Help for Liturgical Composers Today

[Tartini]

I am a composer that writes liturgical vocal works. The pieces are in a Baroque and Early Classical styles (Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, etc.) and are in Latin. I have Masses, Antiphons, Hymns, Vespers and Psalm settings, and odd pieces, based on Latin prayers, that I have finished and/or in the process of finishing. I also have a number of organ works that could be used during certain points of Holy Mass. I usually “self-publish” my work.
What are the restrictions, if any, involving any parish to perform original works by new composers? Do the works have to be approved by the Church and then considered and/or published?
All of my sacred works are free to the public, as I would not consider making a profit from my God given talent, for my own vain-glory.
Thanks for any help on this question.

Jerald Franklin Archer

 

[Sarabande]

I can’t help you with information on actual written restrictions for new compositions, but you may want to check out this website:

canticanova.com/

The sell sacred music from various centuries, but also promote new composers of Catholic music, much of which are similar to what you are composing. I have a friend who has one of his works on there.

If you are lucky and have a parish near-by which has a very good music program and competant music director/organist, you might want to take some of your compositions to him/her and ask him/her questions on this. If they do know enough about sacred music requirements and restrictions, they can let you know if your music would be appropriate and maybe even play it at their masses.

I do know that with the classical music composers that I know, this is how they have had their music done in mass today. They find a traditional parish, with a great music program, get permission from the pastor - sometimes pastor commissioning them to do the work, then for the a special feast day or other special mass, have the work done during the mass. Or the music director taking an organ work to be done during mass. We used my husband’s composition teacher’s piece for our wedding mass, which was deemed appropriate by our music director.

 

[benedictgal]

I am a composer that writes liturgical vocal works. The pieces are in a Baroque and Early Classical styles (Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, etc.) and are in Latin. I have Masses, Antiphons, Hymns, Vespers and Psalm settings, and odd pieces, based on Latin prayers, that I have finished and/or in the process of finishing. I also have a number of organ works that could be used during certain points of Holy Mass. I usually “self-publish” my work.
What are the restrictions, if any, involving any parish to perform original works by new composers? Do the works have to be approved by the Church and then considered and/or published?
All of my sacred works are free to the public, as I would not consider making a profit from my God given talent, for my own vain-glory.
Thanks for any help on this question.

Jerald Franklin Archer

You might also want to touch base with the folks at Musica Sacra. You can contact them at:

www.musicasacra.com

Another good resource is Fr. Samuel Webber, OSB. He is the director of the Office of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He is a priest after your own heart who might be able to guide you. He has written compositions for the propers and settings for LOTH. I got to hear his work when I was in St. Louis back in November and I loved it.