Choir in the Pews: Embracing the Joy of Song and Supporting Active Participation in the Mass

Throughout our collective history as a Church, music has always been an important part of our worship. As Bishop Robert Barron says, “The Mass is not a lecture or performance that we witness from a distance. That is why we are called to full, active, conscious participation in the Mass.” Participating in the Mass through music brings us together in harmony both with one another and with the triune God. Here at Our Lady of the Assumption, a new ministry called Choir in the Pews works to encourage and support active participation in the Mass through song.

“From King David singing psalms to Christ singing hymns with His disciples to the beauty of Gregorian chant, to the resounding four-part harmonies of traditional hymns, to the contemporary songs we commonly hear today, the Church has a robust musical history and tradition,” says Music Director Casey Oliver. “Although I have been wanting to begin a ministry like this for years, it was the pandemic that made it clear to me that this had to be my top priority moving forward.”

As Casey notes, singing alone at Mass at the beginning of the pandemic was difficult. “When the assembly was finally allowed to sing at Mass again, and when we all sang the ‘Alleluia’ together again for the first time, it was such a profound experience for me,” she says. “The pandemic shed a bright light on something I have observed for years, which is a gap of sorts that can exist between the Music Ministry and the assembly.”

One of the ways the Music Ministry tries to combat this “gap” is by including a variety of styles of liturgical music during the Mass to appeal to as many as possible in our diverse parish community. Beautiful music creates an experience that can bring people together from all walks of life, and when music brings people together in worship, it is a transcendent experience.

“My most memorable and profound prayer experience while singing during Mass took place while singing the ‘Holy’ during the Eucharistic Prayer,” Casey says. “I was the music director at a new parish in Henderson, Nev., and we initially met for Mass in a simple school gym. The last note of the ‘Holy’ resonated in a sacred way, even though we were in a gymnasium, because it was me, along with the choir, along with the assembly — it was all of us together filling that space with the voices God gave us.

“Light was shining brightly through the window on all of us, and the physical vibration of everyone singing in that room together made me truly feel like we were part of the ‘choir of angels,’” she adds. “When you fill a worship space with the sound of all the voices there singing as one, and the space resonates, it is like an experience of heaven on earth. You hear it and feel it. I will never forget it. I aim to always strive for that, even now.”

Singing at Mass also is a wonderful way to evangelize our fellow parishioners in the congregation.

“The focus during the liturgy is the Lord, and if during our praise and worship, we are surrounded by voices singing His praises, it is easier to freely participate without worrying about standing out or singing a wrong note,” Casey says. “Singing becomes an automatic and outward expression of worship when you don’t have to overthink it or worry about being the only one around you singing.”

This is the goal of the Choir in the Pews ministry — to have prepared singers in the pews who are willing to sing out during Mass and other prayer services to support and encourage the singing of others.

“The ministry is open to all ability levels and includes a 20-minute weekly online musician prayer service and support materials for all who participate,” Casey says. “Members of Choir in the Pews are especially encouraged to give input regarding song selection for Masses and to discuss other issues that may be impacting musical participation.”

Ultimately, we are all called to participate in the Mass to the best of our ability, and Choir in the Pews hopes to help guide and support people wherever their comfort level may be.

“I understand very well that there are a variety of things that can impact a person’s physical ability to sing, including voice disorders, chronic respiratory conditions, allergies, reflux, fatigue, or even just emotional and physical well-being — singing while wearing a face mask can also be especially challenging,” Casey says. “We want to provide the maximum amount of support to help each individual participate in singing to the best of his or her ability and desire.”

Casey also points out that each person’s individual approach to singing and experiencing the music at Mass is unique, as well.

“Some people participate by listening and contemplating the lyrics of a song,” she says. “Some people may only sing the ‘Alleluia,’ or nothing at all. This is all okay, too. Our desire and ability to sing at Mass can fluctuate. We don’t measure the assembly’s participation by decibel level. We want to facilitate the participation of the assembly by providing as much practical support as we can, and then by allowing the liturgy and the Holy Spirit to work in people’s hearts.”

“Being generous with your musical gifts, wherever you are in the church, is a very meaningful and powerful way to share musical talent and to support others who may be less confident,” Casey adds. “Of course, we want talented musicians helping lead the music from the music area to provide a foundation for everyone’s participation, but there is almost a greater need for that leadership in the assembly. For musicians who have been interested in participating in music ministry, but haven’t been able to do so in a formal way, the Choir in the Pews Ministry is the perfect opportunity!”

Parishioner Raul Baeza sings all of the songs in the pews every weekend at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass.

If you would like more information about Choir in the Pews, please contact Casey Oliver at 916-481-5115 or worship@olaparish.net.

Music Ministry members David Cuny, Tracy Fernandez, Patti Phillips, and Casey Oliver lead the music at the Sunday 11:00 am Mass.