Church music

Our church is trying to upgrade its musical experience. A survey was done, and the congregation rated its own singing as the biggest problem. Feedback is sought.

I'm trying to get my thoughts in order, but I'm hampered by a lack of broad experience in liturgical music. However...

I've noticed that a lot of the selected songs are early 20th century, and they sound like it. Weird chromaticisms... just because. Big leaps of a sixth or more... just because. Well, probably not "just because," but it was that same era that saw the birth of free verse and modern art. All the old rules were being broken to see what new art could be done. That's wonderful and insightful but often not very accessible.

( More about art and accessibility behind the cut. )