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My Experience with Taize

I was introduced to Taize music while serving at the church where I went to college. The only Catholic church in this college community, it was a great opportunity to learn much from this dynamic Catholic group.

We used Taize during group worship, during adoration hours with our women’s group, and during a choir practice for warmups and unity. It was an amazing experience. I can’t really explain it unless you are part of it.

I will try to outline why my short experience made a lot of impact on my life.

Simple Music – Big Impacts

Taize is simply short phrases of meaningful words. Repeated over and over, singers have the option to stick to melody, though adding parts each time is much more impactful. Since the words are repeated, the chance for meditation and meaning from the words is greater.

It can be as short as “sing praises all you people” or as long as “stay with me, remain here with me, watch and pray, watch and pray”. Either way, the repetitive song is very simple yet effective in a somber or joyful setting. I see it as the heart crying out to God in joy or in sorrow. It has a huge impact on your heart if you let it.

Some simple ways you can utilize Taize in your music ministry:

• Choir bonding time – prayerful practicing and warmups
• Use in other Church ministries – if the songs and melody are simple, anyone can catch on
• Create a Taize group – sing just for prayer and worship time or use during a Bible study.
• Find selections that are appropriate for certain special Masses throughout the year – We sang “Stay with Me” one year for the end of the Holy Thursday service. Video below.
• Individually – for during adoration hour, at home with your family, or for your daily prayer time with Jesus.

Where you can get Taize

You can go directly to the Taize website for resources, track recordings, and sheet music.

Taize: Songs for Prayer can be found on Amazon in both instrumental* and choir editions*.

Examples of Taize music

Thought I have given you some ideas of where to get and how to use Taize, I just want you to revel in the beauty of it before you decide you might want to use it in your parish.

Some great examples of what is possible:

• Holy Spirit Come to Us – great meditative piece
• Sing Praises All You People
• Ubi Caritas – love this song in all of it’s forms
• Jesus, Remember Me – one you might be familiar with, but may not know its origins as Taize
• Alleluia – with various verses, this setting is majestic and breathtaking
• Kyrie Eleison – could perhaps be used for a Mass setting?
• The Kingdom of God

There are so many great settings and texts that could work for you and your ministry. Most of them can be simplified for even the most amateur of singers and choirs.

However, the beauty of Taize also comes from being able to add parts, instrumentation, and interest for a more complicated arrangement. I know some directors enjoy the challenge, while others don’t have time to hash out all the details.

Related Articles: 

• 7 Surprising Things About Cantoring You Don’t Know
• Cantor’s Capsule Wardrobe
• Our Role As Lay Persons in the Church
• How to Sing Well At Early Morning Masses
• My Favorite Catholic Hymns
• My Favorite Christmas Hymns
• Roundup of Tips for Cantors
• 9 Simple Tricks for Better Singing

Taize and Its Beauty

Hopefully, you can find multiple ways to use Taize in your music ministry or personal life. I know the times I have sung it, it has impacted me and brought me closer to Jesus.

It is a powerful experience packed into a few phrases. Remember to repeat with meaning and meditation to really get the best experience from singing Taize.