Underscoring...

A few things for this week:



My original blog post here spoke about underscoring the Opening Prayer of the Mass.  Well, as my good friend Craig Colson pointed out to me (!), the GIRM asks that all instruments "should be silent" during any presidential prayer...which includes the Opening Prayer in the Gathering Rite. So, as I do not wish to be in violation of the GIRM I respectfully have removed that portion of this blog. I will create a later, different post about underscoring with a video example in the near future.

I will say that any and all underscoring (playing music underneath), whether during a prayer, liturgy, movie, film, etc., is intended to focus the listener ON the spoken word or event that is taking place and not distract from it. The music is not the focus; rather it is meant to direct one's attention to and enhance something more important. In this case, I was referring to the Opening Prayer. 

In other news...

"Advent Alleluia" - I posted the music for this piece last week and I promised a demo. You can hear that below on the YouTube link. (Thanks to my 5 year old son Caden for providing the percussion for this demo! It was fun...his first time in a 'studio' setting. Sorry he didn't quite catch the meter change to 3/8.  :-)  )
Feel free to alter the melody a little in the second half of the verse if it's too high for the cantor/soloist.



"Advent Holy, Holy" - here is a setting of the new translation based on the melody of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen."  Advent is a nice time to make a change to some different Mass settings. We've been using Mass of Saint Ann for the past year, so we will be doing some new things for the change in the liturgical calendar.  Using something like this enables a 'quick learn' of a new setting, plus it helps create that sense of longing for Christmas by using the melody of a familiar Christmas hymn.





Feel free to use both of these settings.

DECEMBER 16, 2012 – THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (C)

(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.)

Awake, O Sleeper by Ike Ndolo (spiritandsong) – "Awake, O sleeper, arise from slumber!" A good medium-tempo song that works great at entrance, offertory, or closing. (From the CD We are the Beggars.)

Suggested use: Entrance/Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Dismissal

Awake to the Day by Ed Bolduc (WLP) – "We prepare for you, Lord." Be careful not to play the 6/8 time signature like a waltz! Listen to the recording. This song can be used throughout Advent. (From the CD Awake to the Day.)

Suggested use: Entrance/Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Dismissal

Come, Emmanuel by Deanna Light and Paul Tate (WLP) – This song has a recurring melody that ties the verses in with the refrain. Your assembly will love this piece and sing it! There are four verses for the various weeks in Advent, and verse 4 refers to the "baptist's cry." (From the CD Hope in the Lord.)

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

Cry Out with Joy and Gladness by Aaron Thompson (WLP) - a new setting for this week's Psalm response. Though it is more designed for a traditional choir setting, you could adapt it for a contemporary ensemble.

Suggested use: Responsorial Psalm

Emmanuel by Steve Angrisano (OCP) - Steve uses the traditional verses of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and adds a nice, uplifting refrain. I will slow down the tempo a bit when we sing this in comparison to the recorded version. Since the traditional setting of this song is in a minor mode, this major key setting is a much different approach to the same text. (From the CD Never Too Young)

Suggested use: Entrance/Gathering, Song of Preparation/Offertory, Dismissal



Emmanuel, Come to Set Us Free by Jolanda Robertson (WLP) – a nice gospel-style advent song. The refrain can easily be sung by the assembly, while the verses offer the opportunity for some solo interpretations. The repetitive "Watching and waiting for you, O Lord," is a powerful build up to the last Refrain. This piece can be found in the new More Voices As One vol. 1. published by WLP.

Suggested use: Song of Preparation/Offertory, Second Communion

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Traditional) – We only get to sing this song four Sundays out of the year! Your assembly will know it and they will treasure singing it. Consider D minor as an alternative to the typical E minor. Also, be careful not to get too creative with this one, particulary with the melody and the rhythms of the melody. The band can do some interesting things around it, but keep it pretty traditional.

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

Prepare the Way by Tom Booth (OCP) – Based on a simple chord progression this song has an instantly memorable refrain that really sets the tone as a gathering song for Advent.

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

Prepare the Way by Charlie Hall (worshiptogether.com) – A simple melody with a simple chord progression...the repetitive nature of this song enables easy singing by the assembly. It can start simple with a single instrument and build to a full band, and back down again.

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

Ready the Way by Curtis Stephan (spiritandsong) – Beautiful assembly-friendly song that works well in almost every part of the mass. Strip it down to just piano or guitar, or play with a full band...it works great! (From the CD Amid Passing Things)

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

We Await You, O Lord by John Angotti (WLP) – Check out this song by John Angotti, written to be performed with a band or choir...or both. "We await you, O Lord. We keep watching the darkness. You have promised the dawn." Again, the choir or soloists can lead the verses while the assembly comes in strong on the refrain. (From the CD Welcome Home for Christmas)

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

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.