Raising The Roof:
When working with a parish we often suggest the formation of a Music Committee. This is a group made up of the music and choir directors, along with a cantor, choir member or accompanist from each of the weekend Masses. The task of this committee is to raise the level of congregational singing at the weekend Masses.

The first step is to brainstorm all the possible ways in which the people's singing could be improved. At one parish, in the space of just twenty minutes, the eight people in the group came up with seventeen ideas. Below is a sampling of what they suggested:

1. Make up a list of songs the congregation knows and enjoys singing. Pass the list around to the people and let each person choose the top five. From this exercise develop a hit parade of songs and use at least one of them once a month at the liturgies.

2. Once a month practice one or more songs before Mass. Use a cantor who is gifted at bringing out the best in the people. Using humor, persuasiveness and encouragement, entice the congregation to sing out, both before and during the Mass.

3. Be clear about the songs to sing and where to find them. People are often confused about what they are to sing, both songs and the parts of the Mass. (This idea prompted the committee to make up a music aide for every Mass as an easier way to help people know what to sing next.)

4. Connect with the congregation better. It is not enough to raise a hand and expect people to join in. They need to be reached out to and invited into the singing. This is a skill that takes practice so that it is not overdone, but connecting with the congregation is essential.

5. Don't underestimate the abilities of the congregation to handle more challenging music. Find a song that the people could singing in parts and practice this piece with the people over a few weeks, leading up to a special feast or celebration. (The music director in this parish tried this out with surprising success. People sang "Be Still My Love" in four part harmony on Palm Sunday and were so excited they wanted to sing it again on Easter.)

6. Pass out the music for a new song as people leave Mass, inviting them to look it over and even "practice it" before they come to the liturgy the following weekend.

7. This may not work at all the Masses, but consider inviting the people to sing a song as a round, one section of the church starting out and other sections picking it up one at time. Choir members could stand in front of each section to keep them in synch. Another option is to split up the verses so that men sing one and the women another, or one side sings one verse and the other side the next; anything to raise the level of interest and participation.

8. Initiate a "Song Night" at which people would gather to sing their favorite liturgical music. Everyone would have all the music before them. One person would call out a song and an accompanist would lead everyone in singing that song. The evening would continue with people choosing their favorites, ending with an encouragement to sing out loudly at the weekend Masses.

These are just some of the ideas that were generated. The committee continues to meet on a monthly basis, always looking for ways to "raise the roof" and help people pray together through joyful song.

Tom Sweetser, SJ & Peg Bishop, OSF
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(www.pepparish.org)

Parish Newsletter - November, 2006
A Service of the Parish Evaluation Project
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Reproduced on the OPRFM website with permission