, I’ll have to talk to him because we don’t need three days of this kind of music. It doesn’t uplift me.” I responded to him “Monsignor, the intent of using these forms, besides simple worship, is to provide priests with a model of how Roman Rite worship can be simply implemented in nearly any parish with at least one musical leader or singer with competent abilities, as well as the priest/celebrant himself.”
That didn’t register with this monsignor who countered with “I don’t understand. I know your work. I would hire you any day to be my director. Why would you choose all this chant. IT DOESN’T UPLIFT ME AT ALL.” Then the second day’s Morning Prayer and Mass commenced and we stuck to our guns. Again, the singing of the Introit and Responsorial in Spanish was taken up well, the De Angelis sung with familiarity and fullness, though notated in neumes. At the conclusion of Mass I approached the Bishop and mentioned that there were some priests who expressed dissatisfaction with the musical choices and did he want me to alter anything.
He said that we should “keep the propers, you know, the Kyrie and Sanctus….” To which I gently reminded him those were the ordinaries. He said “Oh yes, those. But you can do some hymns or songs instead of the antiphons tomorrow.
So, early the next morning I ran a supplemental half sheet, words only and included Bob Hurd’s “Gather Your People,” “The Summons (Kelvingrove)” and the Lambilotte “Panis Angelicus” which replaced the propers for the third day. We also sang Jubilate Deo again, rather than Orbis Factor. I had less singers the third day, which compelled me to revert to Jubilate Deo instead of Orbis Factor. And, of course, I accompanied the singing of the songs and hymns only. Before the Mass began I had a chance encounter with the monsignor who made the direct complaint to me, so I simply mentioned to him “Monsignor, the music selections have been adjusted.” I think this took him aback somewhat. I observed him soon after having a discussion with the Vicar General that seemed somewhat, ahem, “animated.”
The third Mass proceeded without a hitch, and thankfully ended with “Salve Regina.” Again, many more priests, young and old, Anglo and Latino, offered grateful thanks for chanting over the three days. None of the “Boomer” age monsignors/pastors made mention of any appreciation for the adjustments made.
I did want to stay with the game plan; but I felt it necessary to inquire as to our bishop’s preferences, as he would be the celebrant for the third Mass, and he requested the “compromise.”
So, I offer this account for your consideration and to give a series of snapshots of how such an effort, done with great care, preparation and in charity, was received by those who are the “liturgists” of their congregations.

I wonder if those who thought liturgical music was supposed to be a sort of OTC spiritual Zoloft were uplifted by the Yoo-yoo song.

You know, Joe, the one thing about that particular encounter that screamed "me, me, me" more than that complaint, was that it would never occur to this priest (and most priests I know, and that's a lot) how offensive he would find it were I, a lifelong, post-grad degreed professional DM, to ask him: "Are you going to preach like that every Sunday? Your homiletic style doesn't uplift me." How long would it take for him to compel my boss to dismiss me for such insolence towards his authority?

This is so fascinating. I do hope you plan to write up a more detailed account of your experience for SACRED MUSIC

Baby steps, baby steps, as a sympathetic, musically astute priest keeps reminding me.

(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)

Or, as Fr. Z says, "brick by brick."

Please, oh please, Msgr., show me in any document regarding music where words like "uplifting" or "upbeat" appear!

The next time someone says to me, "The music you use sounds so 'churchy'", I'll reply, "Why, thank you! We ARE after all, in CHURCH you know!"

(Well, maybe I'll say that in my head.)

How is JP doing , anyway?

What a funny notion, Ian- clergy in my bailywick whose cybersurfing would include any liturgical blog, particularly this one! And surf they do. See it everyday. One of my former pastors of late memory gleefully regaled me with his daily, multiple visits to the website of Our Lady of the Angels from its conceptual stages through to completion (one could now visit Oakland's site for the same experience, I suppose.) I would listen and "hmm" now and then, just as I do when my current pastor verbally unveils the next "great idea." The point is- very little of what, in my experience, clergy looks for or gains in their quests on the web has anything to do with the reformation of their mindset as principle liturgists for their own congregations. Political intrigue in the Vatican via Rocco? Ooh la la. Whose up for the next bishoprics in Nome, Alaska and Nacadoces, Texas? Ya gotta hear this!
I miss hearing from JP, too. His last post in CV was, for me, heartbreaking, though I know he'll come up smelling like mint julips.
Meanwhile, back at my rancho, we'll keep a beeswax candle lit in the window for hope.