Our church did a recent survey on programs, buildings, ministries, etc.
The one topic getting the most feedback from parishioners was about having more sacred music. Pastor, staff, liturgy committee were all stunned.
I think it speaks to the times we are in and what we want to hear.
Other comments?
There is Catholic Metal. “Demon Hunter,” for example. Anoreth left some CDs when she ... left.
One reason I like Spanish liturgy is that most of the music in our books is in traditional forms. It’s traditional Latin American forms, like Valse Ranchero and Rumba, but it’s still traditional.
Bad = U2 (is phony Bono a real Catholic?)
Good = Mozart
If you do not get it after listening to his Requiem and understand the Latin words then you will never get it.
It went downhill from Vatican II when they introduced folk music and kumbyah stuff. The only good changes since then are a few of the Protestatnt hymns they brought in. I wouldn’t go anywhere near a folkmass these days.
I really can’t stand church music except “Amazing Grace” and two or three others.
I have given up. We get one traditional hymn about every 6 weeks. Otherwise it's the 70's stuff, which is either bland or sounds like pop music.
I consider this suffering which I offer up. I listen to CD's at home in order to hear good sacred music.
It's funny what he says about the progression of forms. The emergence of jazz and later rock and heavy metal. I sometimes wonder if it isn't ironic to hear conservative radio shows with heavy metal music interspersed. It makes commercial sense, and it may just be the way the tide is going. But I wonder sometimes if it is in keeping with "founding principles", and if the culture doesn't in fact determine our political outcomes.
It's absurd to think that Washington or Jefferson would respect or enjoy heavy metal music. But it's equally absurd to think conservatism could ignore modern culture and just play Bach (like Buckley did on Firing Line.)
But what wins out in the end? The words the commentators say, or the culture they (unwittingly?) represent through their tone and style?
I happen to think the culture wins, for good or ill. The art you present must agree with the ideas. In the end, I believe the art---music, language, visual arts--can overwhelm the words.
Anyway, I think that's a secular version of the same inquiry this article makes. I personally don't like "modern" Christian songs. Christian rock. I've sung some of it for clients. I prefer the awesome, sublime, utterly respectable and noble music of JS Bach for spiritual inspiration.
what songs are bad? I see the same songs listed in the songbooks at various churches.