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Controversies 'MACHINES' VS. 'PEOPLE' Most roles within the Catholic Liturgy are undertaken by people. This includes Priests, Passkeepers, Readers, Eucharistic Ministers etc. It used to include musicians . . . . There seems to be an increasing role now for the ‘machine’ in accompanying worship. Whereas this can perhaps be understood in churches where there are no musicians, the ‘machine’ (karaoke, CD player, MP3 or whatever) seems to have an increasing role in churches where there are some resources. Unfortunately in this day and age not every church can manage an organist/keyboard player, guitarist or music group. But many have instrumentalists who could lead singing by playing the melody line on, for example, a violin, flute or recorder. Many young people learn to play an instrument at school, and this could be a way of involving them in the liturgy. Other churches have people who could competently lead unaccompanied singing in the traditional role of cantor. Furthermore, many of those churches resorting to ‘machines’ aren’t even doing so very well. To be effective in a building of any size, the ‘machine’ needs to be used in conjunction with a good PA system, rather than just propped up in the front of the church (on top of the font, or wherever!). So why is this happening? Is it because - of a lack of musicians? An aspect that often isn’t considered is how easy it is to operate the ‘machine’. Even playing CDs can be difficult when different hymns are on different discs, and there is a remote control that needs to be used. The more complicated ‘electronic hymnal’ type machine where you can alter the number of verses, key and tempo is a very complicated piece of electronic equipment! Sometimes people can be ‘press-ganged’ into operating these things in a way that distracts from their appreciation of Mass. Further difficulties can be encountered when the ‘style’ of music isn’t easy to sing to or isn’t what a congregation is used to, as can be the case when CDs are used to provide accompaniment. So is the move to ‘machine generated’ music really appropriate? And is operating a machine really a ministry? To put things in perspective, about this ‘growing industry’, Kevin Mayhew Publishers produce (in order from their website CD listing) No Organist? No Problem! - 200 hymns on 10 CDs Apologies to Mayhews if I have missed out any, or if more options have become available since this article was written! I wonder if the role of cantor in leading the psalm is under threat, and whether we will soon have pre-recorded responsorial psalms and gospel acclamations . . . . Hymntechnology.com produces the (new) HT-300 Hymnal Plus, which is able to play thousands of traditional hymns and modern worship songs, as well as your own MIDI files and MP3 audio files. It indexes to the most popular UK hymn books - just select your hymn book and then key-in familiar hymn numbers. The standard repertoire includes over 2750 separate recordings, linked to over 6100 hymn book entries. (The hymn list on the web site is in 2 columns and 41 pages long!) The all-new, custom voiced 16-bit PCM sound ROM features over 200 sounds. Select individual sounds yourself, or take the easy route and choose from hundreds of preset sound combinations (styles). Add digital reverb and chorus effects, and control the tone with the 3-band EQ. You can plan and store services in advance using the Play List memory. A display output option has been released - you can display song lyrics, prayers, messages etc via a projector or TV monitor; song lyrics automatically advance in sync with the music. The basic price is £1899 inc VAT. This article is dedicated to a violinist who was replaced by a karaoke machine . . . Maureen Arthur writes... I think you have covered a few interesting points which I wouldn't What do you think about this? Fill in the feedback form!
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