Unit Seven: Liturgical Music
1. Theology of Celebration
(N.B. This may duplicate material in earlier units but would be appropriate if this
unit is studied on its own.)
•	The Christian assembly
•	Authentic participation, outward and inward
•	love needs signs of expression
•	Good and bad celebrations, and faith
•	personal involvement
(Background: Music in Catholic Worship (USCC 1972, §§1-9))
Music and Time: the anthropological view; the physical effects of music 
Music and Mood: its 'bridge' function; creation of appropriate conditions
2. Theology of Music in Liturgy
1. Music and Word (SC112): music is INTEGRAL
2. Music and Rite: music is Servant of rite, has a munus ministeriale (SC 112)
(a) Musical Judgement (MCW 26-29)	FORM:
•	deals with: Style versus Value	models
	literary forms
(b) Liturgical Judgement (MCW 30-38);	FUNCTION:
•	deals with: Structure/flow/balance	GIRM, MPM,
•	text: does music enhance it?	MCW 4274
•	the roles of the ministers
(c) Pastoral Judgement	SIGNIFICATION
•	deals with: usefulness to this community
•	an expression of faith
TERMINOLOGY: Religious/Sacred/Liturgical music 	FUNCTIONING
correct term is Ritual music	what works or does not
	how music is perceived
	by participants
3. Music and Community
•	the ecclesial dimension; music builds up, bonds 
•	pastoral planning and preparation (MCW 10-22) 
•	Priorities
2. Theology of Ministry
(N.B. this refers specifically to the musical ministries)
1. Ministry as Relationship
Leadership	~	Service
•	dominance	mutual relations:
volunteerism 
discernment of gifts 
Justice/recognition
2. Liturgical Music Ministries
The Assembly	Song leader
The Presider	Choir
Deacons 	Instrumentalist 
Cantor 	Composer
3. Ministry as Prayer
The Spirituality of Ministers of Music
Prayer through ministry ('too busy to pray'?)
‘Surrender': helping alienated musicians to return to involvement
Bibliography and Documentation
Constitution on the Liturgy Ch. 6
General Instruction on the Roman Missal, esp. para 19
Music in the Mass. Bishops' Conference of England and Wales Church Committee leaflet. 1987
Virgil C. Funk (ed) Music in Catholic Worship: The NPM Commentary Washington. Pastoral Press. 1983
Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, Liturgical Music Today Washington: United States Catholic Conference, 1982