Being in the choir

[OraLabora]

Single binder, with all the music in it.

^^^This.

It’s what our choir does. We prepare/scan all the music, put it up on the choir’s website, and it is the individual chorister’s duty to download and print it before the first rehearsal for the Mass, Office or event we plan to sing at.

Or in my case, out of guilt for killing so many trees when I was a scientist in the paper industry, download it to my iPad mini.

The sheets should be in the order you’ll need them through the Mass.

One does get used to it with time.

 

[St_Francis]

Thanks for all the new hints!

I spent this afternnon making a small booklet with everything except the hymns in it. It’s got the music I don’t know for the ordinary (I hope!) the readings for tomorrow, and the ordinary itself, and highlighter where I’m supposed to change I also know all the changes I need to make, like making the type bigger

It all fits in my purse; I’m so happy!

 

[Mary_Ellen]

StFrancis,

Welcome to Choir Ministry!

I’ve done music ministry of one type or another for over 35 years. My road to sanity is organization:
My current choir uses two main hymnals along with binders for loose-leaf copies of music. I use the same color ribbon or Post-It note for the same part of the Mass, no matter what book the music comes from: white for Entrance, Red for Communion, Blue for Recessional, etc…
My binder has dividers for the parts of the Mass (the Ordinary) and loose-leaf hymns are inserted in the appropriate spots, where they come up in the mass.
All other loose-leaf music, not being used for the current mass, are kept in the back of the binder in alphabetical order.

I do not attend another mass because of distractions at masses at which I minister as cantor, psalmist, or choir-member. I can be just as, or even more distracted sitting with the assembly.

Yes, things should get easier for you as time goes on. You will become more familiar with the music, your choir master’s selections and way of doing things, and you’ll develop your own way of organizing things in your head ahead of time so that you’ll be on the ball when the entrance hymn or antiphon is sung.

Be at peace.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I’ve been an altar sever, sacristan, reader, and cantor, and yes, it is sometimes a problem. Sometimes, I can focus more deeply on the Mass when I serve a particular role, and sometimes, I just completely lose all focus and worry about not forgetting what I have to do, especially during those “big” liturgies like Easter Vigil.

I do sometimes go to another Mass that weekend so that I can just sit in the pew and focus on being present at Mass.

I found that trying to stay organized is key. Whenever I have to be a server or sacristan, I make sure I arrive fairly early so that I don’t have to feel rushed.

 

[St_Francis]

My thanks to both of you for your encouragement and hints

Things went more smoothly this weekend! I appreciate everyone’s helpful hints; I was able to incorporate some into my folder and that was an enormous help!

 

[Jennifoo]

Hi there. I’ve been singing in several choirs for awhile now. I agree that it can be a challenge to focus on the Mass with all the hymnals and music, but it is possible with God’s grace. I find it helpful to get there early and have all my stuff organized and to have time to recollect myself before Mass. ( I also pray in the car on the way.) I always ask the Saints, especially my Guardian Angel and my Patrons, to obtain that I may glorify God with my soul, heart, mind and voice.

Hope this helps. God bless you.