Can You See Me Now?

Orchestras watch their conductor. Choirs follow their director. Marching bands keep an eye on the drum major. Football teams listen to their quarterback…and mass musicians need to follow their director.

Like any good ensemble, a typical music group at mass needs a director. Someone needs to lead. It’s more than just counting off the intro, and it’s certainly more than just picking songs and putting together folders. The director pays attention to every aspect of the music happening at any given moment. Are the drums too busy?  Is the bass too loud?  Is the flute out of tune? Are the singers too far away from their mics? Is something ‘not blending?’ Is it too fast or slow? Or even noticing that it sounds great!

Then, on top of all of that, the director not only directs the musicians but also the assembly. This is very unique to liturgy. Are people singing? Do they seem engaged, or bored?

Some of these things can be remedied ‘on the fly.’ A quick word or a simple gesture…even a look…can convey a lot to another musician. This is why it’s so important that the director is visible by everyone in the group. I, for one, sit at the piano the entire time. It has taken some trial and error to find the best arrangement/setup for everyone so that, at any moment, I can give someone ‘direction.’  See below:

If, for example, I need to tell the rhythm section that we are going to repeat a certain section of a song, or change a chord, or drop out…whatever…I can easily give them a hand signal or simply turn and tell them. I also have direct eye contact with all singers at all times. They can watch me if I want to hold out a chord at the end of a song, or repeat a chorus, or get quieter.

This is not a power trip, but rather a huge responsibility. It should be given to someone who has a strong sense of what liturgical music needs to be. They should also have a solid understanding of balance and blend of instruments and voices.

The director also needs to be able to honestly assess whether or not the music being chosen and played is both effective and appropriate for the Mass. What songs are working and which aren’t?  Why? Are there some areas that need to be addressed?

The director really has a lot of responsibility. The musicians need to be able to have confidence that their ‘leader’ will make good decisions. The assembly needs to be able to trust that you will lead them appropriately and effectively.

Be pastoral, be confident, be prayerful, be joyous, and be willing to try to make your music as effective as it can be.

But, be the director.

Some past posts that you might find useful relating to this one: (see the Blog Archive at the right)

                Ssshhh…you sound GREAT!

                Make Musical, Liturgical Decisions…Not Personal Ones

                How Often Should We Introduce New Music?

                1+1=11

                Music Ministry has its own goal…

                Chart Your Progress(ions)

                Excuse me, FLOw?

 

NOVEMBER 11, 2012 – 32nd SUNDAY in OT (B)

(These songs are off of my planning notes for this particular Sunday, which means I am strongly considering using them on these days. After each title I’ve added some thoughts to consider.)

(Click on titles for links to their respective pages.)

He Lives In Us by Amelia Acosta (WLP) – The verses of this new song can be done by a cantor/soloist, bringing in the assembly on “He lives in us” each time, though the choir and assembly could sing it all. There is a nice pre-chorus as well, longer than usual, so it might be a good idea to begin with the Refrain when singing this song for the first time. That is a technique I often use when teaching a new song. The assembly sings the Refrain, the cantor sings verse 1, and then…they already know the Refrain!  Beautiful song.

                Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Communion, Second Communion

I Will Choose Christ by Tom Booth (OCP) – Classic Tom Booth. The gospel tells us that the poor woman contributed her whole livelihood to the treasury, even though it was a small amount compared to some. The refrain of this song challenges us to give our “hearts, lives, and all” to God.  Start simple, building as the song continues.

                Suggested use: Song of Gathering/Entrance, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion

I Received the Living God by Brett Ballard (WLP) – Another great communion song with many verses. The refrain is simple… easily sung by the assembly. The verses can be divided among different cantors, or alternate between cantor and choir. Again, start simple, especially if used after communion.  Let the song build, adding instruments as you go.

                Suggested use: Second Communion

Offering by Paul Baloche (CCLI) – another great example of Paul Baloche’s fresh-sounding, singable music. Even though the rhythm is very syncopated, I’ve found that the assembly grabs hold of this song quickly. We have only the women sing and the band drop out (just piano continues) at “It’s only by your blood, and it’s only through your mercy…” and bring everyone back in on “Lord, I come.” It’s a nice musical moment. The Refrain begins on a pickup, so it can be tricky when repeating the Refrain, or doing a ‘double chorus.’

                Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion

Praise the Lord, My Soul by Ed Bolduc (WLP) – written in a ‘gospel style,’ this psalm setting has a simple refrain in a comfortable key (F). The verses can be sung ‘as written’ or with soloistic improvisation. Just be careful with the tempo: too slow or too fast and really ruin a gospel feel.

                Suggested use: Responsorial Psalm 

Take My Life by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio (CCLI) – Using Frances Havergal’s classic hymn for the verses, Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio added a nice Refrain to this beautiful song. We’ve split the Refrain into women’s  and men’s parts. The men sing “Here am I.”  The women sing the echo/descant.  Alternate the verses between male and female voices.

                Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion

The Lord Is My Shepherd by Josh Blakesley (spiritandsong.com) – a beautiful text based on Psalm 23 with a wonderful, easily singable melody for both verses and Refrain.

                Suggested Use: Communion, Second Communion

We Bring Our Gifts to Your Altar by Brian Flynn (WLP) – this is a new, contemporary song in a hymn-style format. Four verses with the same music (and a key change) make it easy to learn and sing quickly. As the name indicates, this is a great song for the Offertory/Preparation of the gifts.

                Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory
 

Please share your song ideas with me and I will post as many as I can so we can all share our knowledge of resources. Remember, what works for one parish might not work for another. We should be open-minded to all styles and preferences of music. As long as the music serves the liturgy, it may be listed here.

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