Music Leader Thread Part III - Song Lists, Suggestions, and Comments

[ArchStreetBand]

Then at the end, instead of doing a traditional exit song we did her absolute favorite song by her favorite Irish Folk singing group, The High Kings. It is a song done in Irish pubs around the world called “The Wild Rover.” Everyone was clapping and singing along as they laughed and wept. A beautiful send off for a beautiful lady.

Thanks, H. What a great song! And, I’m grateful that you posted it this week!!

One of the amazing aspects of my ministry is the privilege of putting together funeral liturgies for homeless men and women who die with no family or means for a proper burial.

It can be a real challenge to make the liturgy personal when we don’t know anything about the deceased. Anyway (long story longer), this week I’m doing a funeral for an Irish man whose friend (also homeless) mentioned that he was proud of his heritage. This song will be a perfect prelude… Will also do Kreutz’s “An Irish Blessing”, I think. Thank you!!

btw - For my grandmother’s funeral a couple of months ago, my partner and I did an awesome song arranged by Chris Rice - Untitled Hymn. Heard of it? youtube.com/watch?v=pOzYcXaZY8k

Peace and good to you!

 

[benedictgal]

Are you going to start doing the offertory chant any time soon?

My main drawback is that I don’t read music, much less Gregorian modes. I have to listen to the tutorials many, many times in order to get the music right. For me, it is a struggle to learn two new pieces every week, but, I am trying. I am trying because I believe in the sacredness of the propers.

What helps is that the misssallete does have the antiphons for the Entrance and Communion; however, they do not necessarily match what is in the SEP. Furthermore, there is no offertory antiphon (as far as I can tell) in the OF; all that we have is what is in the SEP.

Nonetheless, I am still chugging along.

 

[Sarabande]

My main drawback is that I don’t read music, much less Gregorian modes. I have to listen to the tutorials many, many times in order to get the music right. For me, it is a struggle to learn two new pieces every week, but, I am trying. I am trying because I believe in the sacredness of the propers.

What helps is that the misssallete does have the antiphons for the Entrance and Communion; however, they do not necessarily match what is in the SEP. Furthermore, there is no offertory antiphon (as far as I can tell) in the OF; all that we have is what is in the SEP.

Nonetheless, I am still chugging along.

I have always been amazed at those who learn music without being able to read it because I remember how difficult it was for me before I was able to. I’m in a production right now which is a new “opera” written for children’s theater. It has fun music for kids (albeit can be difficult rhythmically and harmonically) and one of the main characters is for more of a pop/musical theater singer. That singer has a good voice, but cannot read music and learns everything by rote. I couldn’t survive without the music written under the words. The rest of the cast is classically trained and read music and we all give her so much kudos for being able to learn the music, some of which is not easy.

So, I applaud you. I am sure your parish as well as other musicians appreciate the hard work you are putting in to make this a reality. I wonder if there is anyone who can help assist you in at least some elementary reading of music, especially with the modes. They can be fairly simple to read and at least plunk out on a piano/keyboard when you’re at home. I know there are people around me who are always excited to help. If you lived near me, I would love to.

 

[strummerjohn]

Hi everyone. Pardon me while I jump in. It’s my first post here. I lead the Noon Mass choir at my church. I wasn’t trying to be the leader, but it just kind of happened. Anyway, I’m still pretty new at it, so I’ll be lurking around, looking for song suggestions, etc. I’m glad I found this thread, it’s kind of buried.

 

[benedictgal]

I have always been amazed at those who learn music without being able to read it because I remember how difficult it was for me before I was able to. I’m in a production right now which is a new “opera” written for children’s theater. It has fun music for kids (albeit can be difficult rhythmically and harmonically) and one of the main characters is for more of a pop/musical theater singer. That singer has a good voice, but cannot read music and learns everything by rote. I couldn’t survive without the music written under the words. The rest of the cast is classically trained and read music and we all give her so much kudos for being able to learn the music, some of which is not easy.

So, I applaud you. I am sure your parish as well as other musicians appreciate the hard work you are putting in to make this a reality. I wonder if there is anyone who can help assist you in at least some elementary reading of music, especially with the modes. They can be fairly simple to read and at least plunk out on a piano/keyboard when you’re at home. I know there are people around me who are always excited to help. If you lived near me, I would love to.

Thank you so much for your kind words, Sarabande. I am trying very hard. I do have someone help me with the responsorial psalm when I don’t know the melody; however, the SEP are another story altogether.

I have said it time and time again in these threads about the need to infuse the sacred back into our liturgical music. To that end, I am willing to put my money where my mouth and my vocal cords are. For me, it’s not just about posting here on CAF; it’s about putting into practice what I support.

 

[benedictgal]

Hi everyone. Pardon me while I jump in. It’s my first post here. I lead the Noon Mass choir at my church. I wasn’t trying to be the leader, but it just kind of happened. Anyway, I’m still pretty new at it, so I’ll be lurking around, looking for song suggestions, etc. I’m glad I found this thread, it’s kind of buried.

Welcome to the CAF! Leading music is not easy,but, if you use the authoritative documents of the Church and the readings as your guide. These documents include Musicam Sacram and Sacramentum Caritatis (especially No. 42 where Pope Benedict XVI addresses the issue of sacred music).

You can find these documents at:

www.adoremus.org

I would not necessarily go to OCP as a resource because the publishing house tends to promote its own composers and books; rather, look at the readings and the particular season. GIA is only slightly better.

Cantica Nova and the Musica Sacra forum of the Church Music Association of America are great resources.

Bear in mind that in November (or, depending on what your Archbisho determines), we will be using the new translation of the Mass. ICEL has simple settings that you can learn and then teach to the faithful in your parish.

You can find these at:

www.chantcafe.com

These fine folks also have video tutorials.

 

[pnewton]

Hi everyone. Pardon me while I jump in. It’s my first post here. I lead the Noon Mass choir at my church. I wasn’t trying to be the leader, but it just kind of happened. Anyway, I’m still pretty new at it, so I’ll be lurking around, looking for song suggestions, etc. I’m glad I found this thread, it’s kind of buried.

That’s kind of how it happened to me. On this thread, we try to be more helpful than opinionated, so I bet you will like it. Feel free to jump in with any suggestions or questions.

 

[pnewton]

I would not necessarily go to OCP as a resource because the publishing house tends to promote its own composers and books; rather, look at the readings and the particular season. GIA is only slightly better.
.

You have to take those folks with a grain of salt. I like them as a resource, but I never forget they have a profit motive and rely way too much on staff composers for my liking. I would also like to add to your suggestions by including the Holy Father’s book, Spirit of the Liturgy. It has helped me as oodles, and BTW, that was your suggestion a few years back.

 

[strummerjohn]

Thanks for the welcome. Yeah, each week I look at the readings, and a couple Catholic websites for suggestions. We use the Glory and Praise book. Also, we’re a downtown parish with very few regular parishioners. It’s mainly tourists on Sundays. I call our group a mish-mash of choir misfits. It’s difficult to have a practice because everyone in the choir comes in from quite a distance. We only know the songs we know…ya know…It’s hard to introduce new material. However, we have started on the new settings. In fact I ordered music and cd’s of the one we are going to use, they arrived today. Our Bishop wants us to start in Sept.

 

[benedictgal]

Thanks for the welcome. Yeah, each week I look at the readings, and a couple Catholic websites for suggestions. We use the Glory and Praise book. Also, we’re a downtown parish with very few regular parishioners. It’s mainly tourists on Sundays. I call our group a mish-mash of choir misfits. It’s difficult to have a practice because everyone in the choir comes in from quite a distance. We only know the songs we know…ya know…It’s hard to introduce new material. However, we have started on the new settings. In fact I ordered music and cd’s of the one we are going to use, they arrived today. Our Bishop wants us to start in Sept.

When my dad and I go to San Antonio we usually go to Mass at St. Francesco di Paola, just north of Santa Rosa. My aunt’s parish is St. Mary’s (right around the corner from the Majestic). I have been to Immaculate Heart of Mary and St. Joseph’s (also called St. Joske’s).

Which setting are you using? We are going to use the ICEL chants as they are the easiest and can be used for daily Mass.

 

[strummerjohn]

Wow, small world. I go to St Marys. We love it there. Did I see you are from Laredo? My mom went to St Augustine from 1st through high school…We are using the Mass of St. Ann by Ed Bolduc, from WLP…

 

[benedictgal]

Wow, small world. I go to St Marys. We love it there. Did I see you are from Laredo? My mom went to St Augustine from 1st through high school…We are using the Mass of St. Ann by Ed Bolduc, from WLP…

We are using the ICEL chants because they are simple and can also work for Daily Mass. The other good thing is that the Gloria is straight-through.

Yes. I am from Laredo.

 

[pnewton]

Thanks for the welcome. Yeah, each week I look at the readings, and a couple Catholic websites for suggestions. We use the Glory and Praise book. Also, we’re a downtown parish with very few regular parishioners. It’s mainly tourists on Sundays.

I might have been there. I have been to both the Cathedral and the one near the riverwalk. I have also been to Little Flower quite often.

 

[CatholicZ09]

OT again —

Just dropping in to say that I arrived back in the states a few hours ago in Washington D.C. and we took a charter bus back to Pittsburgh. The flight was the worst part - 9 hours. I hope to never have to fly that much again!

World Youth Day was awesome, and I am going to start posting pictures in an album on here soon hopefully. I am probably going to start a new thread about my adventures in Italy and Spain, so look out for that!

 

[pnewton]

World Youth Day was awesome, and I am going to start posting pictures in an album on here soon hopefully. I am probably going to start a new thread about my adventures in Italy and Spain, so look out for that!

Awesome!

 

[CatholicZ09]

Read my adventures here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=592838

 

[CatholicZ09]

Here’s my suggestions for this weekend:

Sunday, August 28, 2011 - Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Processional Hymn: #732 Take Up Your Cross ERHALT UNS, HERR
Preparation of the Gifts: #499 Renew Us IN BABILONE
Communion Hymn: #734 Glory in the Cross (Easter verses) Schutte
Recessional Hymn: #733 Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER

This is what my music director has:

Processional Hymn: #734 Glory in the Cross Schutte
Preparation of the Gifts: #678 Loving and Forgiving Soper
Communion Hymn: #331 Taste and See Moore
Recessional Hymn: #733 Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER

 

[benedictgal]

Here’s my suggestions for this weekend:

Sunday, August 28, 2011 - Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Processional Hymn: #732 Take Up Your Cross ERHALT UNS, HERR
Preparation of the Gifts: #499 Renew Us IN BABILONE
Communion Hymn: #734 Glory in the Cross (Easter verses) Schutte
Recessional Hymn: #733 Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER

This is what my music director has:

Processional Hymn: #734 Glory in the Cross Schutte
Preparation of the Gifts: #678 Loving and Forgiving Soper
Communion Hymn: #331 Taste and See Moore
Recessional Hymn: #733 Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER

This is what I have planned:

Entrance: Antiphon from Simple English Propers for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Responsorial Psalm: Revised Grail Psalter
Offertory: At the Name of Jesus
Communion Hymn: Antiphon from SEP
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Recessional: Lift High the Cross

 

[JGMendes4049]

This is what I would suggest, if one wasn’t using the propers:

Sunday, August 28, 2011—Twenty–Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Entrance: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name GROSSER GOTT
Offertory: Praise to the Lord LOBE DEN HERREN
Communion: I Received the Living God LIVING GOD
Recessional: Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER

 

[strummerjohn]

I might have been there. I have been to both the Cathedral and the one near the riverwalk. I have also been to Little Flower quite often.

Yep, we are right on the riverwalk. Beautiful old traditional church, built in the early 1920’s. We are up in the choir loft. It’s great, no one sees us up there, plus it’s a great view.