Music at Church

I’m curious about something and want to see how other people feel about it in other parts of the country.

How important is good musicianship to you during the Sunday liturgy? Particularly if your church has a music ensemble (singers, musicians, instrumentalists etc.)

I ask because I am conflicted between two schools of thought.

The one school of thought is that anyone who wants to be part of the ensemble should. No audition, no prior experience, and unfortunately sometimes no talent. For instumentalists, if you can carry the instrument in and get a sound of it, you’re in! Reading music isn’t necessarily a requirement either. The idea is that any noise given with the proper giving and joyful spirit on the part of the giver, is a joyful noise to the Lord (and penance for everyone else.)

The other school of thought is that everyone has different gifts. If your gift truly is the gift of music (and you can verify that with at least some effort towards training, instruction and hopefully a bit of talent) you are welcome. Beautiful music enriches the experience (at least it doesn’t distract from it).

My thought is that for children’s and youth groups, the first school of thought with a gifted leader is wonderful. Such groups would participate in youth liturgies or at specially designated times during the year.

The other school of thought would consist of talented, trained professional or amateur adults and young people who are competent enough to handle the rigors of the weekly liturgical music and make it sound beautiful, or at the very least, not awful.

Any thoughts?

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