Occasionally when singing at church, I get an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of music in worship services. It's easy to get complacent or to unintentionally shift focus from the celebration of the Mass to the performance of the cantor. When you have a particularly complimentary congregation, or a song that you know will really show off your voice, sometimes you slip into performance mode and forget that as Cantor you are responsible for leading the people in worship. It's not because of any great ego (though there is certainly no shortage of that among musicians in general), but perhaps you sense the great power of your position. The Mass is driven by ritual and tradition. Certain texts spoken at certain times by certain people. Traditionally as Cantor, you have the responsibility of proclaiming the Responsorial Psalm and leading the congregation in the responses (e.i. Sanctus, Angus Dei, etc.).
Additionally, there are opportunities to "set the mood" as I see it. A good prelude will alter the perceptions of the people. They are entering the sanctuary, each with their own thoughts and preoccupations. A well-done prelude will bring them out of their individual concerns and unite them in the purpose of worship and celebration. Another favorite moment of mine is the Offeratory Hymn. As the gifts are brought up and the altar prepared, we have switched focus from the readings and homily and now are coming to the pinnacle of the Mass. A suitable piece, thoughtfully performed, will accomplish the task of once again uniting focus (once they have put their wallets away after the collection, that is.). The communion hymn is definitely for the people and their participation. It should be familiar, easy to sing, and contemplative. But as communion is finishing, sometimes you have an opportunity to sing a "meditation". There are these poignant moments which so much rely on the music; it is therefore not surprising that the Cantor will find themselves transforming into a performer, if they do not remain constantly aware of their purpose.
I said all that to say this. On Good Friday, our quartet sang at the service. Holy Week is filled with special ritual, Latin, responses, and traditions that are only seen at this time, but have been performed almost as long as the Church has been in existence. If there's any time of year that will remind a Cantor of the history behind their position, this is it. The service began in silence. The congregation doesn't NEED music to know that they should be reverent. Music is so prevalent; we feel the need to fill every moment with sound. It is silence that in fact gets people's attention. After the first reading, we did the Psalm. It was a simple chant, the verses on one note. Somehow, we all paid more attention to the text as a result. After reading the Passion and the homily, we did the intercessions in a special way. Each petition was chanted by the priest, we knelt in the middle, then stood. After each petition, the congregation chanted, "Amen." They didn't need us at the microphones to know to do this. As the cross was brought up for veneration, the deacon chanted, and the congregation responded. Again, the musicians were not needed for the congregation to unite. During the veneration of the cross and communion, we sang some familiar hymns, but also did two pieces a capella. As we sang, I no longer felt that we were putting on a show for the benefit of an audience, but that we were an extension of the people, putting to music the ideas they couldn't express. We were a part of something bigger. I thought, also, of the thousands of other Good Friday services around the world taking place at the same time. The Universal Church was very real to me at that moment.
I didn't expect to write so much, and I'm sure some of it only makes sense to me, but sometimes you just have to write for yourself.
Have a Happy Easter everybody!
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