I've been asked to assist with the music for an EF Mass being offered at our parish at the request of the local Juventutem group. I'm very excited about it, and am working with several people to coordinate a schola from their membership to assist in the singing Propers so that I'm not doing it all as a solo cantor.
They have limited members available to chant (only two or three women and I'm unclear as to how many men), and it has been suggested that the men and women combine to chant the Propers, rather than alternating between them (men on Introit, women on Offertory, etc.).
While I understand that performance practice dictates that chant is intended for like voices rather than unison voices, and my initial reaction was to respond in keeping with this custom, is it never the less permissible to combine men's and women's voices in this manner?
I don't wish to appear uncooperative with them, but I also don't want to make provisions where they're not permitted either by rubrics or liturgical legislation.
They have limited members available to chant (only two or three women and I'm unclear as to how many men), and it has been suggested that the men and women combine to chant the Propers, rather than alternating between them (men on Introit, women on Offertory, etc.).
While I understand that performance practice dictates that chant is intended for like voices rather than unison voices, and my initial reaction was to respond in keeping with this custom, is it never the less permissible to combine men's and women's voices in this manner?
I don't wish to appear uncooperative with them, but I also don't want to make provisions where they're not permitted either by rubrics or liturgical legislation.