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Surveys Music Ministry Survey The purpose of this survey was to find out how musicians' cope with their ministry in church, and how it impacts on their lives in a wider sense. Answers are summarised below. Nineteen replies were received. (However, not everyone answered everything, so sometimes the total number of responses to a given question is less than this). Additional comments were welcomed, and some of these are reproduced below. Many helpful remarks were written, but unfortunately there is insufficient space to reproduce all the comments made. The Music Core Group are very grateful to everyone who completed forms. Role - tick all that apply Organist 13 How many years have you been involved? 0 - 5 years 4 Are you involved in your minstry... Nearly every week 15 My personal profile Are you... male - 3 female - 16 How old are you? Under 18 - Are you in employment? Full time 4 Are you involved in any musical activities outside church? If so, what? (For example, do you teach music, play in a band, etc) Member of other choirs/singing groups 6 What standard are you in your role as a parish musician? Expert/very experienced 1 I would like to see more young people coming into the choir. Play piano, but don't feel good enough or confident enough to play piano/organ manuals at Mass (person who has recently passed grade 8 piano). Started by being asked to 'help out' for one week (Easter) then ended up playing organ on a regular basis . . . . For the statements in the following sections, please give a mark to show which of the options A agree strongly How my music ministry affects my faith and my life within the church Because I am involved in parish music (A B C D E) my faith is more important and real to me 9 4 5 1 - I feel valued by Parish Priest and some members of the parish. . . . . not everyone appreciates the importance of music in the liturgy though we carefully plan the music to fit the theme of each Sunday's Mass. . . . Singing has increased my knowledge of the psalms, not an area I knew anything about before I acted as cantor. Some parishioners encourage me, but there is no effort to plan liturgy. I feel Priest, musicians and others should have an impact in planning Sunday Mass ie discussing hymn selection with Priest so that it matches sermon and theme of Mass better. However . . . . (A B C D E) I feel I sometimes get pulled into 'parish disagreements'! 2 1 1 5 9 I analyse music elsewhere critically, but if I come across something that works for me I will use the idea. 'Critical' is the wrong word. More aware of music in other churches and interested to see if any of it can be of use to me in my own church. However, as I am involved almost every Sunday, opportunities for this are few and far between. If I wasn't involved in parish music (A B C D E) I don't think I would attend Mass as often - - - 3 15 my faith is very important in my life 15 3 - - - I feel positive about my own parish community but not the 'church' as an institution. One thing that can be really upsetting is when you miss Communion because you're trying to play a hymn and/or are not 'quick enough off the mark'. This is a particular problem on special occasions (for example weddings and funerals), when music arrangements are different from usual. Poor church layout doesn't help. I feel my spiritual needs are not recognised and ignored. At times because of difficulties in my role I have been alienated and distanced from the Church. However, my faith is important to me, and support is needed. It feels that 'I' have been 'discarded' together with my 'ministry'. My involvement in parish music has (A B C D E) brought me new friendships 7 6 5 - - Playing the organ gave me self-confidence and pleasure at a time when I needed it most. Besides, I love music! (though not necessarily all the hymns). We all try very hard. There are quite a few people who feel music lengthens Mass and they don't want to be at Mass any longer than necessary eg some walk out before final hymn right past me!
practise carefully 11 5 2 1 - Sometimes Priests seem unable to understand that musicians need to be informed. Overall my involvement in music ministry (A B C D E) brings happiness and satisfaction, it's a rewarding/enriching experience 9 7 3 - - I enjoy playing and contributing to the liturgy. I'm also pleased that I am (A B C D E) supported and encouraged in what I am doing 5 8 2 1 1 Unfortunately (A B C D E) sometimes it can leave me tired and feeling stressed 1 7 5 1 4 Unfortunately I would like to see more participation from the congregation. Previously I would never have said 'no' and sometime ended up playing or attending 3 Masses over one weekend. I am now better at saying 'no'. I have noticed that it is only when something goes wrong with the music that members of the congregation will come and make comments/commiserate. It is only very rarely that anyone will come and say 'thanks for the music', or that the music group members are appreciated. . . . It is very difficult to get singers for the choir. Our choir is now very part-time no matter how hard I've tried. Now I settle for a few practices before Easter and Christmas. However, when we are together it is very rewarding. I sometimes feel guilty about not attempting to involve more people in music but pull back fearing this would take up even more time and commitment. The 'desperate' musicians' prayer! - Nehemiah 13 v 14. |
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