A Tribute to Dolores Hruby
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We remember Dolores, sharing stories and insights...

Reflections On Pope Benedict's Organ Blessing Address, Regensburg's Alte Kapelle, Wednesday, 13 September 2006

by Larry Barton | February, 2007
It was interesting to note the text of the pope's blessing address for a new pipe organ. I was encouraged by his choice to reinforce the importance of music as an integral element of liturgy, particularly as a means of active participation. And not just lip service, but in a way that spoke strongly, not just for the organ, but for music:

"Music and song are more than an embellishment (perhaps even unnecessary) of worship; they are themselves part of the liturgical action. Solemn sacred music, with choir, organ, orchestra and the singing of the people, is not therefore a kind of addition that frames the liturgy and makes it more pleasing, but an important means of active participation in worship. The organ has always been considered, and rightly so, the king of musical instruments, because it takes up all the sounds of creation–as was just said–and gives resonance to the fullness of human sentiments, from joy to sadness, from praise to lamentation. By transcending the merely human sphere, as all music of quality does, it evokes the divine. The organ's great range of timbre, from piano through to a thundering fortissimo, makes it an instrument superior to all others. It is capable of echoing and expressing all the experiences of human life. The manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God."

That sounds great. Especially if you play the organ, or enjoy the sound of one. I was somewhat surprised, and even more encouraged to read the following:

"Psalm 150... speaks of trumpets and flutes, of harps and zithers, cymbals and drums; all these musical instruments are called to contribute to the praise of the triune God."

How many of us actually believe that "all these musical instruments" are appropriate for liturgy? I am still saddened to hear comments crop up among musicians, parishioners and clergy about the inappropriateness of some instrument or a style of music for Mass. "Style Wars", as Michael Joncas referred to this issue [his PowerPoint notes are available here], are still creating divisions among us. When I hear a person tell me that drums, or accordion, or electric guitar, or (you name it) are not worthy of being used in worship, I wonder...

I wonder about what negative experiences with an instrument led to a person's opinions. I wonder if the music this person prefers was abandoned at some point for a style or instrumentation they were less comfortable with. I wonder if changes to their parish's repertoire are done with care, preparation and explanation. I wonder about the practice of separating music styles by Mass times, and how harmful it is. (You know, the "organ" Mass, or "choir" Mass, or "guitar" Mass, etc.) I wonder why more people responsible for music leadership don't blend styles and instrumentation within a single liturgy. I wonder how much musicians (and clergy) feed the divisions among people. I wonder, at the core, what fear gives rise to a person's distaste?

So... let's do a little examination of conscience. What would it take for us to stop putting each other down, to resist the urge to defend our own—often unexamined—tastes and practices? How can we, as pastoral musicians, serve the greater good by reaching across barriers, rather than reinforcing them? Hmmm. Do our actions, decisions and opinions whisper that we value our divisions more than our shared identity in Christ?

"In an organ, the many pipes and voices must form a unity. If here or there something becomes blocked, if one pipe is out of tune, this may at first be perceptible only to a trained ear. But if more pipes are out of tune, dissonance ensues and the result is unbearable. Also, the pipes of this organ are exposed to variations of temperature and subject to wear. Now, this is an image of our community in the Church."

Does each of us really believe this analogy—an appealing and intuitively correct comparison—or do we just think "how nice", and ignore the implications? Especially implications that might force me to change? Can we, as a pastoral musicians, and therefore powerful influences on our local Church's liturgical experience, be honest with ourselves? Honest enough to identify our shortcomings? Honest enough to put effort (and it will require effort) into making changes that will heal divisions rather than perpetuate them?

"Just as in an organ an expert hand must constantly bring disharmony back to consonance, so we in the Church, in the variety of our gifts and charisms, always need to find anew, through our communion in faith, harmony in the praise of God and in fraternal love. The more we allow ourselves, through the liturgy, to be transformed in Christ, the more we will be capable of transforming the world, radiating Christ's goodness, his mercy and his love for others."

Amen.

Your comments on this article are welcome. Write to contactus@npm-gr.org to express yourself. If you do not want your comments posted along with this article, be sure to say so.

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Where Will the Music Come From?

by Aline Snoeyink | March, 2006
Many of us are aware that the state of Michigan is requiring an increase in math and language credits to graduate from hight school. This will begin with this fall's freshman class, according to a local news cast. That leaves less time for music, dance, theater and art. Where will our young people get their music education? Where will the music come from without a balanced education in music?

A recent press release from NPM stated that "study in all the arts—dance, music, theatre and the visual arts—is vital to Catholic education." {Catholic Connections} The second Vatican Council declared: "The musical tradition of the Catholic Church is a treasure of immeasurable value, greater even than that of any other art." {Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy no. 112}

Therefore, it is the responsibility of all of us as church music ministers to raise our children with the education they need; cultivating and nurturing their gift of music. It's not only declared vital by the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, it's sanctioned by God himself. In regards to the assignments of the Levites outlined in 1 Chronicles 23:5 "...four thousand were to praise the LORD with the instruments which David had devised for praise..." That's quite a choir. We all know the Bible contains many references to singing and music. In nearly every major occasion in scripture, music and singing were present, even following the first Eucharist prior to the betrayal of Jesus: "after singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives".

Our children need to know music has always been a vital part of life, worship, mourning and expressing joy. There is more than singing songs on the radio and praise choruses. To not open the doors to all the treasures of music we have been given is to cheat our future generations of all the gifts God has bestowed upon us.

If you are a children's choir director, hang in there. If you're a parent, please encourage your child to sing. If your church doesn't have a children's choir, START ONE!

Your comments on this article are welcome. Write to contactus@npm-gr.org to express yourself. If you do not want your comments posted along with this article, be sure to say so.

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