The value of good liturgical music

Abstract

It is disturbing that in recent times, the worshiping community in the capacity of some church ministers, composers and musicians have deviated from the specifications of liturgical music even as recommended by Vatican Council II (The Constitution of The Sacred Liturgy). Also misunderstood and misappropriated is the idea of inculturation that permits composers in different countries to write music using the language of the locality as well as the indigenous instruments. This is partly due to inadequate enlightenment and training on the part of the liturgical music practitioners on the real meaning of liturgical music. A lot ofproblems have come up from these misconceptions and misinterpretations which include but a few making noise in place of music, negligence of the core features of liturgical music ranging from little or no attention to the solemn nature of the liturgy to relevance for some unimaginable selfish interests. In remedying these challenges, the researcher has made lots of recommendations. One of them is that the practitioners of liturgical music be exposed through seminars and workshops to relevant church documents on liturgical music from time to time. It is necessary and most pertinent that the church retains its solemnity in worship as against the recent mediocrity which has come to envelop the liturgical music making practices. The great value of good liturgical music needs to be sustained. Keywords: Liturgical Music, Gregorian Chant, Sacred Polyphony, Instrumental Music, Catholic Church, Liturgical Musician, Choir, Congregation