Excellent response on the performing/ministry question.

I personally abhor using the word "performance" when referring to sacred music sung/played in its proper context. "Presentation" or "offering" seems to make so much more sense.

The whole performance versus ministry question is a straw dog in my book. Haas consistently dodges the concept of proper training and practice or anything that remotely approaches a high standard in music by swathing everything in the cloth of "ministry". And yet, everything about him is performance-oriented and consumer-driven. I'd love to publicly challenge him to post any of his music to his website as a free download to be used by whomever, whenever, without additional permissions or royalties. It will never happen because he's plugged into the publishing industry.

At every turn he pours scorn on those of us who are dedicated to the advancement of high standards in music for the liturgy, claiming that what we do isn't "ministry" and that we're driven by "professionalism" which is somehow antithetical to "ministry". This is great bosh, indeed.

His use of the word "ministry" permits him to avoid the question, "just WHO are you/we/they ministering to?" Clearly, if you read his many books and articles, it's never about serving the Lord in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, it's always about creating an environment where those who participate in the ministry are made to feel that they belong. It's that old problem of narcissism. He and his followers will claim is all about serving the people, but of course the only way to serve the people is to somehow be visibly engaged in some kind of "ministry" up in front of them with a microphone and a tambourine, crooning the latest trendy tune he or one of his cronies have just released on their latest CD.

I think too I've figured out why Haas objects so rigorously to the LifeTeen model. It has nothing to do with what he claims, that it creates "dis-unity" in the parish by permitting the youth to worship in their own way with their own music at a particular Mass. I think it has everything to do with his fear that his music will become marginalized and irrelevant. The only way he can ensure that his music remains mainstream is to always and everywhere insist that his music belongs at all Masses, and by exploiting the youth by claiming that the only way young people can be made to feel that they "belong" and "have a place" and are "actively ministering to their peers and the whole community" is to be singing his music in sacro-pop band at Mass.

Gavin, what about setting up chant instruction as paraliturgical? Present it as gaining literacy in what is at once the foundation of Western music and a very rich, scripturally-bedrock prayer life. Along the way, as an aside, mention that these chants are still integral to the Mass, but most people have just forgotten about them. Then the light will go on in someone's head, and the question will be asked from the grassroots: why can't we do this at a Mass, then? Anyone who tries to present a negative answer will have a tougher time. Bottom line: chant instruction is always good. Put the naysayers on the defensive, not yourself.

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Calmness, people, please. Names and overstated adjectives don't help. And remember, please, we're publishing this conversation to everyone on the planet who knows how to type "google". For all time.

What we have here is people struggling to find common ground given that we're all coming from different places. I can respect that this person finds spiritual value in a diversity of musical styles and abilities. Whether I choose to focus my leadership on that is up to me, but I need to attract people toward sacred music rather than push people into it.

It takes longer, but you get more permanent results.

You know, perhaps I need to seek out a support group, rather than post this stuff here.

Point taken, Carl D.

I've removed all the inappropriate content that I posted, and am sinking this discussion. A "google" search won't bring up the original content now.


Thanks, all.

ARE there support groups for musicians? At any rate, rather than "Hi, my name is Gavin and I'm an organholic", I generally just try to befriend other musicians, and typically would go out for beer after choir rehearsals. One of the things an early organ teacher taught me, the importance of relationships with colleagues.

And hey, if you're in my city/metro region, let me know and we'll get some beers.