Contemporary Catholic music
Encyclopedia
Contemporary Catholic music is a subset of Contemporary Christian music
. Since Vatican Council II Catholic music has become more open to popular influences and influences from other Christian denominations. In the 1970s Mary Lou Williams
began doing Catholic themed jazz, including a jazz mass. Later artists have mixed in rock, pop, or even hip hop
to Catholic themed music. One of the most common types of Catholic-influenced music is Celtic music
due to the history of early Ireland
.
The changes in music since the council have caused some degree of criticism. Traditionalist Catholic
s tend to argue that secular and Protestant influences in Catholic music must be avoided. They are especially critical of Oregon Catholic Press
. Conservative, but non-Traditionalists, forces are less hostile but do fear that the artists risk becoming CCM performers with nothing distinctly Catholic to distinguish them.
A grassroots movement of independent Catholic artists has sprung up over the last ten years. These artists are musical missionaries whose goal is to minister through their music. The music of this movement is what is known as Para-liturgical, meaning that it is not written for nor necessarily suitable for liturgy. It is rather, produced to extend the experience of the mass throughout the week, and to foster a greater love and devotion to the Trinitarian God.
Most of these artists operate without the benefit of a record label or major sponsor and sacrifice much to minister and entertain with their music. Some are in full-time ministry, but most are juggling jobs and family to do their ministry.
Musicians in this genre include Sarah Holthusen, Critical Mass, Dana
, Nick Alexander, Fr. Stan Fortuna and John Michael Talbot
. Recent newcomers include Oremus Catholic Rock, Katholicus, and Deacon Chuck Stevens.
Ten years ago Talbot formed a professional and spiritual organization for these artists known as the Catholic Association of Music (CAM). It is an offshoot of his order, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. CAM exists to support these para-liturgical artists and to foster fellowship and deeper spiritual growth while cultivating the artistry of their music. Practical music business tips are also offered.
Another organization was formed out of Heartbeat Records, a long supporter of Catholic music. This organization, the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA) recognizes excellence in Catholic music each year with their Unity Awards presentation.
A fledgling Catholic Music Media, United Catholic Music Media (UCMM) has grown in the past couple of years. The grassroots movement also includes radio Sacred Heart Radio(Catholic Music 24/7),
online magazines GrapeVine, Catholic Music Zine, Lolek and DesafioMagazine, as well as Catholic podcasts Catholic Rockers, Catholic Praise Cast, GrapeVineNewsMinute,Catholic Music Express and TotalCatholicPodCasts.
Much of the controversy over Contemporary Catholic music has rested on questioning the suitability and reverence of Contemporary music for use during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Recent developments include distinguishing between the Catholic music used for entertainment (and for evangelization), and the music deemed suitable for use during the Sacred Liturgy. Proponents of this view (including Oremus Catholic Rock and Katholicus) condone the use of Contemporary Catholic music for entertainment, motivation, youth rallies, etc., while reserving liturgically oriented and traditional Catholic music (i.e., "sacred music") for the Holy Mass. Oremus quotes Pope John Paul II, who said that if the Church holds back from culture, the Gospel itself will fall silent.
A third category distinct from the two just mentioned would be the para-liturgical prayer and praise category. Charismatic prayer and praise meetings and youth conferences and praise rallies are among the places such contemporary Catholic music would be used. Within this category appeared what would be considered the recent phenomenon known as rock praise music. The pioneer of Catholic rock praise music was the RPM (Rock Praise Music) Ministry begun back in 1991. RPM was a monthly rock praise meeting outreach by the Mother of God charismatic community to youth just outside the Washington D. C. area in Maryland. Under the musical leadership of Adam Miller (now with Katholicus) original rock praise music was used in a way to make prayer for youth take on a lively new meaning, which in turn helped them to be more open to know, love, and serve the Lord. RPM released a successful 13 song cassette tape and songbook of original rock praise music in 1993.
Many composers have contributed to the distinct sound of contemporary Catholic liturgical music, including Marty Haugen
, Dan Schutte
, and the St. Louis Jesuits
. For more details, see Contemporary Catholic liturgical music
.
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
. Since Vatican Council II Catholic music has become more open to popular influences and influences from other Christian denominations. In the 1970s Mary Lou Williams
Mary Lou Williams
Mary Lou Williams was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Williams wrote hundreds of compositions and arrangements, and recorded more than one hundred records...
began doing Catholic themed jazz, including a jazz mass. Later artists have mixed in rock, pop, or even hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
to Catholic themed music. One of the most common types of Catholic-influenced music is Celtic music
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
due to the history of early Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
The changes in music since the council have caused some degree of criticism. Traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholic
Traditionalist Catholics are Roman Catholics who believe that there should be a restoration of many or all of the liturgical forms, public and private devotions and presentations of Catholic teachings which prevailed in the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council...
s tend to argue that secular and Protestant influences in Catholic music must be avoided. They are especially critical of Oregon Catholic Press
Oregon Catholic Press
OCP is an American liturgical publisher based in Portland, Oregon. The not-for-profit company publishes liturgical music, books, choral collections, hymnals, missals, and support materials for the Catholic Church...
. Conservative, but non-Traditionalists, forces are less hostile but do fear that the artists risk becoming CCM performers with nothing distinctly Catholic to distinguish them.
A grassroots movement of independent Catholic artists has sprung up over the last ten years. These artists are musical missionaries whose goal is to minister through their music. The music of this movement is what is known as Para-liturgical, meaning that it is not written for nor necessarily suitable for liturgy. It is rather, produced to extend the experience of the mass throughout the week, and to foster a greater love and devotion to the Trinitarian God.
Most of these artists operate without the benefit of a record label or major sponsor and sacrifice much to minister and entertain with their music. Some are in full-time ministry, but most are juggling jobs and family to do their ministry.
Musicians in this genre include Sarah Holthusen, Critical Mass, Dana
Dana Rosemary Scallon
Dana Rosemary Scallon , known in her singing career simply as Dana, is an Irish singer and former Member of the European Parliament ....
, Nick Alexander, Fr. Stan Fortuna and John Michael Talbot
John Michael Talbot
John Michael Talbot is an American Roman Catholic singer-songwriter-guitarist who is founder of a monastic community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.-Biography:...
. Recent newcomers include Oremus Catholic Rock, Katholicus, and Deacon Chuck Stevens.
Ten years ago Talbot formed a professional and spiritual organization for these artists known as the Catholic Association of Music (CAM). It is an offshoot of his order, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. CAM exists to support these para-liturgical artists and to foster fellowship and deeper spiritual growth while cultivating the artistry of their music. Practical music business tips are also offered.
Another organization was formed out of Heartbeat Records, a long supporter of Catholic music. This organization, the United Catholic Music and Video Association (UCMVA) recognizes excellence in Catholic music each year with their Unity Awards presentation.
A fledgling Catholic Music Media, United Catholic Music Media (UCMM) has grown in the past couple of years. The grassroots movement also includes radio Sacred Heart Radio(Catholic Music 24/7),
online magazines GrapeVine, Catholic Music Zine, Lolek and DesafioMagazine, as well as Catholic podcasts Catholic Rockers, Catholic Praise Cast, GrapeVineNewsMinute,Catholic Music Express and TotalCatholicPodCasts.
Much of the controversy over Contemporary Catholic music has rested on questioning the suitability and reverence of Contemporary music for use during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Recent developments include distinguishing between the Catholic music used for entertainment (and for evangelization), and the music deemed suitable for use during the Sacred Liturgy. Proponents of this view (including Oremus Catholic Rock and Katholicus) condone the use of Contemporary Catholic music for entertainment, motivation, youth rallies, etc., while reserving liturgically oriented and traditional Catholic music (i.e., "sacred music") for the Holy Mass. Oremus quotes Pope John Paul II, who said that if the Church holds back from culture, the Gospel itself will fall silent.
A third category distinct from the two just mentioned would be the para-liturgical prayer and praise category. Charismatic prayer and praise meetings and youth conferences and praise rallies are among the places such contemporary Catholic music would be used. Within this category appeared what would be considered the recent phenomenon known as rock praise music. The pioneer of Catholic rock praise music was the RPM (Rock Praise Music) Ministry begun back in 1991. RPM was a monthly rock praise meeting outreach by the Mother of God charismatic community to youth just outside the Washington D. C. area in Maryland. Under the musical leadership of Adam Miller (now with Katholicus) original rock praise music was used in a way to make prayer for youth take on a lively new meaning, which in turn helped them to be more open to know, love, and serve the Lord. RPM released a successful 13 song cassette tape and songbook of original rock praise music in 1993.
Liturgical music
- Main article: Contemporary Catholic liturgical musicContemporary Catholic liturgical musicContemporary Catholic liturgical music encompasses a comprehensive number of styles of music for Catholic liturgy that grew both before and after the reforms of Vatican II...
Many composers have contributed to the distinct sound of contemporary Catholic liturgical music, including Marty Haugen
Marty Haugen
Marty Haugen, , is an American composer of liturgical music.-Biography:Marty Haugen was raised in the American Lutheran Church in Minnesota, and also writes contemporary hymns and liturgies for the Lutheran church despite being a member the United Church of Christ...
, Dan Schutte
Dan Schutte
Daniel L. Schutte is an American composer of Catholic liturgical music and a contemporary Christian songwriter best known for composing the hymn Here I Am, Lord .-Biography:...
, and the St. Louis Jesuits
St. Louis Jesuits
The St. Louis Jesuits, a group of Catholic composers who popularized a contemporary style of church music through their compositions and recordings in the 1970s and 1980s. The group, made up of Jesuit seminarians at St...
. For more details, see Contemporary Catholic liturgical music
Contemporary Catholic liturgical music
Contemporary Catholic liturgical music encompasses a comprehensive number of styles of music for Catholic liturgy that grew both before and after the reforms of Vatican II...
.
See also
- Contemporary Catholic liturgical musicContemporary Catholic liturgical musicContemporary Catholic liturgical music encompasses a comprehensive number of styles of music for Catholic liturgy that grew both before and after the reforms of Vatican II...
- List of Roman Catholic Church musicians