Change? Change? A word that can produce apoplexy in traditional circles (but not magic ones).
Of course, I am not proposing any change to the wording of the Credo, that is beyond my remit somewhat, light years beyond, in fact.
But, having travelled the country attending Sung EF Masses rather a lot over the last 12 months, I observe that the choir and the people are not as one.
It is, as you know, the practice for choir to commence the Credo with the congregation taking over for the second tranche and it alternates from then on.
Even pre the Second Reformation, the congregation was not good at getting it right; there was always a bit of a fudge at the handover point, rather like a relay runner passing the stick on to a colleague who is not too sure when to grab it.
The result is a shade dirgey, a small tower of babble that picks up again when the choir re-asserts its authority.
So - I have a suggestion to make.
Let us all sing the Credo together, choir, people and priests. It is a most wonderful piece that calls us all to attention and points out precisely what we should be concerned with and then...and then....we come to the resounding "et unam sanctam Catholicam....." bit. This should be belted out with chests out and heads held high - and...in unison. The rafters of the church should shake and set Satan quaking in his boots.
Of course, I am not proposing any change to the wording of the Credo, that is beyond my remit somewhat, light years beyond, in fact.
But, having travelled the country attending Sung EF Masses rather a lot over the last 12 months, I observe that the choir and the people are not as one.
It is, as you know, the practice for choir to commence the Credo with the congregation taking over for the second tranche and it alternates from then on.
Choir = good
Choir + Congregation + alternate = bad
Choir + Congregation + unison = good
Even pre the Second Reformation, the congregation was not good at getting it right; there was always a bit of a fudge at the handover point, rather like a relay runner passing the stick on to a colleague who is not too sure when to grab it.
The result is a shade dirgey, a small tower of babble that picks up again when the choir re-asserts its authority.
So - I have a suggestion to make.
Let us all sing the Credo together, choir, people and priests. It is a most wonderful piece that calls us all to attention and points out precisely what we should be concerned with and then...and then....we come to the resounding "et unam sanctam Catholicam....." bit. This should be belted out with chests out and heads held high - and...in unison. The rafters of the church should shake and set Satan quaking in his boots.
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