An Invigorating Day with Chris O’Hara

Many of us know that the subject of music in the liturgy can arouse much heated discussion and require tactful diplomacy to arrive at decisions catering for a wide range of needs and tastes. But, although “you can’t please all of the people all of the time”, Chris O’Hara certainly managed to please those who spent a day making music with him on 18 September. About fifty people of all ages gathered at St. Wilfrid’s School, Crawley to explore some new music, mainly written by Chris., himself ... and what a feast – varied, delightful and refreshing, something for everyone.

In a lively yet relaxed style, and sprinkling his introductions with anecdotes, Chris shared songs of various styles written for many different groups and occasions: psalms, Mass settings, scripture based songs, traditional words set to new tunes, specific liturgies, a wedding, first communion and including a beautifully simple ‘Exsultet’, which the congregation can join in.

All the music was accessible and enjoyable to sing, with enchanting melodies and often a strong sense of rhythm, in styles ranging from latin-american, gospel and folk song to traditional hymns and prayerful chants. They are designed so that congregations can easily join in and enter into the spirit of quiet reflection or joyful praise. And you don’t have to be a brilliant singer or musician to enjoy them. Using rounds and quite simple harmonies, we were able to create a most beautiful sound. On top of that, for some songs, instrumentalists were encouraged to improvise and singers to add in harmonies, to amazingly good effect. We didn’t know we could do it!

It was all great fun and finished all too soon with a short but very prayerful liturgy. As we sang the words of St. Sebastian,

You are the mystery that walks beside us,

You are as near as the air we breathe

our music was like God’s “language beyond all words” and we listened to his music in

the silence of our hearts.

If you missed this day, you can still hear Chris’s music on one of his CDs ‘In this place’ or ‘ Streams in the desert’, available from DABCEC Bookshop or Viewpoint Resources Direct. Why not encourage your parish musicians to try some of his songs? It may help with the ‘Mass is boring’ brigade or at least inspire the regulars and enliven your celebrations as the family of God.