Music leaders, show us your song list - NEW!!

[grandeorgue]

I changed some of the songs for the Immaculate Conception 12/8:

Opening Song: Immaculate Mary
Offertory: O Sanctissima
Communion: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - thanks benedictgal for your suggestion!
Closing: Sing of Mary

 

[CatholicZ09]

Here is my song line-up for Sunday, December 13, 2009 (Third Sunday of Advent):

Opening Song: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus (tune of STUTTGART)
Offertory: Come, Come Emmanuel by James Chepponis
Missa Emmanuel by Proulx
Communion: Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming
Closing: People, Look East

What do you think?

I’m having trouble finding a suitable psalm for this Sunday (Psalm = Isaiah 12:2-6). I’m not a big fan of OCP, so I’m not using the Respond & Acclaim for this Sunday. Does anyone have any suggestions? What are you using? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Wow, you practically have the same hymns I’m using! Um, I can’t really help on the psalm issue (I use Respond and Acclaim) haha. Maybe you could write your own if you’re good at it? Some people posted on here that they write their own.

I really have a difficult time with “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.” It seems like a “cross-over” (it can be used either in Advent or Christmas) and I think that’s what it is. “People, Look East” is perfect for Advent (especially the Third Sunday) and “Come Thou, Long Expected Jesus” is another great choice. I never heard of “Come, Come, Emmanuel” by James Chepponis. Anyways, all are awesome picks!

 

[grandeorgue]

I usually write my own psalm probably about 50% of the time. I think this is a rather difficult psalm to use though.

 

[agapewolf]

I’m looking at the keyboard accompaniment for “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and I think I’m going to add some notes in the music because I hear some extra notes added in in some versions and it sounds a little better than the one I have. (It’s from OCP). Has anyone ever done that?

I never use any acommpaniment given…unless there are no chord charts. Many times the accompaniment is for the organ, and is just block chords. I find accompaniments either too busy, or too repetitive. I just improvise on the chords…and use the piano as a conducting tool.

 

[CatholicZ09]

This is what my organist used. I really loved them:

Sunday, December 6th, 2009 - Year C

Processional Hymn: #36 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Preparation of the Gifts: #71 Every Valley
Communion Hymn: #52 Christ, Circle Round Us
Recessional Hymn: #74 Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates

 

[CatholicZ09]

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 - Immaculate Conception - Year C

Processional Hymn: #206 Immaculate Mary
Preparation of the Gifts: #853 Gospel Canticle (Magnificat)
Communion Hymn: #215 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence (Thanks benedictgal! )
Recessional Hymn: #65 See How the Virgin Waits

Sunday, December 13th, 2009 - Third Sunday of Advent - Year C

Processional Hymn: #36 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Preparation of the Gifts: #59 The Advent of our King
Communion Hymn: #98 Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming
Recessional Hymn: #47 People, Look East

 

[CatholicZ09]

Went to Mass last night. This is what my organist used for the Immaculate Conception:

Processional Hymn: #206 Immaculate Mary
Preparation of the Gifts: #715 Sing of Mary
Communion Hymn: #599 Cry of the Poor
Recessional Hymn: #207 Hail, Holy Queen

 

[pnewton]

Went to Mass last night. This is what my organist used for the Immaculate Conception:

Processional Hymn: #206 Immaculate Mary
Preparation of the Gifts: #715 Sing of Mary
Communion Hymn: #599 Cry of the Poor
Recessional Hymn: #207 Hail, Holy Queen

I am going to use:

Immaculate Mary
Hail Mary Gentle Woman
Sing of Mary
O Sanctissima
Hail Holy Queen

I have not yet decided on a Communion hymn.

 

[benedictgal]

Went to Mass last night. This is what my organist used for the Immaculate Conception:

Processional Hymn: #206 Immaculate Mary
Preparation of the Gifts: #715 Sing of Mary
Communion Hymn: #599 Cry of the Poor
Recessional Hymn: #207 Hail, Holy Queen

It seems as though this was the standard OCP selection, at least for Communion. I would not have chosen Cry of the Poor. Unfortunately, our new music director replaced Immaculate Mary with Hail Mary/Gentle Woman, not a good choice as far as I was concerned.

 

[CatholicZ09]

It seems as though this was the standard OCP selection, at least for Communion. I would not have chosen Cry of the Poor. Unfortunately, our new music director replaced Immaculate Mary with Hail Mary/Gentle Woman, not a good choice as far as I was concerned.

If “Immaculate Mary” was cut from the list and replaced with “Hail Mary/Gentle Woman” I would’ve been mad. “The Cry of the Poor” does make sense with this feast day, in terms of the Gospel reading. And yes, looking in my planner (we use the same one) “The Cry of the Poor” was one of the selections OCP gave out.

 

[hosea]

I usually write my own psalm probably about 50% of the time. I think this is a rather difficult psalm to use though.

We will be using “We shall draw water joyfully” by Paul Inwood. It is based on Isaiah 12 but the refrain is drawn from a different part of the Book. The refrain called out in the readings is actually in the 3rd verse of the song so I think it should be ok.It goes back a long way so the people are pretty comfortable with it. Otherwise, Journeysongs only has one other Isaiah setting and it is in Spanish.

Would anyone like to comment on the directive from the Vatican back in Aug ‘08 that states we are not to use “Yahweh” in any Liturgical setting (including music). There is a pretty detailed explanation here:
ocp.org/directive08/
The directive effects one of my choices for this weekend, Michael Joncas’ “Let the King of Glory come.” The first verse uses the word so we will start with verse 2. It is so interesting how the scriptures are never done being interpreted and that we often revert to the Hebrew interpretation. Please check out the link above and tell us what you think.
peace,
Hosea

 

[benedictgal]

We will be using “We shall draw water joyfully” by Paul Inwood. It is based on Isaiah 12 but the refrain is drawn from a different part of the Book. The refrain called out in the readings is actually in the 3rd verse of the song so I think it should be ok.It goes back a long way so the people are pretty comfortable with it. Otherwise, Journeysongs only has one other Isaiah setting and it is in Spanish.

Would anyone like to comment on the directive from the Vatican back in Aug ‘08 that states we are not to use “Yahweh” in any Liturgical setting (including music). There is a pretty detailed explanation here:
ocp.org/directive08/
The directive effects one of my choices for this weekend, Michael Joncas’ “Let the King of Glory come.” The first verse uses the word so we will start with verse 2. It is so interesting how the scriptures are never done being interpreted and that we often revert to the Hebrew interpretation. Please check out the link above and tell us what you think.
peace,
Hosea

Actually, this directive stems from eight years ago, as it comes from the authoritative document of the Holy See, Liturgiam Authenticam.

Here is what it states:

c) in accordance with immemorial tradition, which indeed is already evident in the above-mentioned “Septuagint” version, the name of almighty God expressed by the Hebrew tetragrammaton (YHWH) and rendered in Latin by the word Dominus, is to be rendered into any given vernacular by a word equivalent in meaning.

Contrary to what others have said in previous threads, this does apply to the liturgy.

When I contacted the USCCB to complain about the OCP descrepancies in the parts of the Mass and how they violated LA (paraphrases of the propers of the Mass), I was informed that they USCCB had sent to the Holy See the directory for music required under LA. This was three years ago and I suspect that this was the document that Archbishop Ranjinth alluded to when he told me that Rome was going to be fixing some of the problems with the music here in the United States.

My guestimation is that one of the songs using the tetragrammaton was included in the list and that is what caught the eye of the CDWDS. In fact, one of the persons on the selection committee for the USCCB is an SLJ so that would come as no surprise. Hence, this would explain why the Congregation fired off a letter to reiterate the prohibition of the use of the tetragrammaton.

OCP had just as much access to the documents as anyone else since these are available online. In fact, when I read Dan Schutte’s response to the whole thing, I found it rather troubling. Unfortunately, the way his website works you can’t cut and paste, but, OCP does have that link.

Regarding next week’s hymn selection, why not use “Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates” as the recessional. It’s pretty and quite triumphant.

 

[pnewton]

If “Immaculate Mary” was cut from the list and replaced with “Hail Mary/Gentle Woman” I would’ve been mad. “The Cry of the Poor” does make sense with this feast day, in terms of the Gospel reading.

For the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, one would think this would be one hymn that is on the nose.

 

[benedictgal]

For the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, one would think this would be one hymn that is on the nose.

You would think that, but, the music director seriously dropped the ball.

 

[CatholicZ09]

Regarding next week’s hymn selection, why not use “Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates” as the recessional. It’s pretty and quite triumphant.

I never really knew how triumphant “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” really was until my organist played it for the recessional last Sunday. It’s truly majestic!

 

[Sarabande]

I never really knew how triumphant “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” really was until my organist played it for the recessional last Sunday. It’s truly majestic!

Totally agree! Isn’t it so awesome when you come across a work that you’ve known for a while and a musician can bring out something in it that totally sweeps you away? You should share your sentiments with your organist. I’m sure he’d appreciate your comment very much, as musicians tend to be criticised and nitpicked in both secular and sacred realms than anything else.

 

[hosea]

Regarding next week’s hymn selection, why not use “Lift Up Your Heads, O Mighty Gates” as the recessional. It’s pretty and quite triumphant.

We will certainly check out Lift up your heads, o mighty gates for the future. This week we are leading other choirs so I will stay with what they all know. This parrish leans toward the more contemporary styles (I’m a big contributor to that. I love the contemporary stuff) so I know they will enjoy the Joncas piece as will the faithful and the clergy. We will just avoid the first verse.

I love the comments on Lift up your heads…though so I will definately give it a try.

Interesting that the USCCB seems to be 8 years behind the Vatican. disturbing.

thanks,
H

 

[benedictgal]

We will certainly check out Lift up your heads, o mighty gates for the future. This week we are leading other choirs so I will stay with what they all know. This parrish leans toward the more contemporary styles (I’m a big contributor to that. I love the contemporary stuff) so I know they will enjoy the Joncas piece as will the faithful and the clergy. We will just avoid the first verse.

I love the comments on Lift up your heads…though so I will definately give it a try.

Interesting that the USCCB seems to be 8 years behind the Vatican. disturbing.

thanks,
H

No, it wasn’t so much that the USCCB was eight years behind the Vatican; rather, it was OCP. The bing problem wiht the USCCB is that the actual office of Divine Worship is a two-person operation with administrative support staff. It is a daunting job for the Secretary and his assistant to be the ones having to review everything that comes across their desks.

In my research, I did find something rather interesting that the CDWDS wrote in a letter addressed to the USCCB back in 2001 regarding its observations concerning the proposed American adaptations to the GIRM:

As to the provision for n. 393, the Congregation appreciates the evident intent to encourage a new era of responsible creativity among liturgical musicians and composers, and has no difficulty in principle with a provision for the submission of texts of the Gloria, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the acclamations and responses (perhaps more simply “the musical settings for the various parts of the Order of Mass”) as well as other rites to the Conference’s Secretariat for the Liturgy prior to publication. At the same time, it would ask the Bishops to extend the same provision to the melodies. It is clear that according to the past implicit criteria which it has developed, the Conference would not approve banalizing settings or others that conflict with the liturgical spirit. Moreover, at a juncture when new compositions are to be made, it seems prudent to set in place a filter to exclude inappropriate settings for the future. For the implementation of this norm of the Institutio Generalis, the Congregation is willing to sanction internal legislation at the level of working regulations (not requiring the formal recognitio of the Holy See), whereby the Conference regulates this matter as they do copyright, liturgical edition design and other matters in a case-by-case manner through the Liturgy Secretariat or any other appropriate organ of their devising

Thus, the CDWDS is concerned not only about the fidelity of the text, but, also about the particular music to which the prayers are set.

There was also something else. In another thread, we (not necessarily you and me, but, the universal “we”) entered into a rather spirited debate regarding the allowance of certain instruments. This is what the CDWDS observed:

Certain other provisions seem to require further study and specification before being introduced as adapting legislation. What is said here may be understood to apply to nn. 301, 304, 326, 329, 339, 343, and the portion of n. 393 referring to approved musical instruments. In cases where the Conference of Bishops is to legislate, such legislation should be truly specific, and the law intends precisely that any particular episcopal legislation on these matters be enacted in common by the Bishops of the Conference rather than being left to be determined variously in different dioceses. In the absence of any particular legislation on such a matter, specifications contained in the universal law maintain their full force. In other words, the Conference of Bishops may name specific materials or instruments as suitable in addition to those universally deemed so, but in the absence of such specification, only the “traditional” materials or those otherwise specified in the Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani are to be regarded as approved.

So, as I read it, the determination is not necessarily made (nor does the CDWDS encourage it to be made) by the individual diocesan bishop; rather, it should be done by the Conference of Bishops. In the absence of any clear-cut conference policy, then the default goes to the Universal Norms.

 

[NebraskaLawyer]

Unfortunately, our Mass last night for Immaculate Conception was cancelled due to a very dangerous snow storm in the area. This was my plan, though:

Hymn at the Entrance: Immaculate Mary (LOURDES HYMN)

Kyrie: Simple Tone Mass (plainsong, mode iii) in Greek

Gloria: Simple Tone Mass, Psalm tone adapted by Kurt Poterack (plainsong, mode i), in English

Responsorial Psalm: “Sing to the Lord a new song,” by Aristotle Esguerra (plainsong, mode v) in English

Gospel Acclamation: Advent Mass I from the Graduale Simplex, verse Luke 1:28 set to psalm tone (plainsong, mode iv) in English

Offertory Antiphon: “Ave Maria, gratia plena” from Graduale Romanum (plainsong, mode viii), in Latin

Reflection at the Offertory: Marian Antiphon “Alma redemptoris mater” (plainsong, mode v), in English and Latin

Sanctus, Mysterium Fidei, and Agnus Dei: Simple Tone Mass, in English

Communion Antiphon: “Gloriosa dicta sunt” from Graduale Romanum (plainsong, mode viii), verses from Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55, adapted by Richard Rice (plainsong, mode viii), all in Latin

Hymn at the Communion: Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly (PLEADING SAVIOR)

Reflection after Communion: Marion Antiphon, “Salve Regina” (plainsong, mode v) in English and Latin

Hymn at the Recessional: Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above (SALVE REGINA COELITUM

Postlude: Improvisation on SALVE REGINA COELITUM

I’m disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to do it. I’ll save the plan for December 8 next year.

–
Jeff

 

[Sarabande]

Unfortunately, our Mass last night for Immaculate Conception was cancelled due to a very dangerous snow storm in the area. This was my plan, though:

Hymn at the Entrance: Immaculate Mary (LOURDES HYMN)

Kyrie: Simple Tone Mass (plainsong, mode iii) in Greek

Gloria: Simple Tone Mass, Psalm tone adapted by Kurt Poterack (plainsong, mode i), in English

Responsorial Psalm: “Sing to the Lord a new song,” by Aristotle Esguerra (plainsong, mode v) in English

Gospel Acclamation: Advent Mass I from the Graduale Simplex, verse Luke 1:28 set to psalm tone (plainsong, mode iv) in English

Offertory Antiphon: “Ave Maria, gratia plena” from Graduale Romanum (plainsong, mode viii), in Latin

Reflection at the Offertory: Marian Antiphon “Alma redemptoris mater” (plainsong, mode v), in English and Latin

Sanctus, Mysterium Fidei, and Agnus Dei: Simple Tone Mass, in English

Communion Antiphon: “Gloriosa dicta sunt” from Graduale Romanum (plainsong, mode viii), verses from Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55, adapted by Richard Rice (plainsong, mode viii), all in Latin

Hymn at the Communion: Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly (PLEADING SAVIOR)

Reflection after Communion: Marion Antiphon, “Salve Regina” (plainsong, mode v) in English and Latin

Hymn at the Recessional: Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above (SALVE REGINA COELITUM

Postlude: Improvisation on SALVE REGINA COELITUM

I’m disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to do it. I’ll save the plan for December 8 next year.

–
Jeff

This sounds like it would have been a beautiful and prayerful mass.