Oudoor Processions- Where to stand
  • JazFenn
    Posts: 15
    Where should the cantor stand/walk during an outdoor procession, such as Palm Sunday? We will only have one cantor.
  • SponsaChristi
    Posts: 693
    Stand behind all the servers, clerics, etc, but in front of the congregation.
    Thanked by 5StimsonInRehab JazFenn MatthewRoth Dr_Haze francis
  • JazFenn
    Posts: 15
    I had someone suggest that the cantor sing in the middle of the rest of the congregation so that they could be heard better. I’m wondering if that would even be true?? Or why is it that the cantor normally sings from the front of the procession behind servers and clerics?
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,423
    Because the cantor should be a cleric in front but they aren’t and so they go behind the priest.
    Thanked by 2JazFenn Chant_Supremacist
  • TLMlover
    Posts: 111
    This might help:
    https://epriest.com/liturgies/view/2285

    Our choir does not wear robes, so we will process behind the priest on Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday.
    Thanked by 1JazFenn
  • TCJ
    Posts: 1,049
    During Corpus Christi, our choir tries to be just in front of the congregation. Unfortunately, it's a free-for-all and people shove their way in front of anyone and everyone and it's really difficult to keep people together.
    Thanked by 2Roborgelmeister Chant_Supremacist
  • AbbysmumAbbysmum
    Posts: 156
    at TCJ - that's maybe where coordinating clothing or wearing robes will help? If the choir members are visually distinct from the rest of the congregation, maybe it will make people more hesitant to shove their way in.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 3,423
    it really doesn't matter, people do the stupidest stuff.

    You need physical bodies ready to put their arms up and block people. I have had people in the doorway on Palm Sunday and Corpus Christi. Like, really? What do you think was going to happen?
  • Dr_Haze
    Posts: 17
    I plan on having the Cantor and a Children's Choir walk directly behind the servers and clergy and ahead of the assembly.
  • Chant_Supremacist
    Posts: 284
    During Corpus Christi, our choir tries to be just in front of the congregation. Unfortunately, it's a free-for-all and people shove their way in front of anyone and everyone and it's really difficult to keep people together.


    I can't put my finger on why, but this post gave me a really good laugh.
  • SponsaChristi
    Posts: 693
    During Corpus Christi, our choir tries to be just in front of the congregation. Unfortunately, it's a free-for-all and people shove their way in front of anyone and everyone and it's really difficult to keep people together.

    You need to assert the choir’s dominance. Make a tight block of choir members. They shove you you, you shove back. Stare them down.

    We had a priest who dealt with this by being proactive and telling people the order of the procession and telling people to let the choir into the procession behind the servers. People listened. It’s amazing what clear communication can do.

    Failing that, invest in herding dogs to herd the congregation, who, like sheep, have gone astray.
    Thanked by 4CHGiffen Chant_Supremacist tomjaw CharlesW
  • francis
    Posts: 11,300
    Failing that, invest in herding dogs to herd the congregation, who, like sheep, have gone astray.
    i like this. It’s funny.
    Thanked by 1tomjaw
  • RoborgelmeisterRoborgelmeister
    Posts: 360
    a priest who dealt with this by being proactive and telling people the order of the procession and telling people to let the choir into the procession behind the servers

    But, but, but, that would require PRIOR PLANNING!!!
    Thanked by 2SponsaChristi CHGiffen
  • SponsaChristi
    Posts: 693
    But, but, but, that would require PRIOR PLANNING!!!

    And the priest actually sticking to that prior planning.

    Thanked by 2Roborgelmeister CHGiffen
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