Statement on Seminary Liturgical Music Formation

Strongly aware that the priest as leader of the liturgical assembly must be a person of faith, well disposed and trained to lead the people of God in public prayer, the Conference of Roman Catholic Cathedral Musicians expresses its support, concern and willingness to assist in the seminary formation process. Because the sung liturgy is normative and is vital to the active and engaged participation of the people, the Conference believes that in the formation process the seminarian must receive both academic training and personal experience in the entire spectrum of worship in order to be able to serve the needs of diverse worshipping communities which may later be entrusted to the priest's care.

In the academic curriculum, it is necessary that the seminarian come to understand the role of music in worship, appreciate the great treasury of musical forms which is our heritage, and become well grounded in the documents and spirit of the liturgical renewal.

Conscious that the best learning comes from experience, it is strongly encouraged that seminary worship be broad in nature, of the highest quality, and under the direction of qualified professionals lest the poor quality of the experience close the future presider to the richness of various musical forms.

The seminarian should also have the opportunity of working with professional musicians and liturgists to gain the professional skills needed to fulfill the celebrant's proper role, to gain practical experience in liturgical planning that includes many points of view and varieties of taste, and to gain the interpersonal skills necessary for the contemporary parish structures.

The Conference offers its prayers, support, and any assistance it can provide in the preparation of the future leaders of the Church at prayer.

January, 1991

San Francisco, California