Traditional Wedding Music

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stl1pbr

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My fiancée and I are getting married this coming September and we are having a few problems with the music selections. Let me start of with a intro so you can better understand what we are looking for. We both attend the Traditional Mass in the extraordinary form here in St Louis at an Oratory under the authority of the Institute of Christ the King. However, for our guests and since we will be getting married in another city the mass will be the ordinary form. We are, however, having the organist from the latin mass play at our wedding. He is saying that we can have the propers chanted at our wedding. Now, I know what those are at a latin mass, but I have no idea where they would be placed in a new mass, and what the priest would be doing while they were chanted. The priest saying our wedding mass is very accommodating to our Latin preferences in music, but before I go to him with this, I want to understand what I am talking about. I would ask our organist, but we is way over my head.

Secondly, We are having a hard time with the Responsorial Psalm. I don’t want the run of the mill psalm used all the time. I think they all will sound too cheesy compared to the Chant or grandeur of the pipe organ. Does anyone have any suggestion? I have also heard the the gradual could be used instead? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

These are our selections thus far. Please feel free to comment on them.

Processional - Improvisation by Organist in the French Baroque style, similar to this: youtube.com/watch?v=zZp0f_ETmYQ

Kryrie - from Missa Brevis (Lotti)

Gloria- from Missa de Ángelis Mass VIII

Gospel Acclemation - still looking (any ideas?)

Offertory Procession - looking for something short

Sanctus (Holy Holy Holy) - Missa Brevis (lotti)

Eucharistic Acclamation - still looking

Great Amen

Angus Dei (Lamb of God) - Missa Brevis (Lotti)

Communion - Panis Angelicus

Offering to the Blessed Mother - Ave Maria (Schubert)

Recessional - Same as Processional

Any advice would be so welcomed.

Thanks
 
Several things, in no particular order:
The order of the chants is all laid out in [the GIRM](the GIRM). If you haven’t read it (not long), you should. It’ll answer several of your questions, including, in #61, that the Gradual may be used in place of the responsorial psalm: “In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.”

Alternatively, you can no doubt find a very nice chant-like psalm setting in English from Chabanel Psalms.

You left it off the list, but I assume the Introit will be chanted? The wedding party should process forward first (with your organ music), and then the liturgical ministers – crucifer, servers, priest, et al. – while the Introit is chanted.

What do you need a Gospel acclamation for? Use the proper Alleluia from the Graduale.

The offertory procession should be covered by the proper chant from the Graduale. As the GIRM states, “The procession bringing the gifts is accompanied by the Offertory chant . . . , which continues at least until the gifts have been placed on the altar.”

If you’re okay with a Memorial Acclamation (I assume that’s what you meant by “Eucharistic Acclamation”) in Latin, use the one on page 26 of the Gregorian Missal, available for free download here (pdf).

You do not need a “Great Amen.” If the priest chants the doxology (or even if he doesn’t), a simple “Aaaaa - meeennn” as shown on p. 28 of the Gregorian Missal works just fine.

That’s all I can think of right now, except to say (1) congratulations on your wedding, and (2) do you know whether the Mass itself will be the Mass of the day or a votive Mass? That’ll affect the propers.
 
I forgot to mention: if you want to do it right, the proper Communion chant should be used during the distribution of Holy Communion; if there’s to be a hymn, like Panis Angelicus, it should be sung afterwards.

Also, if for some reason you don’t feel like doing the proper Alleluia from the Graduale, use the simple triple Alleluia in mode VI, which everyone knows, found on page 84 of the Parish Book of Chant (pdf here), along with the proper psalm verse (in English or Latin) from the Lectionary sung to the psalm tone given on the next line. (You can use any of the Alleluia settings, of course, but the mode VI is, I think, both the prettiest and the best known.)
 
Mark, That was extremely helpful. Thank you so much. I do have a few follow up questions.
1.) The link for the GRIM was invalid. I tried to google it but all i got was some Harry Potter stuff.
2.) Our wedding date is 9/18/10. Where would I find the propers for that day online? I can’t seem to find them in my missal.
3.) also, what do you mean by votive mass? Do you mean where we pick the reading?
3.) As far as the Introit is concerned. Are you saying that the wedding party marches into the music that I previously mention in my first post “Procession?” Then the introit is chanted as the priest walks in?
4.) Thanks for mentioning the communion proper. I forgot about that.

Thanks again.
 
stl1pbr said:
Mark, That was extremely helpful. Thank you so much. I do have a few follow up questions.
1.) The link for the GRIM was invalid. I tried to google it but all i got was some Harry Potter stuff.
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I realize that I typed GRIM not GIRM. wow, sorry it’s late.
 
  1. Oh, sorry, I copied the wrong thing into the link box. This link should work; you should read at least through Chapter II, Part III, concerning The Individual Parts of the Mass.
  2. See Chapter VII of the GIRM. Okay, so, September 18 is a Saturday; it’s an optional memorial of the BVM, but nothing else. (It’s also Yom Kippur, so mazel tov.) A BVM memorial is always nice for a wedding Mass.
I should let someone else answer which the propers should be in the OF for your Mass. I’m not even positive what the options are, i.e. whether there’s a specific votive nuptial Mass. This is something your celebrant should be able to help you with. You can also probably get very accurate answers from the commenters at the MusicaSacra Forum, many of whom are actually experts in this.
  1. No, by votive Mass I mean this. As to the readings, unless it’s a solemnity or a Sunday, the GIRM states, “In Masses with special groups, the priest is allowed to choose texts more suited to the particular celebration, provided they are taken from the texts of an approved lectionary.” That covers weddings.
3bis. As I understand it, that’s correct. Since the wedding party are not liturgical ministers, they should come in before the priest.
  1. You’re welcome!
 
Unless you are getting married on Saturday evening, you don’t need to have the Gloria for the wedding Mass. As far as the Ordinary of the Mass is concerned, why not use Jubilate Deo? You can find it at this link:

adoremus.org/JubilateDeo.html

You could use one of the psalms for the Nuptial Mass. These are found in the Lectionary, as are the choices for the Gospel Acclamation.

Down here, a lot of the brides chose the Ave Maria as the offertory. When my cousin got married, I moved it to after the post-Communion prayer so that she could offer her bouquet to the Blessed Mother. As the recessional, you could very well have the Salve Regina chanted. I hope this helps.
 
benedictgal said:
As far as the Ordinary of the Mass is concerned, why not use Jubilate Deo?
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Mediocrity?

😉

Seriously, though, unless you’re a real chant freak, if you are already going to have chanted propers for a wedding, why would you forgo a polyphonic ordinary for a chanted ordinary?
 
MarkThompson said:
Mediocrity?

😉

Seriously, though, unless you’re a real chant freak, if you are already going to have chanted propers for a wedding, why would you forgo a polyphonic ordinary for a chanted ordinary?
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However, Jublate Deo is simple enough for the faithful to pick up. Ideally, the faithful should be making the responses during the Mass. The simpler, the better.
 
benedictgal said:
However, Jublate Deo is simple enough for the faithful to pick up. Ideally, the faithful should be making the responses during the Mass. The simpler, the better.
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With the exception of the Ite Missa Est, there are no responses to the Ordinary of the Mass, though (I know you love responsorial Glorias, BG). Your point would make sense if you were planning to teach the parts of the Ordinary to the congregation, but I’m guessing that’s not the case here for this one-time liturgy. Weddings, by the way, are a perfect example of an occasion when it’s fine to use something out of our inestimable treasury of polyphonic Mass settings and, for once, not worry about congregational participation.
 
MarkThompson said:
With the exception of the Ite Missa Est, there are no responses to the Ordinary of the Mass, though (I know you love responsorial Glorias, BG). Your point would make sense if you were planning to teach the parts of the Ordinary to the congregation, but I’m guessing that’s not the case here for this one-time liturgy. Weddings, by the way, are a perfect example of an occasion when it’s fine to use something out of our inestimable treasury of polyphonic Mass settings and, for once, not worry about congregational participation.
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I would beg to differ with you on your last statement. I have been to wedding Masses where the celebrant will stop the Mass and inform the faithful in attendance, the Catholic faithful, that they need to make the responses. The Mass has dialogue parts; it’s not a monologue. Thus, if the OP will be using Latin and if there is only the organist, there needs to be a means for the faithful to make the responses. Jubilate Deo offers the most basic means, short of using the vernacular.
 
benedictgal said:
I would beg to differ with you on your last statement. I have been to wedding Masses where the celebrant will stop the Mass and inform the faithful in attendance, the Catholic faithful, that they need to make the responses. The Mass has dialogue parts; it’s not a monologue. Thus, if the OP will be using Latin and if there is only the organist, there needs to be a means for the faithful to make the responses. Jubilate Deo offers the most basic means, short of using the vernacular.
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Ah, we may be talking about different things. I thought you were talking about the Ordinary of the Mass, which comprises the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. (The Benedictus and Ite Missa Est are sometimes counted separately.) This wedding Mass, I think, shouldn’t have a Credo nor, as you pointed out (good catch) a Gloria. That leaves the Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. It’s permissible for all of those to be done by a choir or schola alone; there’s no need for congregational responses at all.

Were you thinking of the preface dialogue (Lift up your hearts / We lift them up to the Lord, etc.) maybe? I’m not sure what you meant by “dialogue parts”; the only parts of the Ordinary which have any “dialogue” aspect are the Kyrie (it’s not required for the congregation to be able to participate, though) and the Ite Missa Est.
 
MarkThompson said:
Ah, we may be talking about different things. I thought you were talking about the Ordinary of the Mass, which comprises the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. (The Benedictus and Ite Missa Est are sometimes counted separately.) This wedding Mass, I think, shouldn’t have a Credo nor, as you pointed out (good catch) a Gloria. That leaves the Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. It’s permissible for all of those to be done by a choir or schola alone; there’s no need for congregational responses at all.

Were you thinking of the preface dialogue (Lift up your hearts / We lift them up to the Lord, etc.) maybe? I’m not sure what you meant by “dialogue parts”; the only parts of the Ordinary which have any “dialogue” aspect are the Kyrie (it’s not required for the congregation to be able to participate, though) and the Ite Missa Est.
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Actually, I do not believe the OP did not mention a choir, only the organist. Thus, the parts of the Mass should be chanted by the faithful and not merely a cantor. Down here, the faitihful at these wedding Masses were pretty much quiet. The celebrant would say the offertory prayers and there was silence. He would begin the Dominus vobiscum at the preface and again, silence. At that point, he told them that he would either switch languages, if they did not understand English. If they knew the prayers and responses in the given language, he expected them to recite/chant them.
 
Oh, maybe that was the confusion – a “Lotti Missa Brevis” isn’t like, you know, a “Haugen Mass” or a “Proulx Mass.” Unless your congregation is a choir, there’s no congregational participation. They’re polyphonic pieces with no congregational antiphon or easily singable line. Here is an example a Lotti Missa Brevis; you’ll see why I’m so sure there’s going to be a choir. 🙂

Edited to add: oops, I posted one thing and then edited over it instead of adding to it. What I had said was, there’ll definitely be a choir, or there won’t be any Lotti Missa Brevis.
 
MarkThompson said:
Oh, maybe that was the confusion – a “Lotti Missa Brevis” isn’t like, you know, a “Haugen Mass” or a “Proulx Mass.” Unless your congregation is a choir, there’s no congregational participation. They’re polyphonic pieces with no congregational antiphon or easily singable line. Here is an example a Lotti Missa Brevis; you’ll see why I’m so sure there’s going to be a choir. 🙂

Edited to add: oops, I posted one thing and then edited over it instead of adding to it. What I had said was, there’ll definitely be a choir, or there won’t be any Lotti Missa Brevis.
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I re-read the OP, and there was no mention of a choir. Thus, it would be difficult to do a Lotti Missa Brevis if there is only a cantor/organist.

To the OP: Why not ask if the priest from your parish can celebrate the nuptial Mass? All that is needed is an exchange of paperwork between the dioceses in question, along with prior delegation from the pastor of the parish where your wedding will take place. This might help.
 
benedictgal said:
I re-read the OP, and there was no mention of a choir. Thus, it would be difficult to do a Lotti Missa Brevis if there is only a cantor/organist.

To the OP: Why not ask if the priest from your parish can celebrate the nuptial Mass? All that is needed is an exchange of paperwork between the dioceses in question, along with prior delegation from the pastor of the parish where your wedding will take place. This might help.
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Well, the OP didn’t say, “There will be a choir,” but he said that Lotti’s Missa Brevis will be used, so by implication either (1) there will be a choir, or (2) the OP was mistaken/lying, and the Lotti won’t be used. I was proceeding on the assumption that (1) was true.

And to the OP, if the Missa Brevis you’re planning is the one I linked to above (I think Lotti may have written more than one), it’s very pretty and eminently doable for a moderately skilled choir, so it’s a good choice. I hope you’re aware, though, that not every choir is able to do Gregorian chant, and that not everyone who’s able to do Gregorian chant is skilled enough to do justice to parts like the Gradual (which you mentioned wanting as a substitute for the responsorial psalm). So I hope you know what you need in terms of musicians.
 
Wow, that was a lot of information. In short, yes, there will be a choir. The organist and the choir will be coming form St Francis de Sales for the mass. They are excellent. One of the reasons for the latin and chant is that we specifically wanted to limit the congregations involvement in the signing, basically because no one ever sings at these things. The choir is trained in this, and do a wonderful job. We are really blessed to have them at our wedding. Mark, I like you ideas.

Here is a link to the Lotti Missa Brevis that the choir master has suggested.

Kyrie

youtube.com/watch?v=lf9_ZOWtjlQ

Sanctus

youtube.com/watch?v=VQ15XdB3dtI&playnext_from=TL&videos=SuXf7mMbmlE

The priest that will be marrying us has also given permission for the Gloria to be included.

Now, I am just trying to find the propers of the day so that I can use the Gradual, Introit, Alleluia, and Communion propers.

I need to reread what you mentioned about the offertory, We will be using Ave Marie for the prayers before the Blessed Mother.
 
Hi,

I am a cantor at a small parish. From the masses I’ve sang at I would recommend the following: for the gospel acclamation the Celtic Alleluia (ask me if you would like to hear this, there is an midi file). There is are wedding verses for the Celtic Alleluia also. When you say Eucharistic acclamation do you mean the mass parts? I would recommend spoken mass parts, or the common and most known are the Mass Of Creation by Marty Haugen.

I would also recommend the rare hymn The Gift of love maybe after communion during meditation.

I’m happy to answer any questions!
 
seano14 said:
Hi,

I am a cantor at a small parish. From the masses I’ve sang at I would recommend the following: for the gospel acclamation the Celtic Alleluia (ask me if you would like to hear this, there is an midi file). There is are wedding verses for the Celtic Alleluia also. When you say Eucharistic acclamation do you mean the mass parts? I would recommend spoken mass parts, or the common and most known are the Mass Of Creation by Marty Haugen.

I would also recommend the rare hymn The Gift of love maybe after communion during meditation.

I’m happy to answer any questions!
Click to expand...
I would not use Marty Haugen’s Mass of Creation because it does take liberties with the official texts of the Mass. Just because it’s common and know, that does not necessarily make it licit. What I used for my cousin’s wedding was the setting written by the late Richard Proulx, A Community Mass. It is faithful to the text. I also avoided the Celtic Alleluia like the plague.

The Eucharistic Acclamations would be the Sanctus, the Memorial and the Great Amen.
 
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