To Hear and To Do

Several recent conversations, some in person, some online, have gotten me thinking and then clarifying a very broad taste in music. And not just music, but for this post, I'll limit my comments to a musical metaphor.

Someone commented that his taste in music was very narrow, limited to a single musical style; thus, he knows that style and the names and titles very well, but all he knows about other styles, performers, and groups, is that, since they're outside "his" style, he doesn't care for, nor expose himself to their "sound."

I've often said that in my house, on any given morning, one might hear Mozart, Bach, Handel, Dolly Parton, Kathy Mattea, the Beatles, the Eagles, Chant (in any of several languages, including Latin and Russian), and/or several dozen other possibles.

While my friend might be said to have musical taste "one inch wide, but a mile deep" could it be said of me that my tase is "a mile wide, but an inch deep"? On reflection, I think not. Here's why.

My friend is "stuck" with one specific "style" of music, and--good or bad--it's all he will voluntarily listen to. He listens to the "style" and compromises on "quality." I realized that what I want from the time I spend listening is to listen for the quality, no matter what the style happens to be. It doesn't matter if the medium is classical, C&W, R&B, Jazz, R&R, gospel, or what, but the singers and players need to be excellent in performing and interpreting the musical work they're presenting.

This is what I also hope for the Sunday Liturgy, that what I/we offer to God is done as Gabe Huck would say, "with style and grace," and also, with passion. There are musical styles I prefer and there are liturgical styles I prefer, but leading, participating, or observing, the more important standard should be the quality of our effort, rather than the style we choose to express it. For this I always pray.