“The choir should be positioned with respect to the design of each church so as to make clearly evident its character as a part of the gathered community of the faithful fulfilling a specific function. The location should also assist the choir to exercise its function more easily and conveniently allow each choir member full, sacramental participation in the Mass.”
– General Instruction on the Roman Missal, 312
A number of people often inquire as to why we don’t routinely use the choir loft for our liturgical music ministers (be they the choir, instrumentalists, cantors, etc.) It seems like a simple question, but there’s a number of factors that play into the answer. The simplest, though probably least satisfying answer is, “because that’s not where the piano and organ are.” The current space in both parishes established before I came to MBS and Incarnation, and moving the instruments alone is no small task, even if we wanted to relocate them.
The second is a more practical rationale – it’s (arguably) more effective to lead the music from where we currently have the choir area. Communication between the music director, cantor, choir and other musicians is important, and maintaining a mutual line-of-sight helps immensely. Likewise, when I am functioning as a cantor from the piano and attempting to lead the congregation in song, it’s helpful to see and be seen by the assembly. Of course, there are practical drawbacks as well. Choir lofts are designed to help the sound carry throughout the church space. However, the visual needs, as well as the implementation of microphones and amplification make this less of a concern.
Finally, the third reason is perhaps the most crucial. As stated in the GIRM above, the choir is intended to be both set apart from and simultaneously a part of the congregation. The choir is a part of the assembly and should be treated as such – not relegated to a distant second story space out of sight. Yet at the same time, their role in sustaining and supporting the voice of the congregation is best served in a designated space designed to Incarnation and Most Blessed Sacrament Parish Bulletins highlight their ministerial role. So the current configuration – both at the front of and to the side of the congregation – seems the best fit for where our choir belongs. We’ll save a seat over there for you when you’re ready!
Please accept this invitation to participate more fully, more actively, in our parish’s music ministry. If you are interested in singing in the choir, leading the congregation as a cantor, or enriching our liturgy as an instrumentalist, email Shawn Gelzleichter at sgelzleichter@gmail.com or call the rectory at 781-662-8844.