What makes a good liturgical singer a "good liturgical singer?"
A good liturgical singer/cantor sings in a manner that encourages and invites the assembly to sing along with them.
I was out one night last week for a walk and I had my ipod with me. I put it on shuffle and two Chris Tomlin songs came on in a row. They were songs I didn't really know well at all, but as I listened I just wanted to sing along. There is something about Chris Tomlin's singing that is inviting and makes you want to join in the song. It seems so...I don't know...honest and genuine, and approachable. He sounds like the guy next door picked up a guitar and started singing. I believe that is a huge reason he is so successful. (Not to mention that his songs are always so good.) Is your singing approachable, encouraging, and inviting? Or is it too soloistic and difficult to sing along to?
I think a good liturgical singer/cantor knows their style well and can perform it effectively.
If you are singing more traditional sounding music, sing it in that style. Listen to good, solid recordings and try to imitate them. (Lori True/GIA is a fine example.) Use the right tone with the correct diction. Be sure your voice fits the music you are leading.
In the same way, if you are singing more contemporary music, be sure you are singing it in that style. Use much less vibrato! (perhaps it's easier to say "less operatic!" ) Don't sing it like you are working on a song for a voice lesson, accenting every "t" and "s" so that you can be heard in the back of the concert hall...no, please. Again, listen to tried and true recordings of good contemporary liturgical singers. Guys, listen to Josh Blakesley & Tom Booth/spiritandsong.com. They are both so different yet so effective as song leaders. Ladies, listen to Karen Bolduc (WLP) or Jackie Francois (spiritandsong.com). Great style and great tone for contemporary music. There are many, many others.
A music degree does not a great singer make, but rather an inviting voice and spirit.
Yes, absoultely, a LOT can be learned by studying music and taking singing lessons, but there is so much more to singing than knowing theory and learning to sing Caro Mio Ben. The honest question: is your voice pleasing to the assembly...not incredible...but pleasing, inviting? When people watch you sing are they inspired or bored? You don't need to be a trained, classical singer to lead hymns and songs. You just need to sound good and know your music. You need to know your music and encourage the assembly to sing...through your voice and your whole being.
I have been a musician at Mass for 11 years. Most of that time was on drums, but I also played other instruments where needed. Recently, our group needed a male voice out front so, we found another drummer and I moved to guitar and vocals for most Sundays.
ReplyDeleteI am not a great singer - decent and on key for almost all of the notes, but not great. The drummer we are using is a great drummer, but isn't a prayerful guy (I was hoping to be able to minister to him in this position, but for various reasons he will be leaving us as soon as we can find someone else), and therefore he isn't adding any prayerfulness to the music and detracts from it sometimes.
The key, I have found, is to find competent musicians who are strong in their faith. Training them to show how to be effective at Mass is much more reliable than waiting for a Matt Maher to answer your call for a backup guitar player.
Agreed.
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