[annalex]

if you asked me to go up and lead the congregation in "Soon and Very Soon" I could do it and I could get the crowd to join in. But if you asked me to lead the congregation in "How Great Thou Art" I'm pretty sure the only thing the folks in the pews would be doing is covering their ears.

Completely opposite of my experience. It is true that "Soon and Very Soon" has certain clap-your-hands quality to it (so does all pop since rock'n'roll), but that is reason enough not to sign those in church. I love singing in church and "How Great Thou Art" is in the top ten that make me join in singing, despite the asthma. While it requires a vocal range, the melody is logical, and it conveys right emotion, in harmony with the general esthetic of Catholic worship.

The problem is that the congregation responds to pop and anything resembling the pop idiom. so, dear choir directors, any time you see the congregation hops up and down, clap their hands, and generally act like teenagers, realize that you have driven the spirit of worship away with your musical leadership, and change your repertoire at once.

[old and tired]

While it requires a vocal range, the melody is logical, and it conveys right emotion, in harmony with the general esthetic of Catholic worship

What is the right emotion? And what is the general esthetic of Catholic worship? Haven't you seen televised papal Masses with songs from the St. Louis Jesuits? Is the general esthetic of Catholic worship more Catholic than the Pope?

[alnick]

",,,realize that you have driven the spirit of worship away with your musical leadership, and change your repertoire at once."

Or perhaps the spirit of worship has arrived once the clapping and participation begins.