"Music" at Masses: Songs, not Hymns.

This post is purely my unbridled, uncensored opinion about the so-called 'music' at St. John Bosco church in Hatboro.  I am critical, opinionated and brutally honest. Translation:  If you are easily offended... stop reading NOW.

I am a church going Catholic.  I love my faith, even though I was away for awhile.  I was in the choir at St. John's when they had a REAL trained choir director, Mrs. Winifred Bell.  She was a gifted, wonderful, patient woman, and a good friend.  When she retired, we floundered awhile until we were lucky to snag Dr. Lucy Carroll, another gifted, trained conductor and a wonderful musician.  She taught us much about singing and music.  Then... the pastor at the time, who was a creep, fired her, and we walked.  We went to the Carmelite Monastery in Philadelphia to sing.

We remained at the Monastery for ten years, till a few years ago.  Their choir still does a wonderful job.  And I continue to love the music, the sacred, beautiful HYMNS and motets, polyphony, and chant.  I learned to completely despise the garbage they call music now at masses.  If that's what you like, oh well ok, but it's definitely not me, I don't think it is respectful or sacred.  I still go to the Monastery when I need to hear good, lovely and well executed hymns and music.

Back to St. John Bosco...  a couple of years ago they made their 7am Mass music-less.  Which, considering I can't stand the more 'modern' music, was a welcome thing to me.  I would much rather have silence than the awful din and unsingable excuses for music they pick, and 'sing'.  I have, many times, complained to the parish powers about their music choices.  They insist on throwing songs (not hymns) out there which sound like circus music and BAD 70s disco.  Now they removed their 'recommendations' section from their facebook page, but that certainly will NOT keep me from letting them know how I feel.   Now that it's Easter Season, we devotees of the 7am Mass must put up with their awful music.  Nothing worse than bad music done badly.

If their 'music director' is a trained conductor, I am a monkey's uncle.  She is at best, a lounge singer and at worse, a 'performer' when she should be leading the congregation, not performing.  Now let me say I know many singers, one in particular, who has a beautiful voice.  I have heard her sing everything from oldies to the National Anthem.  She does both well and appropriately.  If she were a cantor at a church, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't use the same singing style as she does in either of her other venues.  If she were meant to LEAD the congregation, I doubt she would make it all about HER.

But this 'music director' makes it all about her when she is supposed to be leading.  And she is over dramatic in her moves and vibrato.  She sings an octave higher than is comfortable for any alto (like myself) or any male voice.  Most times, NO ONE is singing with her because she's out of everyone's range.  Not to mention that the 'music' is so UNsacred and irreverent, und un-melodic.

I see no reason why, if you MUST have 'music' at the 7am Mass, you can't offer more traditional HYMNS as opposed to songs, and God forbid you should sing anything in the beautiful universal language of the Church, which is LATIN.  Not everything, just a hymn here and there.  Maybe to keep your older folks happy?  You think they want to hear the SCHLOCK you are belting out from the pulpit like some cheap lounge lizard?  I think not.  They probably would actually SING ALONG with some traditional hymns.

It's pretty bad when the chimes from the bell tower at St. John's plays better music than what is heard on the inside.  Really.

Get with it, Ms. "music director".  Give us a break.  Pick some traditional, sacred music, and preserve the respect and mystery that the Mass is supposed to be, and leave the Oregon Press schlock, tripe and crap alone for once.  You may be surprised to actually hear people joining in the singing, or even want to actually (gulp) join your choir.

And there you have it.  If you are grossly offended, too damn bad.  I warned you.