The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-08-22
NEW RULES FOR
MUSIC IN CHURCHES
Catholics to Have eregorian Chant
by Big Choirs After Oct. 1.

The new regulations regarding
church music as promulgated in the re-
cent decree of the Pope Will go into
effect i'm the archdiocese of Boston on
Oct. / next. and this viii result in many
changes i'm the musical service of the
Catholic churches of Greater Boston.
Briefly, the new regulations mean
that the churches will have to cultivate
the GregOrian chant. and that women
will not sing in the church choirs.
Most of the churches will organize
sanctuary choirs TO meet with the reg
uIations Of the church. The Church Of
the Immaculate Conception, Harrison
avenue is at present taking steps to
form a large sanctuary choir which
will render the new music in its. most
complete details.
The Cathedral Of the Hody Cross has
had sanctuary choir for some time.
hut the music viii have TO be changed
ts conform to the new rules.
According to the new regulations,
singers i'm the church haze a real litur-
zicaI Office and therefore women as
being incapable of exercising that Of
fee cannot be admitted to form a part
Of the choir. Whenever. then. it is de-
sired to employ the high voices of So
pranos and contraltos, these parts must
most ancient usage of the church. Here
are some Of the regulations as sum-
married. by the church music commits
sion Of the archdiocese:
The CregOrian chant is to have the
place Of honor in liturgical functions.
This is especially applicable to the pro-
pris Of the mass and the vespers
During liturgical services such as
high mass and vespers, It is not lawful
% sing anything in the vernacular. The
rendering Of Vernacular hymns at fu-
neral services. even after the celebrant
has retired TO the sacristy, is hence
forth forbidden.
After Oct. l. 1908, it is not allowed
70 make use in any liturgical service of
compositions not approved by the mu-
sic commission of this archdiocese.
Even in not-liturgical services. the
hymns adopted should be Catholic in
authorship and thoroughly religious,
with nothing Of trivial, theatrical or
secular character.
Adaptations of secular music to sa-
cred words for use in the church are
forbidden
Every effort is to be made by pas
tors and choir masters to secure the
dignfed religious and devotional rem
dering Of the music Of the church. For
ihiS end. sanctuary chOirs are to be or
ganized as soon as practicable consist
'ng Of boys alone, Of boys and men or
Of men alone
For The training Of these sanctuary
cheirS. competent instructors should be |
engaged who viii be able TO impart a /
correct tone production and smooth |
and artistic expression Of the musical
IDEAS The shouting and rough tones
heard in imperfectly trained choir boys /
are 70 be carefully eliminated.
Pastors are enjoined 10 make earn |
est efforts to encourage and foster con- |
gregationaI singing. Even at high mass
j is desirab bic that the people should |
JON in the common responses and that |
laey should learn to chant a simple
Tfeg0rian CredO. the solemn profession |
q. faith The ordinary benediction |
ymns should be sung by them, and at |
.'W masses and popular services. such |
the Lenten, May and October deVo-
IONS NOvenas. etc, congregational
ng.ng in the vernacular and in Latin,
Is nose desira BILE and not difficult Of
"nmplishment
In at parish schools and academies
graded course Of church music should
introduced without delay, including
one of its chief elements the prin-
pile Of plain chant.