Throughout the 2,000-year history of the Church, countless priests, religious, monastics, and lay people have composed music which serves both the contemplative and celebratory natures of the Holy Liturgy. A Catholic parochial music program ought to revere this tradition within the prescriptions of Papal Encyclicals, the Second Vatican Council and General Instruction of the Roman Missal.

"It must be holy, and must, therefore, exclude all profanity not only in itself, but in the manner  in which it is presented by those who execute it. It must be true art, for otherwise it will be impossible for it to exercise on the minds of those who listen to it that efficacy which the Church aims at obtaining in admitting into her liturgy the art of musical sounds. . . Special efforts are to be made to restore the use of the Gregorian Chant by the people, so that the faithful may again take a more active part in the ecclesiastical offices, as was the case in ancient times."

Tra Le Sollecitudini, Pope Pius X

"The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical service. But other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations, so long as they accord with the spirit of the liturgical action, as laid down in Art."

Sacrosanctum Concilium 116.

"In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things."

Sacrosanctum Concilium 120.

"Above all, the study and practice of Gregorian chant is to be promoted, because, with its special characteristics, it is a basis of great importance for the development of sacred music."

Musicam Sacram 52.