The Parish Choir

The Parish Choir

By Judith Courtney

We are still basking in the warm glow of David Haas’ visit. In his short time here, he content ranged over many topics. The one I wish to reflect on below, is the role of the parish choir.

It is good for parishes to have choirs. They do many things which assist the development of beautiful liturgy. To be beautiful, liturgy needs to flow. Choirs learn words and music beforehand, eliminating uneasy pauses and uncertain introductions, giving confidence and providing vocal body for the singing assembly. They come to know the Mass, its ebbs and flows and are ready to sing the parts. They brighten the sound of the singing assembly. They sing with the musicians at an appropriate and uniform tempo. They reflect on words and meanings in the songs we sing, they discuss these and they voice this meaning as they sing. They model participation in the Mass.

All of these reasons are important reasons for choirs to be a part of parish life today. But wait, - there is more.

Choirs, according to David Haas, are a mini church, a church within a church. They are visible and model for the rest of the community what a church can be. A choir prays together. Warm bonds develop between choir members – relationships form. Family members become sick and care is extended. People die and the choir grieves together. People have important moments or anniversaries in their lives and they celebrate together. Choirs extend their care to the wider community, singing perhaps at the local hospice, perhaps at a rest-home or retirement village, perhaps at a local prison. As a group they develop a certain strength and this spills over into the wider community and together they provide a variety of assistance whenever they find the need.

Does you parish have a choir? Maybe it is time to form one!