Church Music

[AndrewA]

Hey guys!

I’m a music composer, and a life-long catholic. My church plays lots of music that is also used in protestants, as well as early Bach and Handel mass music.

However, the music itself tends to lack a sacred, and for want of a better term, epic and awe inspiring feel.

I have used the standard words and put it to more impressive music with orchestration including, organ, choir, violins, and cellos.

I was wondering if this is okay to do and to try and get it performed at my church or others?

Or must my music be approved by a cardinal etc?

Thank you!

 

[Spirithound]

I’d say just ask your pastor. Hopefully he’ll ask you to play it for him, and maybe he’ll agree to have it used

 

[JPUSC]

Some Catholic churches do use orchestration, but it’s more common for the major cathedrals and basilicas.

You can try submitting them to Catholic music publishers, such as OCP or GIA. If the words contain nothing contrary to the faith, I don’t think you would have trouble getting ecclesial approbation.

If you just took the words out of the standard hymns, you might not need approval to use in the typical parish. Which songs did you derive the lyrics from? Just make sure the texts are free domain.

I’d be interested in hearing your arrangements.

 

[Spirithound]

lightbulb

Ok, I was more thinking that you were talking about Mass settings, like putting new music to the Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. If so, everybody knows the words already, and I don’t think you would need approval from anyone other than the pastor of the church you’re at.

Composing (for) hymns is more of a to-do, because people may not know the words, or they may be less familiar with the concept of the melody changing for them. I would certainly be thrown for a loop if someone changed the melody of “Immaculate Mary”, but wouldn’t bat an eye in a new setting for the Gloria. Anyways, if, for the hymns, you’ve just included more parts for the usual melodies, again, that’s less complication, and approach your pastor, maybe in conjunction with the choir leader, and perhaps with an offer of your own to play the violin for Mass?
Good luck and God bless!!