Sorry to crash this thread, but I need to vent:

Just found out today that the pastor will be ordering Gather 3 asap and that I will be expected to follow it exclusively. Furthermore my future planning must follow the model of 70% contemporary and only 30% organ-based traditional hymnody. I must include the dates of all musical compositions on my planning sheets to prove that I am doing that. All psalm settings must be taken from the Gather psalter including weekday school Masses and all choir music must now be contemporary and "upbeat" or "uptempo". No chant. No Latin (perhaps the few titles in Gather 3 will be exempted?) and no sacred polyphony written before 1970. 10 years of hard-work slowly implementing positive change all down the toilet. I suppose I should thank the Lord that I wasn't fired; of course as soon I can find a better circumstance I will be quitting. If my family didn't depend on my income I would have quit on the spot, but my guardian angel held my tongue from saying what I was really thinking. Please pray for me!

And no this isn't the first such quibble with the pastor, but since a few dissident catholics have continued to bark in his ear, he is willing to cater to their needs, not listen to my professional opinion and basically thumb his nose at the Church all to appease his own malformed musical and liturgical tastes and make a few people happy who don't even know their own Faith all to the detriment of the multitude of souls that will be lost now as a consequence. So much for glorifying God and sanctifying the people.

@Earl_Grey, so he's going to forbid singing the music printed in the Roman Missal? Considering that some dioceses mandated that music, that's curious.

chonak raises a good point. What is the position of your Diocese on sacred and liturgical music?

My prayers are with you and your family, as well as the people of your parish who will suffer because of this aribitray, ill-considered, and high-handed maneuver of your priest.

Does contemporary and upbeat "choir" music even exist? I cannot imagine many of these contemporary hymns being set SATB.

Amen, Charles.

Lord, in your great mercy: hear our prayers.

The ICEL chant mass for the assembly was only put together in 2010.

...Of course I'll probably have to accompany it on the guitar or piano so as to not use up my 30% quota of organ accompaniments.

I can't wait until Christmas when I have to explain to people that 70% of the time I'm not allowed to play any carols written before 1970.

Earl, bless you in your new challenge. Souls will not be put in jeopardy because of this autocrat. Rest easy.
May I suggest an alternative strategy to our colleagues? Take the pastor's lemons and make ........ Cosmopolitans.
First of all, because of your family, and here's hoping you have all the health benefits from the diocese as they're more valuable than salary....
Remember heirarchy, subsidiarity. Make those two words worthless phonemes, but make your commitment to the concept real.
Regard your boss as the in persona Christi, and then sing like Whoopi Goldberg, "I will follow him wherever he may go...." Heck, sing Sister Act arrangements ASAP for all you care. You're not sellling out, you're obedient.
Don't just give him 70/30, give him gladly 75/25. If you're not capable personally of being Elvis or Sir Elton John, then find some substitutes with smiling faces who will constitute the new parish Praise Team and instruct and guide them to bring on the cult of personality to the max. You will survive physically as will your soul. You're being loyal, earnestly.
Make darn sure that all your reasoned choices are as difficult for congregations with syncopations and such that only your "pro's" can manage them, and isn't that okay because the music is about "us" after all, ain't it?
When you program one of the twelve great Catholic hymns, make sure that you perform them as would Michael W. Smith, Matt Maher, Chris Tomlin or even Bill Gaither. Lay the emotional lather on in good measure, not just to get the job done but to make sure the "feeling" of the shave is just right.
Keep those ordo records. And also keep an extensive book on the quiet souls, some may be "heavy hitters" in the parish, who come up to you and timidly inquire "Wha' happened?" Document everything said to you in severe but unemotional detail.
Don't play or act the stooge. Follow through because you were told, and you follow. If you're challenged, respond truly and say in all truth, "This was a cross I carried for my soul and to praise Christ. If I've failed to honor Christ through obedience to you, pastor, I pledge to serve you better in His Name." Yada.
If he doesn't react to the cult of personality by then coming to you and wanting to talk Turkey fo' real, you'll have bought time to seek other pastures. No one has to die. YMMV

Melo, I'm afraid you are absolutely right, I just don't want to drink the cup. I actually came up with that exact strategy about a year ago, but couldn't bring myself to do it. But now, given the ultimatum, I see no other option. I can croon with the best of them and have even been known to don the Elvis suit on stage (though never in church). I even did perform the Woopi Goldberg version of Hail Holy Queen a few years back when we did a parish festival Mass where the choir combined forces with the Life Teen band. I've been compromising all along, hoping that the hint of music sacra will eventually win in the end. The dissenters don't want compromise or balance. They only want it their way all the time. I've always felt the Nuremberg defense was a cop out and I'd like to think that I'd have the courage to be a martyr rather than compromise my standards. But truth be told, I have been compromising all along. So until God places me in a parish where I can be true to myself I have no choice other than to follow orders and be the entertainer for a paying gig. I am still concerned for my own family as I don't want them attending Mass at the "Church of Nice" and I am genuinely concerned for the souls of those who are not receiving the fullness of the Faith. Further. for my own edification I feel the need to attend a Mass where I can actually worship, but that's near impossible with the all-day Sunday gig a cedar-catholic.

"Don't just give him 70/30, give him gladly 75/25"

If you're doing 4 hymns, 70/30 may be more difficult anyway...

I can't wait until Christmas when I have to explain to people that 70% of the time I'm not allowed to play any carols written before 1970.

THIS.

E_G... hang in there dude! We are praying for you!

I dread the possibility of this situation at my parish (though certainly not with the current pastor). Two decades of Glory & Praise before my tenure began. Now we have the Vatican II Hymnal and people sing louder than ever (especially the ICEL chants), but a new pastor with a different vision could flip a switch and all the old folks (pun intended) would be back -- those who have not left the parish/Church are patiently awaiting release from the Babylonian captivity of the 7:30 AM "quiet" Mass. And they ARE patient...probably more patient than many on "our side" who demand immediate change.

On the other hand, I almost welcome the opportunity as a true test of my humility and priorities. Married with one child (and more to come sometime?), I do not have the luxury of quitting just because I'm not allowed to have it my way anymore. It would be more work and truly challenge my creativity (honestly -- it's been pretty easy choosing hymns from the VII Hymnal, and propers). Truly, I may be more in touch with the musical vision of the Church than such a hypothetical future pastor; could I have the humility to put that fact beneath the pastor's authority (assuming he is not commanding me to sin)?

E_G, thank you for sharing this. It is a good reminder for me to keep this question in my mind: how can I put aside selfish things and best be of service to my God, my family, my parish?

In rare cases the answer might be: "Quit and find another place." More likely, it is something like "Joyfully do the best with what you have." Leo Nestor, recognizing the realities in many parishes, counselled us in his own colorful way to make the worst things shine like gold.

Ben, thanks for the nod. I think they can be found at the Cafe. And on YT at "tccovmusicministry."
That said, I think Earl's pastor isn't at all inclined for any contradiction at this time. I think perhaps he's reacted to some sort of stimulus of late (HHFrancis/Abp.Sample...) and decided to tilt at windmills with his own crusade for AmChurch music; he literally wants to lead the singing of a new church into being where all are welcome, particularly if they agree with him.
Humility is the only silver bullet left everyone, including EG, that and prayer.
CCenCA

One more thought-
Isn't it a curiosity that through the PapaRatzi years the "All are welcome" folks kept chiding RotR advocates not to imperially impose our "taste" upon the "folk," to be open minded, magnanimous and inclusive? The timing and manufactored tumult of this new papacy has provided some clerics, perhaps (just sayin'), with an impetus to impose their taste upon their flocks as if they're Huey Long. What goes around...

Best wishes in your challenges. This whole "what music is best for liturgy" is making me feel like running from it completely. In addition to being DM at my parish, I also teach music at another parish and was told today that next year I will have to rehearse their children's choir and do all the school masses (presently, their DM does the school masses). In my parish, I've finally gotten the people to be listening to, if not completely accepting of, SEP and hymnody. My responsibilities at the school for next year include going back to touchy feely masses with guitars and drums. When I suggested changing to what I've been able to implement in my own parish, I was shot down completely. So, I guess on the weekends I will maintain my dignity in ensuring sacred music is not lost, and during the week I will go back to coffee-house style masses. In the meantime, my stomach is killing me on a regular basis trying to juggle.

Musicteacher,

I am sorry for your trashy situation. I am not sure I understand why if they wanted touchy feely Masses, they didn't just have their own DoM do them instead as thye have in the past.

@Scott_W: I disagree. I've been both a Ronin and a Retainer, and at least for now as a Retainer I'm treated as an expert, and deferred to for my expertise. There have been rare occasions when I've had to swallow hard and acquiesce to an otherwise unpalatable request, but they've generally been few, far-between, and to do so was not without long-term benefit to my reputation and working relationship with my pastor who actually appreciates and respects my ability to respond charitably and obediently to such requests when necessary. He tends to "bank" them and then return the favor when he sees I've got my back against the wall and need his support for something he may not completely understand or agree with.

It's a win-win situation for me right now.

E_G's situation is different. Clearly the pastor is doing everything in his power to hamstring and hobble an otherwise intelligent and hard-working musician (nobody lasts 10 years in a parish like the one he's in if they're not hard-working and possessing the patience of a saint. I know of what I speak, because I happen to have grown up in his diocese, and in a town right next to the parish in question . . . in fact, my sister taught in his parish's school for many years) with the likely goal of driving him out so that he can bring in someone he's already got in mind. It is both a gross violation of professional ethics, social justice (real social justice, not Kum-bah-yah social justice) and to my mind a grave moral error and sin against charity on the part of the priest, and I would tell him to his face if he asked . . . and maybe even if he didn't. Sin is sin and needs to be pointed out, especially when committed at the hands of a shepherd of souls.

Venting aside, I've been there. It's awful, and I would point out that in cases like this one must meet cunning with cunning. Folks who do this, especially when they've secunded the priest who is either a) a useful idiot for the purpose or worse b) complicitous, will stop at nothing to drive you out, even to the point of ruining your reputation. So be very careful.

Also, be patient, update your resume, keep your ear to the ground and above all, "Keep Calm and Carry On." If they bait you and you rise to it, you'll have a much bigger mess on your hands.

And another piece of practical advice: if his bizarre requests came during the course of a conversation, write them down in a memo, in as much detail as you possibly can, indicating that based on the conversation (give the date and circumstances of the conversation) it is your understanding that you are to conduct your affairs in the following manner: a), b), c), and then conclude with a request for written verification that you understood the conversation correctly. In this way, with his response you have clear documentation that you are doing what he's asked. If he refuses, send a second memo or letter insisting that he provide instruction in writing, otherwise you'll proceed as you always have for the last 10 years. It may seem a bit passive/aggressive, but on the other hand you will appear perfectly reasonable in your request and his refusal will seem rather petulant and unreasonable.

Above all, remember that God calls us to be martyrs, not masochists. (Yes, I've been talking to our friend, E_G. We really need to talk soon.)

I'll be praying for you.

For levity and brevity, I consider myself neither Ronin nor Retainer (I lost so many when 13), but a Samurai. In Latin, that's pronounced:
sah-moo-rah-eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

The pastor did provide all of his edicts in writing. And while all the practical advice of using contemporary refrains and chanted proper verses seems like a good idea--that's what I have been doing to get by heretofore. That is no longer an option. Even the responsorial psalms must now be all contemporary metrical settings from the Gather book. All my composed psalm antiphons for the weekday school Masses--no longer permitted. (Even the Guimont psalm tones, which are in Gather are not an option).

I am thinking that seeking a career in another field is the way to go at this point. Problem is my degree is music ed and I really don't want to teach in a public school (we are homeschooling our children after all), and a catholic school would likely put me in the same situation I'm already in. Though I play competently, organ is not my forte so high profile cathedral jobs such as the one in St. Paul is not a likely fit. I have a Masters in vocal performance. I could teach voice but most colleges require a DMA and for the past 10 years I've not been teaching advanced students. I thought that the church career would be more stable for the family life--and I saw a genuine need and thought I was answering the Lord's call, but perhaps it's time to peruse my dream of singing for the met.

As soon as I can secure another source of income, I can then perhaps have a greater affect on liturgical music from the outside.

E.G. You and David Andrew and I have GOT to talk soon...call David with your schedule and we'll get together for lunch.

Two things regarding this priest:

"Stupidity is sufficient unto itself. Wisdom can never learn enough." - Mechtild de Magdaburg

"The two most plentiful elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity." - Harlon Ellson

Melo my dear friend... you have a brilliant (if twisted) mind.

EG...send your family down town to Saint Joseph's. The priest is Father Poggemeyer, he is very Orthodox.

Ten, Richard, ten. One must be inclusive and do the Spanish even if the celebrant has to sit for five minutes after the altar is cleared. We must respect the integrity of not only Sr. Toolan, but whatever crackerjack associate(s) rendered a faithful translation. And I have it on good advice from our friend in Portsmouth that if they're are 120 in the congregation and ten of them are Mien ancestry, no matter how many generations removed, it would be wise to at least do two more verses in Mien, or LaHu, or Hmong, Urdu, Sanskrit, Gaelic, Gallic....well, you get his point. We are "c-atholic" and we R HOSPITABLE! Und ve will like it.
Wendi, you have no idea. Another W does...the Saint.

"If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."

(42) Amen Amen, I say to you, whistle the whole two miles. Do you not have a saying, "It's a small world after all?"