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

[Sarabande]

This is what I chose for today. I got to cantor!!!

I had a seminarian friend help me. He did the Sequence and Veni Creator Spiritus. It was great!

Love your choices. You’re lucky you got to choose your music. I’ve never been able to do that as a cantor, except when I was the music director for the children’s choir and a few times for weddings and funerals. Other than that, at a regular Sunday mass, I just do what the boss tells me.

We did
Processional: Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Chanted Gloria in Latin from the Jubilate Deo mass
Sprinkling Rite: Chanted “I Saw Water” in English
Chanted Sequence
Offertory: Now The Green Blade Rises
Communion: I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Handel from Messiah)
Recessional: Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise

 

[Sarabande]

I added “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” at the Vigil. I ran out of communion hymns. I don’t know about you, but sequences drive me nuts. I would love it if there was one melody we could do for all. As it is, I have to find something with suitable meter that is familiar if I am going to have everyone sing. Tantum ergo works for one of them and I think Staber Mater works for one.

Let me just throw this out, how does everyone else handle these sequences?

Whereever I’ve been, we’ve always just had the cantor or the choir chant the sequences.

 

[TheMc]

I added “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus” at the Vigil. I ran out of communion hymns. I don’t know about you, but sequences drive me nuts. I would love it if there was one melody we could do for all. As it is, I have to find something with suitable meter that is familiar if I am going to have everyone sing. Tantum ergo works for one of them and I think Staber Mater works for one.

Let me just throw this out, how does everyone else handle these sequences?

Can’t you just chant the sequence in latin (or english) to it’s proper melody? It’s not that hard.

 

[pnewton]

Can’t you just chant the sequence in latin (or english) to it’s proper melody? It’s not that hard.

No, I can not and I do not agree that it is not that hard. We literally have not one person that can sight read music or has had any training in reading music. I do not know these melodies. Also, I was under the impression that it is best sung by all.

I was told that the other Masses just read the sequence.

 

[TheMc]

No, I can not and I do not agree that it is not that hard. We literally have not one person that can sight read music or has had any training in reading music. I do not know these melodies. Also, I was under the impression that it is best sung by all.

I was told that the other Masses just read the sequence.

My mistake. I was assuming you had people that could read music. Actually, even if people could sing things like the sequence (and I think many could, at least in my area), sometimes it is better left to the choir. It is more conducive to interior reflection.

Maybe you could find a recording of them on youtube. The melodies aren’t very difficult.

 

[Sarabande]

No, I can not and I do not agree that it is not that hard. We literally have not one person that can sight read music or has had any training in reading music. I do not know these melodies. Also, I was under the impression that it is best sung by all.

I was told that the other Masses just read the sequence.

My suggestion, first, would be then to just have it read. I have never been to a mass where the entire congregation sings it. That’s not to say it hasn’t been done, though. But I do know that if it wasn’t be chanted by the cantor or choir, it was always just read by the lector… not even the congregation.

In the meantime, if you do have the time, see if you can find another fellow music minister or a priest (who carries a tune) or whoever else you know who’d be versed in this to teach you how to go about learning the chants. I know a few priests who don’t read music or have had some musical training, but basically learned it by rote while in seminary and through the years.

I didn’t learn how to chant until I was in college when I joined the cathedral choir in my city. We did a lot of chant every other week for the Latin OF mass. (I also read music and currently make my living as a musician, so I realize that’s different and it makes it easier for me.) Chant does have a pulse and there is an inner rhythm which needs to be felt, but I can understand that it can be difficult to find at first if you aren’t used to it, especially to those who can’t read music at all. If you can start out with the more simple chants to learn, that will make it easier for your cantors.

It’s something that you’d have to start this year with your cantors/choir in order for them to be ready for next year. Since you read music, you could probably learn it within a few months, once you have someone show you the ropes (it’s hard to teach it on a forum, you really need to do it in person). I’m sure you’ll be able to pick it up. I taught all of my choir kids how to chant the simple chants by the end of my first year teaching (most didn’t read music), and I am far from being some sort of musical genius. The majority of the choir in the cathedral choir didn’t read music either. It’s repetition that makes it work. If you continue doing it with them, they will pick it up. Some will get it quickly, others won’t. There just needs to be reassurance and patience.

 

[pnewton]

Actually, even if people could sing things like the sequence (and I think many could, at least in my area), sometimes it is better left to the choir. It is more conducive to interior reflection.

We have a choir of 2-6 people and only me, my wife and one other can read some what, although we all pretty much need to pick out the melody to catch on. Still, I might see about learning them myself and start singing them, especially for Pentacost. For Corpus Christi, my goal is to learn Panis Angelicus.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Here’s suggestions for next weekend:

Sunday, May 8, 2011 - Third Sunday of Easter - Year A

Processional Hymn: #173 Christ, the Lord, Is Risen Today LLANFAIR
Preparation of the Gifts: #178 Two Were Bound for Emmaus KENMARE
Communion Hymn: #334 In the Breaking of the Bread Hurd
Recessional Hymn: #167 Be Joyful, Mary, Heavenly Queen REGINA CAELI

This is what my music director has:

Processional Hymn: #608 Alleluia #1 Fishel
Preparation of the Gifts: #178 Two Were Bound for Emmaus KENMARE
Communion Hymn: #334 In the Breaking of the Bread Hurd
Recessional Hymn: #559 Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee HYMN TO JOY

 

[TrueLight]

We have a choir of 2-6 people and only me, my wife and one other can read some what, although we all pretty much need to pick out the melody to catch on. Still, I might see about learning them myself and start singing them, especially for Pentacost. For Corpus Christi, my goal is to learn Panis Angelicus.

Have you checked out cyberbass.com?

It is an excellent resource for choral singers, especially those who don’t read music. You just pick the song and pick your voice part and you can listen to it played out via piano. All the divisis are included too.

I think it’s a great site for choir directors to refer their members to.

 

[benedictgal]

This is what I had suggested to my parochial vicar. We both thought that the choir would be out, but, alas, they showed up and we had the usual Spirit and Song drek. This is what we would have used:

Entrance Processional: Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Offertory: Ye Sons and Daughters (Verse 1 and then skipping to the Thomas verses)
Communion: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Recessional: The Strife is O’er

 

[CatholicZ09]

This is what I had suggested to my parochial vicar. We both thought that the choir would be out, but, alas, they showed up and we had the usual Spirit and Song drek. This is what we would have used:

Entrance Processional: Jesus Christ is Risen Today
Offertory: Ye Sons and Daughters (Verse 1 and then skipping to the Thomas verses)
Communion: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Recessional: The Strife is O’er

That’s a shame. I would kill to have a music list like yours! Thankfully, my music director picks out the best songs during the Easter season.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Just a word of advice to music directors when planning the music for this upcoming weekend:

Mothers’ Day is Sunday, May 8, and since we can associate this day with our heavenly mother as well, hymns in honor of Mary (particularly depicting her joys during the Resurrection) are absolutely fitting.

Some suggestions:

Be Joyful, Mary, Heavenly Queen REGINA CAELI
Regina Caeli (O Queen of Heaven) Chant
Three Days THAXTED

 

[TheMc]

bump

 

[pnewton]

Just a word of advice to music directors when planning the music for this upcoming weekend:

Mothers’ Day is Sunday, May 8, and since we can associate this day with our heavenly mother as well, hymns in honor of Mary (particularly depicting her joys during the Resurrection) are absolutely fitting.

Some suggestions:

Be Joyful, Mary, Heavenly Queen REGINA CAELI
Regina Caeli (O Queen of Heaven) Chant
Three Days THAXTED

I am going to include O Sanctissima somewhere.

 

[pnewton]

Have you checked out cyberbass.com?

It is an excellent resource for choral singers, especially those who don’t read music. You just pick the song and pick your voice part and you can listen to it played out via piano. All the divisis are included too.

I think it’s a great site for choir directors to refer their members to.

I just checked it out and PA is not there. It is a good link though. Thanks.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Here are my suggestions for next weekend:

Sunday, May 15, 2011 - Fourth Sunday of Easter - Year A

Processional Hymn: #174 Alleluia! Alleluia! HYMN TO JOY
Preparation of the Gifts: #363 Shepherd of Souls ST. AGNES
Communion Hymn: #440 We Will Rise Again Haas
Recessional Hymn: #733 Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER

This is what my music director has:

Processional Hymn: #733 Lift High the Cross CRUCIFER
Preparation of the Gifts: #570 Come, Christians, Join to Sing MADRID
Communion Hymn: #516 We Have Been Told Haas
Recessional Hymn: #170 The Day of Resurrection ELLACOMBE

 

[ArchStreetBand]

Those are some great selections! You can do so much with a full band with those choices. What instruments do you have in your choir?

Hi, Fishergal!

Sorry for a much-belated response. I don’t check in on this thread often. One too many private messages criticizing my song choices from a certain persistent poster…

Anyway, I really like your list, too!

We are blessed to have a full band at seven music Masses every weekend. We’ve got piano, guitar, bass, drums, trumpet and cantor. Actually, 4 of us sing, so we’ve got 4 “cantors”

Going to risk the insults and post our recent lists this afternoon.

Happy Easter to all!

 

[benedictgal]

In the event that I am called into duty this weekend (depending how I feel), this is what I have planned:

Entrance Processional: The Strife Is O’er
Offertory: At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
Communion: Alleluia, Sing to Jesus
Recessional: Regina Caeli

As I have not been feeling well for the better part of two weeks, I am hoping that I will get better.

 

[ArchStreetBand]

Ok, deep breath.

And, here we go!

Last week (Divine Mercy Sunday) we did:

Preludes:
Healing Waters (Trevor Thomson)
Better Is One Day (Matt Redman)
Let the River Flow (Darrel Evans)
Our God Is Here (Chris Muglia)
Jesus, I Trust in You (Angus McDonell)

Proc: In the Day of the Lord (MD Ridge)
Psalm: Give Thanks to the Lord (Steve Angrisano)
Prep: Open the Eyes of My Heart (Paul Baloche)
Pre-Comm: Surely, the Presence of the Lord (Lanny Wolfe)
Comm: In This Place (Trevor Thomson)
Rec: We Walk by Faith (to the wonderful tune AMAZING GRACE)
Post: Your Grace Is Enough (Matt Maher)

I had a little trouble programming for this weekend…

This week (3rd Easter) we’re doing:

Preludes:
Ave Maria (Franz Schubert)
Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)
Pescador de Hombres (Cesar Gabarain)
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever (Martin Smith)
Jesus, My Everything (Matt Maher)
How Great Is Our God (Chris Tomlin)
Strength for the Journey (Michael John Poirier)
God Has Chosen Me (Bernadette Farrell)

Proc: One Spirit, One Church (Kevin Keil)
Psalm: Path of Life (Trevor Thomson)
Prep: Hail Mary: Gentle Woman (Carey Landry)
OR Communion Song (Carmen Scialla) a wonderful song if you haven’t heard it!!
Comm: Remembrance (Matt Maher, Matt Redman)
Rec: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee OR I Am the Bread of Life (Suzanne Toolan, RSM)
Post: Let the River Flow (Darrel Evans)

Happy Easter and Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!

 

[CatholicZ09]

Here’s my suggestions for next weekend:

Sunday, May 22, 2011 - Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year A

Processional Hymn: #599 Sing with All the Saints in Glory HYMN TO JOY
Preparation of the Gifts: #176 At the Lamb’s High Feast SALZBURG
Communion Hymn: #516 We Have Been Told Haas
Recessional Hymn: #175 Jesus Is Risen LAAST UNS ERFREUEN

This is what my music director has:

Processional Hymn: #578 Sing a New Song Schutte
Preparation of the Gifts: #176 At the Lamb’s High Feast SALZBURG
Communion Hymn: #321 Bread of Life Farrell
Recessional Hymn: #605 Join in the Dance Schutte