Music

We now have Breaking Bread Sunday Missals in the pews and hymn number displays in the front corners and back wall of the church. We will continue to use slides, but we will also post hymn numbers for any of the pieces that are also in the books. Starting November 26th and 27th, the readings in the book will be applicable to Sunday Mass.

Screen projection has caught on in the Catholic Church, especially during the Covid years when books were often removed as a precaution. I like books because you can see the melody and the words are available for review after the song has been sung. I also like screens. In my experience, people participate in singing better with screens. The best part about screen projection is that someone can change their mind in the middle of the song and join in without having to open a book and look up the tune.

I think the best answer to the question of books vs. screens is all of the above. So all of the readings, responses, and most songs will be available both on the screens and in the books. Maybe 25% of what we sing is not in the books and in that case, we will only have it available on the screens.

Remember, the primary music minister of the Liturgy is the Assembly. Everything that the music leaders do is to facilitate the full and conscious participation of the assembly.

Peace,

Tim Smith
Director, Music Ministry
C: 248.821.8443
O: 248.418.7240
music@olorcc.org

In an earlier article we were discussing the US Bishops document called Sing to the Lord. It is a directive that details the roles for musicians and the assembly. Another passage:

The choir must not minimize the musical participation of the faithful. The congregation commonly sings unison melodies, which are more suitable for generally unrehearsed community singing. This is the primary song of the Liturgy. Choirs and ensembles, on the other hand, comprise persons drawn from the community who possess the requisite musical skills and a commitment to the established schedule of rehearsals and Liturgies. Thus, they are able to enrich the celebration by adding musical elements beyond the capabilities of the congregation alone.

The choir and all the musicians’ job is to enrich the celebration of the Liturgy without minimizing the participation of the assembly. So the success of the music ministry is not measured by how well we perform, but rather how well we are able to engage the full, active, conscious participation of the congregation. As stated above, the voice of the assembly is the primary song of the Liturgy.

To that end, we need more musical leaders by way of choir members, cantors and instrumentalists (last call for a bass player). Please contact me if you think you might be interested.

Tim Smith
Director, Music Ministry
C: 248.821.8443
O: 248.418.7240
music@olorcc.org

About 15 years ago the US Bishops came out with a document called Sing to the Lord. It is a directive that details the roles for musicians and the assembly. The role for the music leadership (cantors, choir, instrumentalists) is very much the inverse of the role musicians assume in just about all other performance formats.

In a concert, the audience listens passively as the musician actively performs. The performance is the end goal. Whether it’s a recital hall or Comerica Park, when we go to a concert, we say we are going to see the performer.

In liturgy the musician’s role is very different. The musician’s performance is a means rather than an end. The people are not a passive audience but rather an active assembly who are an essential element of vibrant worship.

The primary role of the organist, other instrumentalists, or instrumental ensemble is to lead and sustain the singing of the assembly and of the choir, cantor, and psalmist, without dominating or overpowering them. (From Sing to the Lord.)

As I get to know the keyboards and sound system, I am backing the volume off a bit so I can hit the right balance of assertive leadership without drowning out your singing – which is the end goal. Next week we’ll add the choir to 9:30 AM mass and we’ll continue to search for that balance.

Still looking for altos, tenors and a bass player. Contact me anytime.

Tim Smith
Director, Music Ministry
C: 248.821.8443
O: 248.418.7240
music@olorcc.org

(Sopranos & Basses welcome too.) We meet Wednesday nights 7:30-9:00pm.

Looking for bass players, percussion, string and brass players. We could use these players at special liturgies. Also, I would like to talk to any intermediate/advanced keyboard players. (If you are a student, I always meet with both student and a parent.) We want to develop church musicians of the future!

Call Tim Smith 248.821.8443 or e-mail me at music@olorcc.org.

Tim Smith
Director, Music Ministry
C: 248.821.8443
O: 248.418.7240
music@olorcc.org