Catholic Director of Music "Standard Apology Form"
  • 32ContraBombarde32ContraBombarde
    Posts: 160
    Just for a laugh, here's a Catholic Director of Music "Standard Apology Form"

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    Thanked by 9Chant_Supremacist Liam Roborgelmeister novusgordo StimsonInRehab tandrews ian_udell Charles CHGiffen
  • ServiamScores
    Posts: 3,381
    Oh this hit me right in the feels.

    True story: one time I came down from the loft and someone angrily complained that the organ was too loud. After I talked to this person, I headed up the side aisle toward the church offices and someone else grabbed my arm and thanked me for the robust organ playing; they felt so much more secure singing when the organ gave them hearty support... they loved it!

    Two people. Exact opposite reactions. Same mass, complaint/complement *literally 90 seconds apart*. That was the day I decided that I was just going to do what I was going to do, and people would receive it however they received it. I literally couldn't accommodate one without inversely affecting the other. (To say nothing of the fact that I thought my hymn playing was just right! lol)
    Thanked by 232ContraBombarde CHGiffen
  • 32ContraBombarde32ContraBombarde
    Posts: 160
    I learned a long time ago to let every one of those kinds of complaints roll right off me. Smile and say "thanks for the feedback" and move on. You're absolutely right: "I literally couldn't accommodate one without inversely affecting the other." I sometimes think some of the burnout church musicians experience comes from taking complaints too seriously and trying to accommodate too many special interests (in other words, trying to make EVERYONE HAPPY, otherwise known as an IMPOSSIBLE TASK). I say: do what Mother Church teaches, follow your Pastor's lead (help form him if needed), and don't give a second thought to the contradictory complaints.
    Thanked by 2probe CHGiffen
  • francis
    Posts: 11,423
    That was the day I decided that I was just going to do what I was going to do, and people would receive it however they received it.

    Eight rules that you are not going to be able to avoid:

    Rule number one: many will complain; gossip is one of the main tools of the dark side
    Rule number two: and then some of that will make it to the clergy
    Rule number three: the clergy will report to you that they have had complaints about you
    Rule number four: smile and say, "yes I am aware of the complaints."
    Rule number five: see how long you can last under the present administration. They will either buckle to the pressure of complaints or support your efforts.
    Rule number six: only heaven knows which way it will go
    Rule number seven: never compromise on your convictions
    Rule number eight: if you get kicked out, shake the dust from your feet and move on!
    Thanked by 1Charles
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