LITURGY CORNER Liturgical Furnishings: Music Risers

You may have noticed some changes in our music area over the past few weeks as we prepare for the installation of new choir risers. These improvements will provide a safer, more functional space for our musicians while better supporting their participation in the liturgy.



Our previous risers served us well, but their shallow steps made moving around difficult and sometimes unsafe. They were also somewhat angled toward the congregation rather than the altar, making it harder for musicians to see the projection and participate fully in Mass. The new risers will address these concerns while accommodating more singers, an increasingly important need as our school choir continues to grow and as we gather larger ensembles for Christmas, Easter, and other celebrations.

There is also an important liturgical reason for the new arrangement. Our musicians will now face more directly toward the altar, reflecting the purpose of their ministry. The choir and instrumentalists are not performers presenting music to an audience. They are members of the worshiping assembly who help lead and support the congregation's song, directing own praise and attention toward God.

Throughout the Church's history, choirs have occupied various locations, from spaces near the sanctuary to the familiar choir lofts at the rear of churches. The liturgical renewal of the Second Vatican Council emphasized the full, conscious, and active participation of the entire assembly. While the Council did not require choirs to move to the front, subsequent liturgical guidance encourages placing musicians where their role as part of the worshiping community is evident and where they can effectively exercise their ministry.

Those who remember our former church may recall that space for musicians was quite limited, sometimes requiring singers to stand in the sanctuary for major celebrations. We are fortunate to have a dedicated music area today, and these improvements will help it serve our growing ministry even better.

I have been reluctant to expand the music area at the expense of potential seating, particularly given the crowding at some celebrations and weekly at our 1:00pm Spanish Mass. However, the seats in front of the music area have remained largely unused despite our efforts to encourage people to sit there. The new arrangement will still allow additional seating alongside the risers, and parishioners are always welcome to sit in the music area when needed. You might even find yourself singing with the choir!

We will continue making small adjustments, including additional electrical outlets to reduce cords in walking areas and a monitor to help musicians, especially children, see the projected texts more easily.

These improvements have been made possible through the generosity of a parish family, to whom we are especially grateful. Ultimately, our goal is not simply to create more room for musicians, but to help them better serve the prayer of the entire assembly. Whether singing from the risers or the pews, we are all joining our voices in praise of God.