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T he Ministry of Musicians by J. Michael McMahon
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arishioners who take part in Living the Eucharist will be prepared for deeper and more active participation in the eucharistic celebration. Because singing is one of the principal ways in which the assembly takes an active part in the liturgy, musicians have a particularly important role to play in leading and supporting the congregation in singing the Mass. There are many music ministers involved in serving the worshiping community: directors, cantors, psalmists, choir and ensemble musicians, organists and other instrumentalists. All of these ministers can benefit from reflecting on the following points to help them serve the worshiping assembly more effectively.
Be a pastoral and liturgical musician Musicians make use of their abilities in many settings, such as concerts, social gatherings, and public events. The role of musicians in liturgical celebrations, however, is a bit different from any of these, because at worship they are performing a ministry that relates both to the liturgical event itself and to the worshiping community.
The liturgy is an act of ritual prayer that combines actions, symbols, words, and signs. Singing and music are not used merely to enhance this act of ritual prayer, but are integral elements of it. Every liturgical celebration is an action of the whole Church that by its nature calls for the full, conscious, and active participation of the assembled community. The primary role of musicians is to foster that participation. Musicians assist the community not just in singing at Mass, but rather in singing the Mass. Every music minister — director, cantor, psalmist, instrumentalist, or choir member — should have a thorough understanding of his or her liturgical role. The psalmist is a proclaimer of the responsorial psalm; the cantor is both a singer and a leader; the choir is both part of the assembly and a singing dialogue partner with it; instrumentalists are leaders of congregational song and supporters of choir singing. A detailed description of each musical ministry is found in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops liturgical music guidelines, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship (STL), nos. 28–47. One way that music directors carry out their liturgical role is by choosing musical settings of the responses, acclamations,
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and other parts of the Mass sung by the whole assembly or in dialogue between the priest and the people. Directors are also responsible for choosing music for other parts sung by the congregation, choir, or cantor, like the songs for the entrance, preparation of the gifts, and Communion. Choosing music for the liturgy is unlike music selection for concerts or other kinds of events. Because music is an integral element of the liturgy, it must always correspond to the words and actions of the rite. Because the full, conscious, and active participation of the assembly is a top priority, music for the celebration should always foster that participation. To be effective liturgical musicians, music ministry leaders should be thoroughly familiar with the official guidelines found in Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, which provide both general principles and specific guidance for each part of the Mass. To be good pastoral musicians, music leaders need to know the communities they serve—their joys and struggles, their cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and their abilities—so they can choose wisely, teach appropriately, and lead effectively.
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How would you describe your role as a music minister to the parish Confirmation class?
Can you describe the differences between “singing the Mass” and “singing at Mass”?
liturgical music has a sacramental aspect. At the liturgy, and especially at the celebration of Mass, the worshipping community is joined to the eternal heavenly liturgy, at which angels and saints and all of creation take part. Through the beauty of music, the liturgical assembly is lifted beyond itself to the banquet of the Lamb. At the same time it experiences here and now the abiding presence and saving action of God. Good music-making requires more than innate ability; it also demands training, discipline, and, of course, practice!
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In what ways can the skills of music ministers affect the sung participation of the assembly?
Develop your musical skills Effective music ministers are good musicians who possess both artistry and skill. Fostering assembly participation and leading congregational song are activities that require a variety of musical skills, including singing, playing, and directing. To serve the singing and praying community well requires competence in one or more areas of musical art. The quality of music-making is an important concern for music ministers, not only because it has such a significant impact on active participation but also because
Have you had an experience of intense musical beauty at Mass? How did it affect you? How are you currently developing your musical skills? How could you become a better musician?
Be a disciple and a minister The service of all lay ministers is grounded in Baptism, through which we became part of God’s holy people and members of Christ’s Body, filled with the Holy Spirit.
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Ministry requires an attitude of self-emptying, following the example of Christ, who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). This aspect of ministry can sometimes be difficult for musicians, many of whom have found in musical art a powerful mode of self-expression. The communal nature of the liturgy, however, summons musicians to put aside the desire for self-expression in order to serve the entire community.
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In what ways are you nourishing your baptismal call through prayer and participation in the life of the Church? In what ways does the call to ministry challenge you to a different or renewed way of serving the singing and praying community?
Be prepared In Sing to the Lord, the U.S. bishops teach, “Liturgical musicians are first of all disciples, and only then are they ministers.…Like other baptized members of the assembly, pastoral musicians need to hear the Gospel, experience conversion, profess faith in Christ, and so proclaim the praise of God” (STL, no. 49). Music ministers, as members of God’s holy people, are called to lives of faith and love, of prayer and service. Musicians should: take time each day for personal prayer, read and meditate on the Scriptures on a regular basis, participate in the sacramental life of the Church, conduct their lives in accordance with the Gospel, demonstrate concern for others, and give witness to Christ in word and deed. Because their service flows from membership in the baptized assembly of believers, musicians “are not merely employees or volunteers. They are ministers who share the faith, serve the community, and express the love of God and neighbor through music” (STL, no. 49). This kind of service is ministry, because it is rooted in Baptism, flows from a gift bestowed by the Holy Spirit, and is directed toward the good of the entire community.
Careful preparation for Sunday Mass allows music ministers themselves to participate fully in the liturgy and to provide competent, pastoral, and effective ministry in fostering the active participation of the liturgical assembly. Read and pray over the Scripture readings and other texts during the preceding week. Reflection on the Word of God should be the first and foundational step in preparing for music ministry at Sunday Mass. Reflect on the sung texts of the Mass. Pray over the words of the responsorial psalm along with the antiphons, psalms, and hymns that will be sung at Mass. Practice on your own. Psalmists and cantors should practice proclaiming the psalm and the other texts that they will sing alone. Organists and other instrumentalists should be sure that they can play each piece of music accurately and with proper tempo and expression. Directors should be thoroughly familiar with the nuances of each musical item so that all can follow with confidence. Rehearse together. Choir members should attend rehearsals, pay attention to their own parts and those of
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and prepare carefully for your ministry, the Holy Spirit will work both in and through you in powerful ways. The opening paragraph of Sing to the Lord presents a mystery well worth our meditation: “God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises” (STL, no. 1). Your ministry as a musician can help the assembly experience the presence of God.
Recommended Reading others, and write down any special directions. All music ministers for a particular celebration should rehearse together, even if briefly, so that nothing is left to chance during the liturgy.
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How do you prepare for your own participation in Sunday Mass?
How much time do you devote to rehearsal each week? What would be ideal?
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n Are there changes you need to make in your own preparation?
The fruits of your ministry As you serve as a pastoral and liturgical musician, develop your musical skills, grow as a disciple and a minister,
Jennifer Kerr Breedlove and Paul Turner. Guide for Music Ministers. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2007. Kathleen Harmon, SNDdeN. The Ministry of Music: Singing the Paschal Mystery. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2003. J. Michael McMahon and Gordon E. Truitt. Ministries of Sung Worship. Silver Spring, MD: NPM Publications, 2005. J. Michael McMahon, Paul Colloton, and Gordon E. Truitt. Seven Sessions: The NPM Study Guide to Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship. Silver Spring, MD: NPM Publications, 2009. Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship. Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2007.
Author n J. Michael McMahon is President of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) and Director of Liturgical Music at Saint Agnes Church, Arlington, VA. He holds a D.Min. degree from The Catholic University of America and an M.A. in liturgical studies from the University of Notre Dame. He served for many years as a full-time parish minister, and has extensive experience as a teacher, writer, and speaker in the areas of liturgy, music, and Christian initiation. Copyright © 2012 by Paulist Evangelization Ministries. Permission is granted to duplicate this article for educational purposes related to Living the Eucharist. Published by Paulist Evangelization Ministries, 3031 Fourth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, www.pemdc.org Ph otos: W.P. W it tm a n Li m ited, pages 2, 3 a n d 4.