Parish Music: the philosophy

I’m fond of quoting St Augustine’s often-cited saying that “He who sings, prays twice”.  I checked up, to be sure, and discovered that he didn’t actually say that.  What he said was:

“For he that singeth praise, not only praiseth, but only praiseth with gladness: he that singeth praise, not only singeth, but also loveth him of whom he singeth. In praise, there is the speaking forth of one confessing; in singing, the affection of one loving”.

So there was a bit more to it than we find in the shorter version.

Ok, “philosophy” sounds a bit high-flown maybe…  But common to all the musicians who sing and accompany the singing at Mass is the belief that we are there to join with and to support the congregation in prayer,  and to make it easier (in the words of the old Catechism) for us to “raise up our minds and hearts to God”.

So we are never happier than when you join in and fill the church with His praise. And if you “don’t know this one”, give it a go anyway; most likely you’ll have it sorted by the fourth verse.

If you are interested in joining the musical crew, either as an instrumentalist or as a singer,  please send in a note to me on the form below (or come and see one of us after Mass).

Best wishes to all

Colin