contemporary music or traditional music in mass?

I'm a convert, I grew up with contemporary music all my life in the evangelical church I went to. When I was young they had an orchestra, but as I got older they transitioned to more of a praise band style. It was always cringy to me. Now that I'm Catholic that praise band style looks and sounds even worse because it's just way too juxtaposed to what the Mass is supposed to be. Plus the Mass is supposed to be distinct and stand apart from the rest of the world, I don't see that distinction when they shoehorn contemporary music into it.

So I appreciate when a Mass features, at most, an organ and a choir. If they do a mix of sacred choral music, polyphony and chant that's ideal but I'll take what I can get. As long as there's no guitar, tambourine or drum I'm happy. Unfortunately that's a tall order nowadays thanks to guys like Cupich and Gregory, so I'm often disappointed.

Cis.jd said:

well, the contemporary music is still through the same tone of traditional: Piano, acoustic guitar, etc.. its not jumpy like in protestant churches but they are singing some modern day songs.

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Eh in my experience the traditional music still has a much more respectful posture. Appropriately like we're in the presence of royalty. The only contemporary stuff I've ever experienced felt more like a carnival and brought God down into the mud with us rather than elevated us into his throne room.

I like contemporary music, if you mean the music written from the 1960s to the present. But I also find traditional music very edifying, not only the Gregorian chants but also the old hymns like “O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine”

As far as I'm concerned there's room for both traditional and contemporary.

No matter what you pick, you're not going to please everybody.

Cis.jd said:

I'm just wondering what is everyones preference?

I've been roaming different parishes in NYC, mostly finding young adult stuff.

Anyway, I've been to a few that had the traditional music, opera like singer, a piano or organ, and just the people singing and I've been to a few that where much more contemporary, with some songs from modern day christian music and more modern like singing.

Which do you prefer?

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I will always prefer traditional, but it's getting next to impossible to escape the more contemporary stuff. Thankfully, it's not like a rock concert (**cringe**) but it would be nice to feel like I'm in another time. The parish nearest me uses the piano (I think their organist passed away a year ago and they haven't found another one), but the sound system there is so voluminous that the sound of the piano fills every nook and cranny of the church, and this helps IMHO.

spicoli said:

So I appreciate when a Mass features, at most, an organ and a choir. If they do a mix of sacred choral music, polyphony and chant that's ideal but I'll take what I can get. As long as there's no guitar, tambourine or drum I'm happy. Unfortunately that's a tall order nowadays thanks to guys like Cupich and Gregory, so I'm often disappointed.

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I just wish they'd drop all instruments and just do the freaking organ and schola. Actually I'd be happy if the Mass was only acapella. I want it to feel truly Catholic, but that feels like too much to ask for anymore. The one thing that keeps me calm about it is knowing that when Jesus instituted the Last Supper, there was no organ or professional choir

It depends on the hymn, but my favorite is traditional.

Lady Bug said:

I will always prefer traditional, but it's getting next to impossible to escape the more contemporary stuff.

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I am glad that in our diocese there are rules for the music that is played at Mass. There are still groups that use the guitar, but at least they do not try to sound like the Beach Boys. And thankfully, there are no rock and roll type of songs.