Can they sight sing an offertory from the GR?

I'm not going to name the Cathedral that had the best music program I have ever seen led by a liberal Episcopalian, but it happened. So...

My own view is that this person should go easy. Switch to better hymns. If there are drums anywhere, move them to the Sunday afternoon Mass. No blood on the floor. I have yet to find anyone who objects to really well done 16th Century motets, so look up my question about the easy ones and suggest that the person do those if they have four voices to work with.

The Simple English Propers are there to be used, and can be a way to introduce the congregation to chanting the propers--the introit before the bell in many parishes. Maybe one thing at a time. Direct them to the Chabanel psalms and all the Psalm settings at Corpus Christi Watershed.

I have a breakdown of what the GIRM requires if you send me your email.

Those are my suggestions from a mix of experiences.

Kenneth

I tried to paste my summary of the GIRM, but it was nearly 5000 characters too long...so, just send me your email and I will send it to you.

Now, now. The liberal Episcopalian I am thinking if did a punctiliously correct job, beautifully. If the director in this question has indeed been hired, then he should be told what the rules are and let him use his skills to make it beautiful.

But funny,, CharlesW

If the pastor GENUINELY wants to improve things, he will hire a Catholic who knows something about liturgy and sacred music.

I think I can see the Catholic (I almost said byzantine) twist to the Music Director's problem: who has Father's ear? Is pdF someone from the interviewing committee? From the choir?

I think Noel is clearing his throat...

When preparing for the position I thought I'd be in, and am now (a volunteer trying to improve things), I found a total immersion idea quite daunting, and people snippy rather than helpful. (Well, you SHOULD know this already. I mean, it's basic.) Let me point out that I have read Latin since I was a teenager, and routinely immerse myself in nice, dense theological discussions. The problem is, "What first?" (Heavens, 15 years ago, I could not find a simple explanation of how to read square notes except for a line in the Introduction to the Liber Usualis.)

So let me repeat my first suggestion: start with the GIRM, the Simple English Propers, and better hymns. Choral pieces as possible. Nothing too wrenching to begin with, and hopefully some pastoral teaching to help people understand.

Just Pastoral teaching on the purpose of the Propers. I attended one NPM national meeting, because it was next to my house Two ladies who just did what they could with as good an attitude as they could muster had gone to a panel on the Propers and come out bewildered. They happened to ask me, and I knew, so we talked for a few minutes. (For one thing, chanting the Communion Proper solves the problem of people standing in line and so not being able to read whatever song they are supposed to sing. Do the Communion Proper until a good number of people are seated. Then they can start sining. I've had liberals say that was a helpful suggestion.)And, of course, guidance from the Pastor at every step.

Pastoral and Catholic--meaning you want everyone to be blessed and to stay. I have a friend who only occasionally dips a toe in here, but he has the experience, so I will ask him to post something.

Kenneth

Just a thought, this person might do better than a Catholic who has been soaking in the usual VII spirit for the past 40 years. This person might not have a sentimental attachment to the questionable things that have been happening in the average Catholic parish.

Francine, I skimmed other comments so forgive me if these two basic training areas have been mentioned:
1) ask the pastor to send the new director to a CMAA chant intensive and colloquium. If the new director is not used to chant or acapella music, which factor large in Catholic music, it may be especially helpful to learn it from the inside, and in a faithful Catholic environment.
2) a lot depends on the musicianship of the director and what s/he is capable of providing or delegating well, but reading documents with the guidance of the pastor is good. (Then there is the difficulty of what the documents say and what standard practice is... but the pastor can help steer the director and answer questions.)

I think, Noel, it'a overkill if you do it at once, but the person was hired to make
Better music and needs to start fairly soon, And have a direction.So let me just pare it down to GIRM, GIRM, and more GIRM.

And yes , don't start making rash decisions. Apparently there's some bitterness at the parish where I now volunteer over peremptory changes.

Kenneth

Reading Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's writings on music, liturgy and the character of sacred music will be very helpful for a protestant working in a catholic church. The coherence and logic found in his writings overcome any personal taste or preference. They are also instructive and enlightening and, if chaos reigns in his new job, it will bring invaluable perspective.