As you well know by now, the Church is not silent on music in the liturgy: what is appropriate for worship & what isn't, who should sing what & when - it's all there in the writings of popes, councils, bishop's conferences, & diocesan policies (see side bar) of the past hundred years.
Unfortunately, most Catholics, including musicians, & even the music directors (who, frankly, ought to know better) haven't the foggiest about any of this, & go on blissfully singing whatever Big Catholic Music Publisher tells them to sing out of their disposable holy books, which is virtually the exact opposite of the persistent message that Holy Mother Church has been trying to impart to her stiff-necked children for several generations now.
This must change, because ultimately worship is the heart of the Catholic Faith & damage to the liturgy damages our understanding of the Faith & our children's formation in it. How we worship forms us in what we believe about God & what we are to do in response. In short, the music we use at Mass forms us, either right or wrongly. Lex orandi, lex credendi.
I am a pretty big fan of the writings of Fr. Dwight Longenecker, a convert from high-church Anglicanism. He writes from the heart of the Church, with clarity & humor. He also talks about the things no one will talk about, esp. the typical parish priest. HERE is his 10-part "mega-post" on Catholic hymns, each post featuring a great hymn with some insight into what the big deal is about church music.
Also, here's the interesting views of a Catholic music "insider" who arrived at much the same position:
http://www.chantcafe.com/2013/11/james-macmillan-decides-to-stop-writing.html
If you need lighter fare, have a go at The Low Churchman's Guide To The Solemn High Mass.
"Become a saint!"
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