Question & Answer Forum

Do you have a question related to the music ministry which you'd like to ask your fellow music ministers?
Have you tried something new that worked well, and would you like to share it with others?

Send us an email and we'll post your questions and comments on this page.

What is the typical vocal range of a congregation?
A comfortable vocal range for a congregation is typically middle C to the next octave C (approximately, tenor to alto range). Congregational singing is likely to be strongest from F to C. To encourage participation from the congregation, it is recommended to transpose hymns within this range as much as possible.
I am a cantor at a local parish, and have been consistently using the Celtic Alleluia with the congregation; the people now know the refrain so well and participate so fully that I am actually able to sing the descant with the congregation harmonizing!
Thank you for your comment. We invite more submissions of new ideas and lessons learned in the music ministry for posting on this FAQ.
Could the ALM provide a music planner as a resource to its members?
There are a variety of music planners available from publishers, and on-line. See the Music Planning page in the Resources section of this site for links to this information.
I understand that during the psalm, it is most appropriate for a cantor to sing the verses while the congregation joins in for the refrain. Is this also true for a sequence, such as the Easter Sequence or the Pentecost Sequence?
In contrast to the psalm, the congregation should be encouraged to participate in singing both the refrain and the verses of a Sequence.
On a specific feast day, for example Baptism of the Lord, or, Triumph of the Cross, is it required to select hymns that strictly relate to the theme of the feast day, or can they still be selected based on other themes that might be presented in the readings or homily?
As in Ordinary time, hymns on special feast days should be carefully selected to correspond as best as possible to the spirit of the mass. While some hymns may be chosen to match a particular feast, it is also appropriate for other hymns to respond to reflections presented in the readings or homily.
Is it recommended to sing the "Our Father" at a regular Sunday mass?
The answer to this question is a matter of taste to the particular parish. However, it should be considered that the "Our Father" was taught to us by Christ as a universal prayer. Therefore, this particular prayer in the liturgy should be accessible to the entire congregation, and everyone may not feel comfortable with singing it.
I'm wondering if you could tell me what the going hourly rate is for paid Choir Directors (for rehearsals, preparation time and liturgies) and for soloists and musicians at weddings and funerals, etc.
This is a sensitive question, and unfortunately to date there is no standard rule of remuneration with the music ministry in the Archdiocese. The best resources to refer to at present are those listed on the Standards & Guidelines page of the Resources section of this site.
Is a resource like the ALM also available in the French Sector of the Archdiocese of Ottawa?
At present, the ALM is primarily an English Sector operation. We would welcome parallel efforts from the French Sector, and could use the opportunity to share resources and ideas. Our annual St. Cecilia celebration is a bilingual one, intended as an extension of this welcome. We would invite anyone interested in shaping music ministry resources for the French Sector to contact us.
During which seasons of the year do you sing (a) the Gloria, and (b) the Alleluia?
The Gloria is sung throughout the liturgical year except during Advent and Lent. The Alleluia is sung as the Gospel Acclamation throughout the liturgical year except during Lent; at this time, an alternative refrain is used.