Painting in the background…
It’s like laying the groundwork to accomplish an intended goal.
When I was first learning to paint in 5th grade, my uncle Jim, who is also an artist, was visiting one day. I was painting a ‘portrait’ of St. Therese, beginning with her eyes. My uncle said, “Usually it is best to begin painting in the background first, and then painting the subject in the foreground.” It was my first lesson in art, and I always think of it as I begin a new painting. It is also a good method to employ in the preparation of any important work; that is, lay the groundwork, build a foundation, fill in the background of a project to support the work at hand, in order to sell the the final proposition, and accomplish the intended goal.
Background music.
I mention this after reflecting upon a couple of emails concerned friends sent to me regarding the upcoming exhibit, Vatican Splendors, at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, Minnesota this September. Although it is not sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, the exhibit is undoubtedly appealing to Roman Catholic faithful, who are sure to attend in great numbers. My friends suspicions were aroused when they noticed on the museums website that the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus would be one of the groups performing in a series of monthly concerts staged throughout the exhibit. One day only, in December. Copy for the event reads:
The TC Gay Men’s Chorus, led by Artistic Director, Dr. Stan Hill. Following the quote “Nation shall not lift sword against Nation, neither shall they learn war any more”-Isaiah 2:4, the Chorus will make an appeal for that most sought after of world condition: Peace. From the rapturous finale of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ inspiring Dona Nobis Pacem (Give us peace), to intimate pleas from the pen of 16th-Century composer Guilio Caccini, they sing of peace’s long-awaited arrival, couched in the garlands of the holidays. From a touching and dramatic rendition of Silent Night, to a heart-stirring arrangement of Oh Holy Night, they hope for and reflect on the possibilities of a world bathed in the sweet rapture of peace. - MNHS
Are the background singers insignificant to the song?
My first reaction was, “It’s a non-event - it is insignificant. The group is one of many to perform for the duration of the exhibit. It is a public business venture, negotiated with the Vatican Museums, in the year 2008 of the Common Era.” Yet one of my friends had a few interesting, if not provocative things to add to the discussion. She first asked, “Is someone at the History Center trying to make a statement of some sort?”
“The mission of Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus is gay men building community through music.” TCGMC
In a separate email, my friend clarified her concerns, writing: “My problem is not with the Choir, I’ve seen them perform before and they are very good. However I know some members are active gay Catholics who advocate the Catholic Church change Her teachings to accommodate homosexual practices and approve of same sex marriage.” My friend believes that the groups appearance in conjunction with the exhibit will be used by gay advocacy - persons or groups - for propaganda purposes. Supposedly the TCGMC had been scheduled in advance of the planned exhibit, but so was the exhibit planned in advance - in all likelihood, further out than the scheduling of entertainment. Hence the implication of political maneuvering may not be that far fetched.
The Archdiocese was informed.
The History Center graciously informed the chancery of the inclusion of the Gay Men’s Chorus in the scheduled events for the run of the exhibit: In other words, the chorus had already been “painted into the background”, and it appears someone with the museum painted the archdiocese into a corner on this one. At any rate, a spokesman for the chancery conceded that since the program was already scheduled, the archdiocese would still support the exhibit. He reasonably offered that the TCGMC is a highly regarded group, while their appearance is ancillary and not part of the exhibit, noting their musical selection is in keeping with the sacred tone of the exhibit.
Catholic Taliban -no, no, no.
I had to agree. The Archdiocese would come off in a manner similar to the Taliban if they protested the TCGMC performance and withdrew its support of this “once in a lifetime event” for local Catholics as well as non-Catholics. The spokesman from the chancery cited the CDF document, “The Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons and Non Discrimination against Homosexual Persons” to support this position. Just the title of the document sums the matter up - as Catholics, we are not to discriminate against homosexual persons.
So, how far do we take that?
I don’t know sometimes. It is a complicated issue, don’t you agree? But the spokesman from the chancery is sending me the document from the CDF regarding pastoral care and non discrimination against homosexual persons. I’ll let you know what I think.
Links:
Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus seeks to provide its members with rewarding musical experiences and to promote social exchange among a group of men with a common purpose. As an organization that celebrates diversity and uses music as a way to transform, educate and heal, TCGMC works towards the elimination of homophobia and intolerance through community outreach. - TCGMC
August 10th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Beginning with the eyes is a good place to begin in any discipline, including the discipline of friendship. That’s what makes online friendship so hard, you cannot begin with what you cannot see.
God grant us wisdom.
Good post, all of it and as an artist I was immediately drawn (no pun intended) to the opening paragraph. Then I found I couldn’t get away from it. Then I understood why. There was a lesson for me in it and I shared that above. ::thrive!
August 10th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
No coincidence! While the Archdiocese cannot change what has been scheduled, they should pull there endorsement of it (I would imagine both organizations would appear together on the brochures). Instead, issue a statement restating the church position (use as a teaching opportunity) and tell Catholics they are free to attend the Vatican exhibit.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Gay men singing *gasp* Tricky sodomites, I say ! Pulling in the youth with their diabolically sweet vocal skills ! And not just on Broadway, but in the heartland !
Re: Taliban - I think a lot of rad trads would get along well with them.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Gerald - LOL! A couple of years ago - before you “came out” you would have jumped on a story like this.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Well thought out, Terry.
The Chancery has been put in an uncomfortable position.
But even though some of the purposes of the TCGMC are against Church teachings, their activities on the day of their performance will not be engaged in anything of that sort.
And being a homosexual is not the sin.
If they performed in speedos, that would be a problem. Maybe for some of them, too.
I passed it on.
August 10th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I just knew it when I opened the comments that the gay thought police would be present to leave their usual Hate Male.
This is the usual gay gotcha agenda, quietly place a gay group on the programme, be it Dignity, a gay choir or something on the schedule, then when the thing goes forward, lo and behold the gays and their supporters are right there making noise. Now the Diocese is in a pickle, pull support and be decried as homophobic, say nothing and appear to give tacit support. It’s the gay gotcha. And the Chancery in their usual statements of plausible deniability well they just don’t know how this happened clucking like court eunuchs.
This is the dirty way gay crybabies have got themselves along in the political sphere, albeit they comprise less than 10 percent of the population.
Sorry, this professional victimhood which seems to be a gay vocation has just gets my goat.
“Baaa!”
Ooops, sorry Billy, ‘they’ do not know where you live, relax it’s just a figure of speech.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Terry, maybe you should try medication, too
…or move to Northern California. One of us! One of us! One of us!
August 11th, 2008 at 9:39 am
What exactly is the purpose of advertising your sexual preferences in the title of your choir? How about The I Like to Have Sex with My Dog Choir? Does it also mean that straight folks can’t join?
I agree with leorufus and I am sick to death of listening to these people glamorize and promote their “lifestyle” while the rest of us sit silently by out of some sort of mistaken sense of “charity”.
August 11th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Minorities tend to have organizations, that’s nothing new. One of the reasons being that the majority shuns them. Whether it was the Irish, Italians, blacks etc. There is no need for a “National Association for the Advancement of White People”. Well, maybe in the South
August 11th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Gerald, did someone drop a HOUSE on your sister?
Does your wife know about this gay passion of yours? It is such a scandal, I feel sorry for her it must be very humiliating to be a woman and witness your husband going gay in such a public manner. Have some respect and do this in a *discreet* manner, think of her feelings too.
August 11th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Gerald,
Do you really buy the concept of sexual orientation as ethnicity?
August 11th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
OK, having actually BEEN to the Vatican Splendors exhibit, I don’t even see that this is an issue…except for the place hosting the different events, which all legitimately fall under the heading of “Arts.” Unless there’s a setup that’s WAY different than the way it was done in Cleveland.
When you get to the Museum, they will have the different artifacts set up in typical museum-style labyrinthine rooms. You will have the option, for $5.00 to purchase the audio tour which you listen to at your control at given numbers posted through the exhibit.
It’s not like the choir is going to be standing throughout the exhibit holding phallic symbols and proselytizing about gay sex.
Besides…what is WITH this “victim mentality” of “Oh, dear, people who claim to like being Gay in a choir are singing once at the same place”? People are making it sound like negative influence is the only thing there IS!? What about the ability of the Faithful to EVANGELIZE?
We as Catholics are not victims! IF there is direct contact with those attending the Exhibit and fans or performers in the concert, well…LIVE JESUS CHRIST!
End of story. That’s the way it’s been with heresy from the beginning of the Church. Why should it be any different now? And NONE of us is currently being asked to shed our blood over this.
The Exhibit is tremendous, I hope to go again while it’s here in St. Paul. The Choir can perform to a brick wall for all I care…this time I’ll probably completely listen to the audio tour, which I didn’t do before in favor of listening to info from a friend with our group who could give parts of the tour on his own. And with opinion! lol
And that’s all I have to say about that. Like it or not, the place is a museum and they can do what they want. The Church doesn’t own the venue. So show up and wear your faith on your sleeve, and make sure you bring hope and charity with you. Nothing defeats evil more than a joyful Catholic.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Gerald didn’t say that being gay is an ethnicity. He said it’s a minority.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
I know this isn’t the point, but I have to speak up in response to the idea that the TCGMC, a supposed haven for these opressed and discriminated-against singers, exists because these folks can’t gain admission to other choirs, for instance, ones not specifying gay in the title. That is just a crock of crap. Having had the privilige to be a part of the choral community here in the the Twin Cities as a singer in both secular and Christian choirs, and maintaining relationships with people (men and women, gay and straight) who are still actively singing and performing, with very few exceptions I can’t even see how this idea would hold water. I even ran it by a good friend I know and went to school with, sang with in a Christian college choir, who sings all over the cities, and is gay (was singing with the TCGMC a few years ago but was looking for more professional gigs so dropped out when paid work developed) and he laughed out loud at the idea and said that his experience has been that being gay has been a positive for getting jobs, and hiring gay singers “looks good,” inclusive, progressive…and helps bring in the money. I am just repeating so am not in a place to argue about it. That is his experience and what he has seen around here. I am sure there are directors who won’t hire someone gay, but I also know that your professionalism (preparation, consistency, reliability, demeanor) often count for as much as the other more obvious atributes such as artistry etc. In other words, if you are drawing attention to yourself, not blending in to the group, it doesn’t work. Sharing and personalizing in the choir can often be viewed as attention seeking behaviors, and it seems that some directors are fearful of knowing too much about their singers and would prefer to see the group as a whole. I think that even being concerned that this could occur might be a disqualifier for some singers. This is just an observation.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Thom -
You’re right - Gerald did say minority, not ethnicity. But we don’t privilege minorities because they are minorities. I mean, a minority of us go bowling on Saturdays.
We pay attention to ethnic minorities, because we understand that the status of ethnicity is an actual identity, not a choice. The label of “gay” is a choice.
I’ll grant that same-sex attractions are not a choice, but the political movement of condoning homosexual behavior is a choice… which is what is implied in the title “gay”. So it’s disingenuous to talk about a gay as a minority group. Just as it would be to talk about weekly bowlers as a minority group. People don’t have to bowl every week, just as they don’t have to engage in homosexual genital acts…
August 12th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Uh, supporting equal rights for gay people doesn’t make me gay, just as supporting equal rights for women doesn’t make me a woman. This should be obvious, one’d think.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
We obviously aren’t playing on the same field, Clayton, and nothing said in a comments box (or indeed a blog!) does much to sway anyone’s firmly helf beliefs, so this really doesn’t need to go any further, no matter how prococative your last response.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Gerald - I think everyone should know by now you are not gay. I believe you and your wife have gay relatives and friends, and the Mrs. works in a profession that claims it is normal - hence the reasoning behind your support, right? many minds and hearts have been changed in the same way.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Thank you for clearing that up Terry, I suppose it is a strange creature the man who takes up the gay cause with such vigor, the man who is not gay.
Say what you will, Gerald, your zeal is over the top, how do they say it these days…”disproportionate response”…one can hardly be faulted for jumping to such conclusions - something about hoofbeats and stripes always makes me think of zebras.