Other articles on our Choir
http://www.gazette.net/stories/031308/hyatnew184618_32359.shtml
http://www.cathstan.org/main.asp?SectionID=34&SubSectionID=128&ArticleID=1624
The Freepers (!) have the song list here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1985940/posts
http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=596&sid=1381947
http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=1374821&nid=25
http://www.gazette.net/stories/032608/potonew201805_32362.shtml
A word from me:
In finding these articles, I ran a cross a lot of comment threads, and they irked me. There's a lot of holier-than-thou Catholics out there making a fuss over the fact that the music isn't entirle pre-1805 composed, and have been slinging all the worst sorts of insults about regarding Tom (our conductor), the archdiocese, and above all, the music selected.
Y'all know I'm an unabashed music snob, and as someone singing all this, let me tell you right here, right now: All those people poo-pooing our music are full of crap! Yes, it is an eclectic mix, but it's a high quality eclectic mix. Music was chosen that could be learned in 7 rehearsals by 250 (well, counting the other choirs, 600) singers (don't forget, a good chunk of that are the children's chorus) who are mostly amateurs. Yes, I guess I can see why people are down on the fact that some of the mass parts are from the Mass of Creation, but since we're trying to get the entire stadium (46,000 ppl) to sing, we have to go with the setting the most people out there already know. Yeah, I'm sad it's not the traditional chant but you know what--tough cookies! Life sucks, deal with it and move on!
So yes, there are some spirituals-- because there were plenty of slaves back in the day who converted. These songs are no less "catholic" than those people or theoir decendants. Yes, there are contemporary songs and arrangments. Yes, there's more English than Latin. But, as the Mass is not planned to be a TLM. . . what's the problem? What wrong with singing in a language the majority of the assembled congregation will understand? Yeah, I wish I knew Latin, and it would be great if all Catholics were as fluent as they once were, but they're not. Again, life sucks, move on.
People so need to get a life. Criminey.