I think I can make an educated guess that for some, its not always the cathedral clergy who are the biggest hurdle. A cathedral musician faces many challenges from complacent musicians and pastors throughout the diocese. Defensive attitudes and plain old laziness about renewing the sacred liturgy abound. And budget realities can stifle great program vision.

I say this after talking about this with a fine cathedral musician a few months ago. After hearing of his very real frustrations, I continue to pray for his encouragement and gradual success.

[deleted by author]

Um, folks-- and I'm just speaking for myself here -- could we head off any temptation to talk about some individual's job experience, when he's not here to give his own story? It verges on gossip. Thanks for giving consideration to this.

I suppose the question is, is a cathedral just another parish church in which special events are held, or does it reflect the musical desires of the Bishop for his diocese?

I'm still new at my post at the cathedral in Peoria, and have only lived in the area a couple years, so some of what I say is only what I have pieced together from various conversations. Perhaps it is not even relevant to the question at hand, seeing as our situation in Peoria is very unique. Our biggest struggle is trying to keep up with everything that our bishop and liturgist are looking for (which is not a bad thing)! Our bishop seems to have changed things a few years ago (I am assuming around the time he took his post as bishop). Prior to Bishop Jenky's time, there were only a few truly big cathedral Masses every year. The bishop would do confirmations at the local parishes, and there were few other ceremonies besides the regular liturgical holidays and ordinations and such.

Bishop Jenky envisioned the cathedral as being a real mother church to the diocese, however, and so the number of liturgical celebrations was drastically increased. We now have special Masses for lawyers, health care workers, etc. He also requires that confirmations be done at the cathedral instead of at the local parishes. This increased attendance at the cathedral has pushed forth its ability to be a real example of good music and liturgy. I believe we have something like 80+ different liturgical celebrations at the cathedral every year, all of them painstakingly planned!

There is another prong to the work: we are working to offer diocesan workshops on the liturgy and on sacred music. One such workshop is coming up in less than two weeks. The Cathedral Chant School is a unique part of this same mission. I am periodically offering classes about reading and understanding chant, and working not only to develop fine cathedral scholae, but also to educate them in church documents and liturgy.

I'm so impressed I am not going to make jokes about music for a lawyer's mass.

I am not going to comment on present situation here, except to say that in spite of having a lovely choir and doing good liturgy, the Pastor never attends our special sevices, or compliments the choir for a job well done and prefers the guitar mass. 'Nuf said.Too depressing. We ar ehaving an Ordinationsoon and Ican['t bring myself toeven mention the comunionhymns. Sigh

Donna

Speaking of Lawyers' Masses and rabbit holes:

"My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord" (sorry to bring the AV on here, but I love the translation).

Thanks Angela for all your work at the cathedral, which is an excellent model for other dioceses. It looks like really a good amount of work, and God called you for that and He trust you. I hope each diocese have a cathedral chant school like you. What a blessing.

...and David Andrew, LOL on the responsorial psalm!

Cathedrals don't have to be parish churches, although most of them are. Cathedrals also can be capitular churches, but most of them in the U.S. are not. Absent chapter and parishioners, the cathedral church is the seat of the bishop, to which all parishes of the diocese are in relation as chapels are to a parish church.

As the main church of all the parishes, the Cathedral has a responsibility not merely to be an example to parishes, but to regularly celebrate the fullness of the Latin liturgy--the Pontifical Solemn form.

I can report positive developments at the Cathedral of Palm Beach Diocese in FL. Adam Brakel, a young, but astoundingly talented organist, has taken the reins. I'm serving as a sort of informal advisor for him. He really wants to do the right thing, but doesn't have quite enough experience in liturgy just yet. At least there's a place I can go and sing proper Catholic music and it should only get better. The cathedral staff is behind him, if they do ask him to slow down at times.

Paul Thornock, Director of Music at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Columbus Ohio, recently while doing a workshop for music directors in the Diocese suggested that all of us read Sing Like A Catholic by Mr. Tucker. He is a huge supporter of singing both the Propers and Ordinary in Gregorian chant and polyphony. I'm sure, were he emailed and requested, that he could share some of his experiences here. He did mention during the workshop that Bishop Campbell is very interested in beginning to chant the Credo at the Cathedral.

The music program is amazing... check it out: http://www.cathedralmusic.org

Wow, the parish choir and schola look good in Columbus, OH.

Daniel, we have Latin Mass at 9 in our cathedral. How about our chapter propose helping it out? They definitely need some help. (Our Archbishop received PBC book and CDs of Dr. Mahrt's talks on sacred music last month after the White Mass, and he was very thankful. He also mentioned that he sees the value and the place of the sacred music in the litrugy, including Gregorian chants, but he knows the challenge.) I would like to talk about it at the chapter meeting this Saturday.

Angela M., I'm up here in the Joliet Diocese, where we have begun a schola to help with the extraordinary rite Mass set up by Bishop S. in Naperville. We are fledgling, but enthusiastic. Maybe we could be of help to each other! We sing the Gregorian propers from the Graduale every Sun. We offer prayers without ceasing...

bsven, as a former resident of Lisle and student at BU (IBC/SPC), I'm delighted to hear that this is happening! Any help from St. Procopius Abbey?

Rsven, yes, I know who you are now, we met briefly when you visited the Colloquium, no? You can click on my name in blue on the thread, and my email should come up. If not, ask Anna to give you my info: she friended me on Facebook. :)