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

[Whitacre_Girl]

Hey guys,

I am a brand new appointed music director at my parish. The transition has been crazy since the job was held down by three different people and it has all been amalgamated into one position that I have taken over. At any rate, I’m glad I found this thread!

My biggest concern is growing the music department as a whole, but I also want to use the music to bring a stronger spirituality to the parish. I get a sense of a lack of reverence at communion sometimes, and I have been thinking of ways to focus people in more. How would a small special before the communion hymn go over? Do you think that’s appropriate? A meditative piece done while people are about to receive, and then a hymn after? What have you guys done?

 

[CatholicZ09]

Hey guys,

I am a brand new appointed music director at my parish. The transition has been crazy since the job was held down by three different people and it has all been amalgamated into one position that I have taken over. At any rate, I’m glad I found this thread!

My biggest concern is growing the music department as a whole, but I also want to use the music to bring a stronger spirituality to the parish. I get a sense of a lack of reverence at communion sometimes, and I have been thinking of ways to focus people in more. How would a small special before the communion hymn go over? Do you think that’s appropriate? A meditative piece done while people are about to receive, and then a hymn after? What have you guys done?

I know a lot of churches generally do a meditative piece before the actual Communion hymn. You’ll probably get more people singing that way as well because I noticed that at my church, people tend to sing less at Communion because they’re going up and receiving, and then once they get back to their pew, they meditate. I’m thinking that once the last person receives and sits down, a Communion hymn can be sung then. The only way you might get people singing in the line for Communion would be to pick a hymn that everybody knows (Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, At the Lamb’s High Feast, Panis Angelicus, I Received the Living God, etc.) I noticed that when people are in line and waiting to recieve, and the hymn is more traditional, they sing. It can be hard, though, picking an old-fashioned hymn that everybody knows every week. I think your best bet may be waiting until everyone has received.

 

[MarkThompson]

Hey guys,

I am a brand new appointed music director at my parish.

My heartfelt condolences. Er, I mean, congratulations!

The transition has been crazy since the job was held down by three different people and it has all been amalgamated into one position that I have taken over. At any rate, I’m glad I found this thread!

My biggest concern is growing the music department as a whole, but I also want to use the music to bring a stronger spirituality to the parish. I get a sense of a lack of reverence at communion sometimes, and I have been thinking of ways to focus people in more. How would a small special before the communion hymn go over? Do you think that’s appropriate? A meditative piece done while people are about to receive, and then a hymn after? What have you guys done?

I’m not sure what a “special” is (is that music director lingo?) but my suggestion would be to do the proper Communion antiphon, either from the Graduale Romanum if you are able, or from something like the Simple English Propers project. At my parish, we sing the Gregorian antiphon, and then a congregational hymn (usually just a refrain for the congregation, with the verses sung by the cantor), and then a choral piece as Communion is ending.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

My heartfelt condolences. Er, I mean, congratulations!

HAHA!! Thanks! :thumbsup:

I’m not sure what a “special” is (is that music director lingo?) but my suggestion would be to do the proper Communion antiphon, either from the Graduale Romanum if you are able, or from something like the Simple English Propers project. At my parish, we sing the Gregorian antiphon, and then a congregational hymn (usually just a refrain for the congregation, with the verses sung by the cantor), and then a choral piece as Communion is ending.

Hmm…we are getting the New Roman Missal in the fall for advent…Maybe I’ll do chant then.

I am wondering about solos. Like, if there is a christian song that someone has on their heart to share that day during communion before the hymn that relates to the homily or readings, but isn’t in our missal. Things like this:

youtube.com/watch?v=QtNzOpKvPfw

or

youtube.com/watch?v=fjDojEOiMcE

Just songs that are intended to cause the congregation to pause and really think. My parish really has a thirst for good, meditative, contemporary music. I am wanting to steer things more to chant, but that’s going to take time. I wonder if singing contemporary songs or hymns during this time then gradually adding chant more and more might be a good move. I guess my point is to give them reason to stop, think, recognize the holiness of the moment before they receive. Contemporary music seems to be the best bet for them for now. But I REALLY would love antiphons and chant. Sadly, I feel that jumping to that immediately would cause some confusion and not direct them in the way I feel is appropriate before communion (grumbling, rather than reverence)

 

[Sarabande]

Just songs that are intended to cause the congregation to pause and really think. My parish really has a thirst for good, meditative, contemporary music. I am wanting to steer things more to chant, but that’s going to take time. I wonder if singing contemporary songs or hymns during this time then gradually adding chant more and more might be a good move. I guess my point is to give them reason to stop, think, recognize the holiness of the moment before they receive. Contemporary music seems to be the best bet for them for now. But I REALLY would love antiphons and chant. Sadly, I feel that jumping to that immediately would cause some confusion and not direct them in the way I feel is appropriate before communion (grumbling, rather than reverence)

I completely understand trying to do it all gradually, especially with a parish that is used to only one kind of music. Does the rest of the liturgy pretty much have contemporary music? If so, I would think adding one chant during the communion might be a good place to gradually get them acclimated to the chants/antiphons. Still have a contemporary hymn during communion as well. Then as time goes on you can slowly introduce other music, perhaps do a little more once Advent hits. If you just start it in Advent, it may still add to the confusion you want to avoid. Also starting it now would be preparing them for the changes. Again, just one chant. I don’t think it would be too horrible or confusing for them. There is a parish near me which will sometimes do a style of music which will usually grate on me, but because it’s usually just one piece, I can get through it and not focus on it.

 

[Sarabande]

P.S. And best of luck in your new position. I’m sure you will do very well.

 

[moreorless]

I completely understand trying to do it all gradually, especially with a parish that is used to only one kind of music. Does the rest of the liturgy pretty much have contemporary music? If so, I would think adding one chant during the communion might be a good place to gradually get them acclimated to the chants/antiphons. Still have a contemporary hymn during communion as well. Then as time goes on you can slowly introduce other music, perhaps do a little more once Advent hits. If you just start it in Advent, it may still add to the confusion you want to avoid. Also starting it now would be preparing them for the changes. Again, just one chant. I don’t think it would be too horrible or confusing for them. There is a parish near me which will sometimes do a style of music which will usually grate on me, but because it’s usually just one piece, I can get through it and not focus on it.

That’s basically how we did it at my parish: gradually. We started singing the communion antiphon. Sometimes we sing it from the gradual, sometimes from Simple English Propers. It’s still a work in progress but we are happy to be moving toward singing the Mass, instead of just singing at Mass.

 

[TheMc]

That’s basically how we did it at my parish: gradually. We started singing the communion antiphon. Sometimes we sing it from the gradual, sometimes from Simple English Propers. It’s still a work in progress but we are happy to be moving toward singing the Mass, instead of just singing at Mass.

If I were you, I’d just sing it all gradually, that is, from the gradual!

Kudos for your moves to start singing the Mass. Keep it up!

 

[benedictgal]

If I were you, I’d just sing it all gradually, that is, from the gradual!

Kudos for your moves to start singing the Mass. Keep it up!

One important thing to note is that we should also try to maintain sacred silence. Not everything in the Mass has to have dialogue or singing, or even instrumental music. Silence in the Mass, especially after Holy Communion, is important. Silence is not the absence of sound; rather, it gives God a chance to get a word in edgewise.

My biggest concern in my parish is that the music folks seem to want to fill every gap in with music, especially after Holy Communion when the pianist plays the piano.

 

[TheMc]

One important thing to note is that we should also try to maintain sacred silence. Not everything in the Mass has to have dialogue or singing, or even instrumental music. Silence in the Mass, especially after Holy Communion, is important. Silence is not the absence of sound; rather, it gives God a chance to get a word in edgewise.

My biggest concern in my parish is that the music folks seem to want to fill every gap in with music, especially after Holy Communion when the pianist plays the piano.

Good point. One thing I’ve noticed from practical experience is that if you sing chant and only chant, silence is often already built in. Like after the offertory or communion chant. Also, if you sing from the gradual, or at least in latin, it can offer a very good atmosphere for meditation, even during the chant.

Well there’s my two cents.

 

[ArchStreetBand]

I know a lot of churches generally do a meditative piece before the actual Communion hymn. You’ll probably get more people singing that way as well because I noticed that at my church, people tend to sing less at Communion because they’re going up and receiving, and then once they get back to their pew, they meditate. I’m thinking that once the last person receives and sits down, a Communion hymn can be sung then. The only way you might get people singing in the line for Communion would be to pick a hymn that everybody knows (Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, At the Lamb’s High Feast, Panis Angelicus, I Received the Living God, etc.) I noticed that when people are in line and waiting to recieve, and the hymn is more traditional, they sing. It can be hard, though, picking an old-fashioned hymn that everybody knows every week. I think your best bet may be waiting until everyone has received.

Hi, there!

We sing a wonderful song by Lanny Wolfe called “Surely, the Presence of the Lord is in This Place” while the Worship Ministers receive Communion. Then I segue (usually on piano) into our Communion song as the Ministers go to their stations. After Communion, we segue back into the third verse.

It’s become an integral and powerful part of our worship. Even though I’ve only published the words in the worship program a couple of times, the congregation has come to know and love it and they sing it out!!

Here are some other suggestions:

All Who Are Thirsty (Brenton Brown and Glenn Robertson)
Here in Your Presence (Don Moen)
Sacred Silence (Tom Booth and Jenny Pixler)

All the best to you in your new position!

 

[ArchStreetBand]

Hey guys,

I am a brand new appointed music director at my parish. The transition has been crazy since the job was held down by three different people and it has all been amalgamated into one position that I have taken over. At any rate, I’m glad I found this thread!

My biggest concern is growing the music department as a whole, but I also want to use the music to bring a stronger spirituality to the parish. I get a sense of a lack of reverence at communion sometimes, and I have been thinking of ways to focus people in more. How would a small special before the communion hymn go over? Do you think that’s appropriate? A meditative piece done while people are about to receive, and then a hymn after? What have you guys done?

Hi, there!

We sing a wonderful song by Lanny Wolfe called “Surely, the Presence of the Lord is in This Place” while the Worship Ministers receive Communion. Then I segue (usually on piano) into our Communion song as the Ministers go to their stations. After Communion, we segue back into the third verse.

It’s become an integral and powerful part of our worship. Even though I’ve only published the words in the worship program a couple of times, the congregation has come to know and love it and they sing it out!!

Here are some other suggestions:

All Who Are Thirsty (Brenton Brown and Glenn Robertson)
Here in Your Presence (Don Moen)
Sacred Silence (Tom Booth and Jenny Pixler)

All the best to you in your new position!

 

[TheMc]

Hi, there!

We sing a wonderful song by Lanny Wolfe called “Surely, the Presence of the Lord is in This Place” while the Worship Ministers receive Communion. Then I segue (usually on piano) into our Communion song as the Ministers go to their stations. After Communion, we segue back into the third verse.

It’s become an integral and powerful part of our worship. Even though I’ve only published the words in the worship program a couple of times, the congregation has come to know and love it and they sing it out!!

Here are some other suggestions:

All Who Are Thirsty (Brenton Brown and Glenn Robertson)
Here in Your Presence (Don Moen)
Sacred Silence (Tom Booth and Jenny Pixler)

All the best to you in your new position!

What is a “worship minister”? Are you referring to the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the clergy and the servers?

 

[ArchStreetBand]

What is a “worship minister”? Are you referring to the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, the clergy and the servers?

Our “Worship Ministry” includes our Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Music Ministers, Ushers, etc.

In this case, I was referring to the Music Ministers, Lector and Eucharistic Ministers who receive at the altar before the congregation.

 

[benedictgal]

Our “Worship Ministry” includes our Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Music Ministers, Ushers, etc.

In this case, I was referring to the Music Ministers, Lector and Eucharistic Ministers who receive at the altar before the congregation.

Eucharistic Ministers are priests and bishops, as only they can confect the Eucharist. Laity who assist in distributing Holy Communion are called by their proper term: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

 

[ArchStreetBand]

Eucharistic Ministers are priests and bishops, as only they can confect the Eucharist. Laity who assist in distributing Holy Communion are called by their proper term: Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

Thanks for your insightful comments, Benedictgal! Always helpful

 

[benedictgal]

I know that this thread concerns itself with English-language music, but, given the make-up here in the United States, perhaps we could also offer suggestions for Spanish-language music as well.

I have been asked to help out in selecting music for the Spanish-language Masses. Unfortunately, there is a huge dearth when it comes to music for the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. I have found that United in Christ/Unidos En Cristo just doesn’t cut it; Flor y Canto has some marginally good pieces, but, some of it is tinged with questionable theology and musicality.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

One important thing to note is that we should also try to maintain sacred silence. Not everything in the Mass has to have dialogue or singing, or even instrumental music. Silence in the Mass, especially after Holy Communion, is important. Silence is not the absence of sound; rather, it gives God a chance to get a word in edgewise.

My biggest concern in my parish is that the music folks seem to want to fill every gap in with music, especially after Holy Communion when the pianist plays the piano.

You are totally right about the value of sacred silence. However, my reason for wanting to start with contemporary christian songs for a solo then move to hymns is to get people zeroed back in on what’s happening at communion. Where I stand on weekends, I see lots of impatient toe-tapping, watch checking, texting (granted, I’m guilty of that at times when in the pews, Lord have mercy on me!) during this sacred time.

I want to raise awareness for the sanctity of what is happening at this time, then gradually move to chant and silence would be my goal for lent of next year.

 

[Phemie]

Hey guys,

I am a brand new appointed music director at my parish. The transition has been crazy since the job was held down by three different people and it has all been amalgamated into one position that I have taken over. At any rate, I’m glad I found this thread!

My biggest concern is growing the music department as a whole, but I also want to use the music to bring a stronger spirituality to the parish. I get a sense of a lack of reverence at communion sometimes, and I have been thinking of ways to focus people in more. How would a small special before the communion hymn go over? Do you think that’s appropriate? A meditative piece done while people are about to receive, and then a hymn after? What have you guys done?

If you look at the GIRM, it’s entirely proper for the choir alone to sing the Communion hymn, but did you ever notice that if a hymn is sung after Communion it’s supposed to be sung by the congregation? Most parishes I’ve been to do exactly the opposite.

I take it you are proposing a choir alone selection starting when the priest receives followed immediately by a congregational hymn until the end of the Communion procession? The idea sounds good but ‘contemporary Christian song’ makes me itch.

 

[Sarabande]

If you look at the GIRM, it’s entirely proper for the choir alone to sing the Communion hymn, but did you ever notice that if a hymn is sung after Communion it’s supposed to be sung by the congregation? Most parishes I’ve been to do exactly the opposite.

You’re right. I don’t think I’ve seen it done the other way around as well. It would make more sense for just the choir alone to sing then to have the congregation sing after Communion since most people will be in line for Communion. I’ve noticed when I cantor that communion usually has the least number of voices singing the hymn. They sing very well for the rest of the mass, but I think it’s because they are all either receiving or praying once they get back to their pew. At my previous parish, if I remember correctly, they used to do the Communion antiphon with the congregation singing the “refrain” to the antiphon, then the choir would sing a motet.