Copyright © 1995, 2003 by

Rick Swenton
106 Melinda Lane
Bristol, CT 06010-7199
All Rights Reserved

Permission is granted for use of this work in parish liturgy or music programs in a non-commercial setting provided that no fee is charged and that this copyright notice remains on all copies.

Diversity in Music

When I saw the new liturgy plans, there was this new Psalm scheduled for an upcoming Sunday. It was not especially easy with unusual (to me) musical intervals. I didn’t like it!

In my job as a manager of people, I frequently teach people how to deal with and manage change. I found it interesting that I was blind to my own advice. I had my own problems with change. What are some of the reasons I didn’t like that psalm?

It’s not like the ones we always do

It doesn’t sound like Haas and Haugen. Not that David and Marty are the only ones who write quality church music, but we relish the comfort of familiar melodies.

We’re not familiar with the melody

We have to work at learning it. We have to work at "something new." We wonder if it’s worth it. We thought we were exempt from the challenge of learning new music during the laid-back summer schedule.

The tune contains some unusual musical intervals or styles that we are not used to.

We avoid things that are "different" and cling to those that are familiar. We don’t like change and we begin to oppose the subtle differences between this psalm and the more comfortable renditions. Just think about how tough it is to remember to sing the inclusive language in Gather (God) as opposed to the familiar language (He) in some of the original octavos of the same songs.

Okay, so we don’t like change. But there’s another side to this issue. Why do we feel that we can make suggestions to change the director’s music selections?

I have heard people from other parishes say things like "If liturgy is the work of the people, why do we let the directors (and other "professionals") determine what "the people" like in liturgical music? One person used the example of Gregorian Chant CDs topping the sales charts while the music directors are turning to "popular church music" which only directors order and "the people" would never choose themselves.

If we only used sales charts and media popularity as a measure of success, then the works of Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh would replace the Lectionary and the Psalter and our music library would be filled with Bevis and Butthead vignettes.

The real issue is that the "directors" are trained to "know better." To go one step further, if the director is a minister first and a musician second, then you would have a trained musician building the Body of Christ. The building of Christ’s Church would be magnified by intelligent implementation of quality music. The "trained and know better" part implies that the music minister knows the responsibility to the assembly and is sensitive to their needs. It means the directors have to put aside their personal preference and are open to the diversity of all good music used to praise God.

After I wrote the first draft of this letter, I read the following article in the August-September 1996 issue of Pastoral Musician by Bennett John Porchiran. "Because music is all about communicating feelings, many people feel free to base judgments about pastoral music on their feelings, rather than on knowledge. So, unfortunately, when it comes to music (and other aspects of religion, for that matter), feelings often do get in the way. Because many persons base their opinions on feelings rather than knowledge (in this instance, knowledge about liturgy, music and their conjunctive roles), they don't distinguish between emotions and objective opinions."

Is questioning an act of opposition?

No! We do need to question. We need to question in order to grow and learn. We have our own opinions. They are likely to be based mostly on emotions coupled with our individual knowledge and experience. We can and should question anything we don't understand knowing that we will learn from the process.

We should remember to question church leadership directly and use the experience to deepen our understanding of the liturgy. We need to formulate "good answers" when we are questioned by the congregation. Our personal opinions should be cast aside as we respond in a positive, uplifting tone. Tell the person that you appreciate what they have to say and that you will be sure to pass the information on to the music ministry leadership. You don't have to express your own opinion (your personal feelings or emotions) but you can let the parishioner know that their opinion is important and will be conveyed. Don't agree or disagree. Grumblings do not foster a constructive dialog.

So, how should music be selected?

If we only used our individual and personal opinions to evaluate music for worship, we would be limiting ourselves and others to seeing the beauty of God's creation only through our own eyes. Let's take off our filters and let the wonder of God shine to all with its limitless variations and diversity.

As for me and my unwillingness to embrace change and remain objective ... guilty, as charged!