Mass of a New Era, MVAO...it just keeps comin...

Today, I had the privilege of working with a new and upcoming young artist, Rachel Frazier, recording a new Mass setting she has written: Mass of a New Era. It is being published by World Library Publications and will be featured in the WLP showcase at NPM. I am excited to say that this is a fresh-sounding, easy to sing collection of acclamations. In a nutshell, I'm pretty sure this is like nothing you've ever heard in a Mass setting!  The chord changes are not typical, but not foreign or too unusual. The melodies are simple, but not overly so...an important aspect of assembly-friendly melodies. The arrangements are fresh, easy, and sound great! Guitarists and drummers are gonna love this one!  (Don't worry keyboardists...I gotcha covered...there are piano parts.  :-)  )

A really cool feature is that almost every acclamation is call and response. (Kyrie, Alleluia, Holy, When We Eat..., We Proclaim..., Save Us..., and Amen)  Recently, we've all come to share the task of teaching new mass parts to our assemblies. With Mass of a New Era they will be singing immediately with either a soloist or a section intoning the parts. This is a great opportunity to feature some cantors who can capture the style.

This is also helpful when leading music for a Mass at a parish or a retreat where not everyone is familiar with the same Mass setting. Even if they've never heard Mass of a New Era before, they'll be able to sing right away.

And, of course, the Glory to God moves right along without a lot of unnecessary pauses, and the Refrain is so easy.

While you will be lending your own voices to the music in your parishes, Rachel's singing on the recording is very unique, original, and impressive. (Actually, while the band recorded the tracks, she was supposed to be singing a scratch vocal for reference, which we would replace later. Well, after hearing the first, almost 'flawless' take, we decided to change our setup and she sang every vocal live with the band. No scratch vocals!)

So, keep an eye out for this one. It's cool. It's different. It's good.

I will post some samples when I get them. The music is in editing!

ALSO...

I was so excited to receive my copies of the More Voices As One guitar and keyboard books along with the 2-Disc CD set. There is some great music in here! I personally had the privilege of working closely with this collection.  Please, please take the some to visit www.voicesasone.com and check out some samples.  CLICK THIS LINK!!!  Find out what treasures are inside this ongoing collection: songs by Danielle Rose, John Angotti, Jacob and Matthew Band, Brian Flynn, Aaron Thompson, Cliff Petty..and more. (me, too.)  Just get the CD's and the keyboard book, listen, and flip through the pages. Mark the ones that you think will work for you and try them out when you get a chance.  I think you will find some wonderful things you have been missing.

EASTER PLANNING

I just want to share a thought or two with you about music for Easter Sunday (and, perhaps, the Triduum.)  A lot of contemporary groups tend to usually stick to what they are used to- modern settings of hymn tunes, contemporary songs, etc.  Easter Sunday is one of those special times when we can, and maybe should, stretch a bit. Sometimes that might mean singing some treasured hymns. Sometimes it might mean cranking up the organ for the last tune (i.e. Jesus Christ Is Risen Today) before segueing into something more contemporary.

Last year, the band that plays at the 6:00 pm Life Teen Mass led the music for the Easter Vigil, but it wasn't just them. We also added a trumpet, clarinet, violin, and flute. A few more singers joined the usual three, and the repertoire consisted of everything from organ-led responsorial Psalms to Matt Maher's 'Christ Is Risen.' The last song was 'Jesus Christ Is Risen Today,' on organ, followed immediately by 'Lord, Reign In Me' by Brenton Brown. It was pretty cool.

All the visitors to your parish...and there will probably be a lot...may feel more welcomed if they hear some familiar music.  And since there is SO MUCH music from the Triduum through Easter Sunday, there is so much opportunity to mix it up!

STAY TUNED...

Over the next few months I am honored to share this blog space with some good friends of mine who will be contributing a post to "Setting the Tone."  Watch for future articles by Danielle Rose, Jacob Villalobos (Jacob and Matthew Band) and Aaron Thompson to name a few!