I’m sure most (if not all) of you have your song selections pretty much set for this weekend, but in case you are still open to some suggestions, I'd like to share some songs I think work really well:
Rise Up In Splendor, by Tom Booth
- published by spiritandsong.com
I have always liked this song. The refrain is simple, singable, and can be used as a call and response if so desired. Verse one states so clearly, “Though darkness covers and we are blinded by sin our God shall save us and we shall walk in the light.” This is a great entrance song, might also be used at preparation.
( http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/31001 )
Rise Up In Splendor, by Aaron Thompson
- published by World Library Publications
Get some percussion going and some singers who can hold their own and this is a great opening to the Mass on Epiphany Sunday. You’ll want to teach the refrain and verse parts to the assembly (they’re the same) so they can truly participate. ( http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/12126.htm )
Lord, Every Nation, by Jesse Manibusan
- published by spiritandsong.com
I love the feel and melody of this song. The verses are powerful and singable for all, though a soloist would serve them well. The refrain is very singable, especially for a Psalm setting. I seem to use this song whenever I get the chance! ( http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/31001 )
Christmas Offering, by Paul Baloche
- published by Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
The original version of this song was just called “Offering,” a beautiful text and melody that seemed to fit almost any time. Ref: “I bring an offering of worship to my king...” With the added verse text it is perfect for use on Epiphany: “Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star while angels sang to lowly shepherds.” I really encourage you to check out this song. Here is a very brief article along with some free downloads that Paul Baloche himself had written back in 2004.
( http://leadworship.com/resources/ChristmasOffering.html )
Please feel free to share some of your ideas with me.
Ed
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
MASSive Undertaking...
I just received the proofs of Mass of St. Ann–my new setting of the Mass for 2012. (Advent 2011) It got me thinking of the creative process I went through while setting the new text. Here was something I was so used to playing and singing a certain way...the rhythm of the words, the rise and fall of each phrase...and how some parts of it will be changed so dramatically. I can’t help but wonder what it will be like when we start teaching the “new” Mass parts. How long will it take before they once again become second nature to us all?
Perhaps the way we present them to our parishes will make all of the difference. In the weeks leading up to Advent, maybe we should introduce one or two new acclamations before Mass. Maybe we should hold a couple of evenings where we invite the congregation to attend “sing-throughs” of the new parts. Whichever the case, whether or not we ourselves are enthusiastic about the changes, we need to show enthusiasm when presenting them. It’s a great opportunity for catechesis; a great opportunity to share a little of why we sing what we sing when we sing it!
Perhaps the way we present them to our parishes will make all of the difference. In the weeks leading up to Advent, maybe we should introduce one or two new acclamations before Mass. Maybe we should hold a couple of evenings where we invite the congregation to attend “sing-throughs” of the new parts. Whichever the case, whether or not we ourselves are enthusiastic about the changes, we need to show enthusiasm when presenting them. It’s a great opportunity for catechesis; a great opportunity to share a little of why we sing what we sing when we sing it!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Voices Only, Please!
Last week at my parish of St. Ann's we had our 2nd annual Christmas Sing-Along. The church was filled, the lights were low, the candles (lots!) were lit and we sang our hearts out. It was beautiful! Piano, trumpet, flute, and 1000 voices filled the night with carols, songs, and hymns.
Maybe that's what inspired me to lead the Psalm on Sunday with no instrumentation! I had planned on writing a new setting for “Lord, Come and Save Us,” but with so much going on...concerts, NFCYM in New Orleans...I never got around to it. I had a nice simple melody for the refrain, but nothing for the verses. So, I decided to chant it from the ambo! I could almost hear everyone’s eyebrows raise as I got up from the piano and walked up the steps to lead the Psalm. They all probably thought I was going to fix the microphone or something. Instead, I just started singing–and everyone immediately followed. It was perfectly natural. No piano; no band...just voices.
That was a stretch for me. I am used to the security of being seated at the piano– not standing at the ambo with a light focused on me and nothing to do with my hands! But I have to say, it was pretty cool. It was a nice change from what we normally would do at that contemporary mass. It was good for the assembly, good for the band, and good for me, too.
And it sounded great...!!!
Maybe that's what inspired me to lead the Psalm on Sunday with no instrumentation! I had planned on writing a new setting for “Lord, Come and Save Us,” but with so much going on...concerts, NFCYM in New Orleans...I never got around to it. I had a nice simple melody for the refrain, but nothing for the verses. So, I decided to chant it from the ambo! I could almost hear everyone’s eyebrows raise as I got up from the piano and walked up the steps to lead the Psalm. They all probably thought I was going to fix the microphone or something. Instead, I just started singing–and everyone immediately followed. It was perfectly natural. No piano; no band...just voices.
That was a stretch for me. I am used to the security of being seated at the piano– not standing at the ambo with a light focused on me and nothing to do with my hands! But I have to say, it was pretty cool. It was a nice change from what we normally would do at that contemporary mass. It was good for the assembly, good for the band, and good for me, too.
And it sounded great...!!!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Do you hear what THEY hear?
So, this past Sunday, 5 minutes before Mass was to begin, we were still trying to figure out why the musicians had NO monitors at all. With electric instruments, including drums, the only thing we could hear was the piano, and that was kind of quiet since we keep the lid down. Now, our church was recently renovated and has a pretty sophisticated sound system installed. When everything is functioning properly it’s pretty cool. In this case, however, there was a problem. I haven’t been involved in that part of the Audio/Visual Ministry at all since the redesign, so when the sound tech told me that we didn’t have monitors because the “wireless network” was down my immediate thought was: “...um...what? Did you just say ‘wireless network?’” It seems that, yes, there is a wireless network involved in our sound system. (I guess I’d better get more involved in that part of the A/V Ministry.)
ANYway...eventually we figured it out (unplugged cable), but not until much later. In the meantime everyone had to really listen carefully to what was coming out of the main speakers. The result? Coolness! (from a singing perspective) For the first time I heard the assembly really sing on “Awake to the Day,” which was our Song of Gathering. The assembly part in the verse was so present to me for the first time. We were literally all hearing the same thing at the same time. No headphones, no blaring floor wedges...nothing but what was coming out of the house speakers and the assembly’s voices.
It reminded me that, from time to time, it’s so important to ‘take a listen’ to what the assembly hears. Sure, the sound techs do that all the time, but as Music Directors we need to do the same on a regular basis. Step out front when you can...let the musicians carry the song while you sit in the pew for a moment. Listen to how you and the band/choir are “setting the tone.”
ANYway...eventually we figured it out (unplugged cable), but not until much later. In the meantime everyone had to really listen carefully to what was coming out of the main speakers. The result? Coolness! (from a singing perspective) For the first time I heard the assembly really sing on “Awake to the Day,” which was our Song of Gathering. The assembly part in the verse was so present to me for the first time. We were literally all hearing the same thing at the same time. No headphones, no blaring floor wedges...nothing but what was coming out of the house speakers and the assembly’s voices.
It reminded me that, from time to time, it’s so important to ‘take a listen’ to what the assembly hears. Sure, the sound techs do that all the time, but as Music Directors we need to do the same on a regular basis. Step out front when you can...let the musicians carry the song while you sit in the pew for a moment. Listen to how you and the band/choir are “setting the tone.”
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