Multiple song books

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CyrilSebastian

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In some churches some hymns are used from the missal/missalette. Other hymns are used from a different song book.
In other churches the hymns are all taken from just one song book.
Is it better to just have one song book?

:harp::harp::harp:
 
Why would you even ask?

What constitutes “better”?

Some parishes sing the same hymns week.after.week.
Singing hymns pertinent to the liturgical season is good. That’s what the missalettes offer.
No hymnal has every possible offering.
 
CyrilSebastian said:
In some churches some hymns are used from the missal/missalette. Other hymns are used from a different song book.
In other churches the hymns are all taken from just one song book.
Is it better to just have one song book?

:harp::harp::harp:
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We draw from the Hymnal (Adoremus Hymnal I believe) most of the time yet some feasts the hymn is drawn from the missal. The more choices the better. 🤷
 
I don’t really care if there is one or 50 so long as the songs are … never mind.

From a purely economic standpoint it is better to have a set of hardbound hymnals with a hardbound perpetual missal. They are more expensive to start, but they can be used for years and don’t require you toss them out every year or face lawsuits for license violations. I have a beautiful St Jogues Illuminated Missal that is both gorgeous and will last for many years as well as a handful of hardbound hymnals with nice paper and plenty of songs for the year. It is easier to replace those that reach an end of life also since you might have to buy a couple dozen a year vs buying 100+ new paper back ones every year. You also don’t have to have a “party” to replace them at the beginning of each liturgical year.

Personally I would rather see one book with the readings and appropriate antiphons, a couple seasonal mass settings and a couple dozen hymns. It would be great if they were then arranged by season (i.e. Advent section (with mass setting, readings and antiphons, hymns), Christmas section, et cetera). Most hymnals and missalets have scores of music that is never used, but you still pay for and license.
 
My previous pastor took a very modern technological approach and installed giant projector screens, so the psalms are displayed on the screens and everyone can look up and read them off the projector screen. No hymnal books needed.
 
Red_James said:
My previous pastor took a very modern technological approach and installed giant projector screens, so the psalms are displayed on the screens and everyone can look up and read them off the projector screen. No hymnal books needed.
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So he spent money on a screen and projector instead of hymnals. Let’s hope he also spent money on a license to project them, otherwise it’s a violation of copyright.

It’s really surprising how many parishes you find breaking copyright law by putting together their own hymnal or photocopying lyrics. Most do so unaware they are breaking the law but others see nothing wrong with the practice even when you bring it to their attention.
 
Phemie said:
So he spent money on a screen and projector instead of hymnals. Let’s hope he also spent money on a license to project them, otherwise it’s a violation of copyright.
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That is always the risk. It is possible they are using songs in the public domain, but many times they are transposed into the computer without regard to copyright or the fact that many publishers only license them for a single liturgical year. Even the Psalms of the mass are copyrighted.

That doesn’t mean that a parish that does this is breaking the law, but only that they need to be very careful that their embracing of technology is still done within the confines of the law.
 
Phemie said:
So he spent money on a screen and projector instead of hymnals. Let’s hope he also spent money on a license to project them, otherwise it’s a violation of copyright.

It’s really surprising how many parishes you find breaking copyright law by putting together their own hymnal or photocopying lyrics. Most do so unaware they are breaking the law but others see nothing wrong with the practice even when you bring it to their attention.
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Hmmm, I’ve never really thought about that. I’m no expert on these copyright laws but I will say that most of the time we use older hymns. The older a hymn is the less likely it is to have copyright laws. But thanks again for your insight, perhaps I will bring this to my pastor’s attention.
 
Some of the people here do not like the following:
They have to use one song book for the Entrance Hymn.
They have to use a different book for the Communion Hymn.
They may have to use a sheet of paper with additional hymns when an additional hymn is required.
They simply do not approve of going from one book to another book.
 
CyrilSebastian said:
Some of the people here do not like the following:
They have to use one song book for the Entrance Hymn.
They have to use a different book for the Communion Hymn.
They may have to use a sheet of paper with additional hymns when an additional hymn is required.
They simply do not approve of going from one book to another book.
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Frankly, I would tell my fellow parishioners; I can agree if the reason for one book is economic - otherwise, don’t be lazy.
 
CyrilSebastian said:
In some churches some hymns are used from the missal/missalette. Other hymns are used from a different song book.
In other churches the hymns are all taken from just one song book.
Is it better to just have one song book?

:harp::harp::harp:
Click to expand...
Obviously not - the question answers itself based on evidence.
 
On I practical level I do find having multiple books at mass a bit difficult with all the swapping around whist standing and kneeling and having to make the sign of the cross.
 
ConfusedLucy said:
On I practical level I do find having multiple books at mass a bit difficult with all the swapping around whist standing and kneeling and having to make the sign of the cross.
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ConfusedLucy, Your statement is perfection. People do not have a desire to go from one book to another to another.
 
Usige said:
That is always the risk. It is possible they are using songs in the public domain, but many times they are transposed into the computer without regard to copyright or the fact that many publishers only license them for a single liturgical year. Even the Psalms of the mass are copyrighted.

That doesn’t mean that a parish that does this is breaking the law, but only that they need to be very careful that their embracing of technology is still done within the confines of the law.
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This is why CPDL exists.
 
I accept the idea of having the words on a screen instead of a book would be shot down in flames 😃 but I would find it so much easier. Most churches don’t really have anywhere to put books down especially when standing and kneeling. I have had some awkward moments when it’s time to make the sign of the cross and I’m standing with a book in each hand.
 
CyrilSebastian said:
ConfusedLucy, Your statement is perfection. People do not have a desire to go from one book to another to another.
Click to expand...
It boggles the mind how people can complicate the simplest of things. Pick up book, put book down, pick up other book.

We’ve got 3 separate hymnals, each clearly marked on the hymn board used on Sunday, so you know exactly which book to pick up. If we are to sing during a weekday or Saturday evening Mass the number and hymnal are announced.
 
But there isn’t always an easy place to put them when standing.
 
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