First, the Glory to God.
This setting is from Mass of Saint Ann. (WLP) Notice, as you watch the video, we didn’t do
everything exactly like the recording at this Mass, but still kept the
character and essence of the arrangement.
There was no flute; there was no trumpet…just the basics.
Next, the Responsorial Psalm. This is an arrangement that I wrote a year or
so ago. Notice in the lead sheet below
that there is no real indication of any accompaniment figure. When we got
together to rehearse it before Mass, I said something like, “I’m just gonna
start with this eighth-note open-fifth thing in the right hand. Let’s just see
what happens.” It helped give the other players something to go “off of.” You can hear it in the intro. Simple setting…simple refrain. Easy for the
assembly to sing.
Next, the Holy from Mass of Saint Ann. Again, no flute…no prob. I just play that opening intro-lick on the
piano and everyone knows when to sing everytime. (It's the same intro as the Gloria) Notice that the drummer does a
different fill than the recording when he comes in. I think it works a little
better. Also, you gotta leave those holes for just the voices on the “Hosanna!” For me, that is my favorite part!
Next, Save Us Savior of the World. This is, by far, my
favorite piece to play from Mass of Saint Ann. The rest of the band barely
plays anything, if at all. It’s mostly voices with a little accompaniment to
dress it up and keep everyone together.
I love hearing the assembly on this.
As with all of these examples, this is not to say that these are the only ways to play and sing them. I think they are just good examples of a basic four-piece band playing in such a way that the assembly feels inclined to join in singing. That is so important in what we do.
May 5, 2013 – 6th Sunday of Easter
(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.)
Breathe on Me, O Breath of God by Ed Bolduc (WLP) – this is
a setting of the familiar hymn text with new music. The assembly can sing the
whole song while the choir adds harmonies and descants on the refrain. (From
the CD Hymns) Lead sheets are in process as we speak...(or type.)
Suggested use: Offertory, Communion
Christ in Me, Arise by Trevor Thomson (spiritandsong) –
Please check out this incredible song by Trevor Thomson. When he sang this at
our church with Tom Booth’s band in concert, the assembly drowned him out after
the first couple of notes. People love to sing this song. (From the CD
Christ in Me, Arise)
Suggested use: Gathering, Offertory, Communion
Come, Holy Spirit by Tom Booth and Robert Feduccia
(spiritandsong) – simple, beautiful invocation of the Holy Spirit. (From the CD
Captured)
Suggested use: Gathering, Second Communion/Meditation
I Love You, Lord by Matt Maher (spiritandsong) – Play along
with the recording a bit during rehearsal to get the right tempo. Guitarists, note the strumming
pattern on the guitar. (From the CD Welcome to Life)
Suggested use: Offertory, Second Communion
I Am the Way by Craig Colson (WLP) – NEW – this new song
from Craig Colson uses the familiar text with some haunting melodies and
harmonies. Listen to the recording. (From the CD I Am the Way)
Suggested use: Offertory, Second Communion
Let the Weight of Your Glory Fall by Steve Merkel (Integrity)
– powerful song, especially (I think) when used as a gathering song. The
assembly really grabs hold of these words and melodies and runs with it. A soloist can intone the refrain the first time, then invite the assembly to sing. (Instrumental parts available in Voices AsOne)
Suggested use: Gathering, Offertory, Second Communion
Reason to Live by Ed Bolduc (WLP) – (From the CD We are
Faithful) (Instrumental parts availablein Voices As One)
Suggested use: Offertory, Communion
Thy Word by Grant/Smith (CCLI) – beautiful, classic song.
This is a wonderful refrain for the assembly to sing with an opportunity for a
soloist to humbly sing the verses. (Instrumentalparts available in Voices As One)
Suggested use: Offertory, Second Communion/Meditation
Ed, this blog is so helpful and I love the clips you shared. Alas I have so many questions...but just a couple for you...I noticed that you referenced you leading the first verse of the Glory, a female the 2nd verse, etc. so you don't use a cantor for that? Come to think of it you were leading the Psalm..do you not use cantors in general? Is it that way at all your Masses. 2nd question is how often do you change Mass settings? I just introduced a new Mass setting and even though we've done that before obviously this time is going kind of rough.
ReplyDeleteCraig, thanks for the kind words. We don't typically go up to the ambo, but rather stay in the music area. I'm not suggesting that's how you need to do it, but it's just how it seems to work best for us. Most of the time the piano player is the lead 'cantor.' We will alternate verses/singers a lot to vary the music.
ReplyDeleteAs for Mass settings...I think it just depends on your music ministry and your parish. We've been alternating between Mass of Saint Ann and some various other stuff. For Lent, we used some d-minor acclamations I'd written.
Hello, Ed. I'm enjoying your blog, lots of practical information. You mentioned that your usual band setup includes piano, guitar, bass and drums. Are these people volunteers, or are they paid? If they are paid, could I ask how much?
ReplyDeleteI've been the director in my current parish for two years. Even with extensive recruiting and openness to contemporary styles of music, we just haven't found people for a stable group. I have two guitar players and a bass player, but they are available maybe once a month and rarely at the same time as each other. It seems that to get an ongoing commitment to the schedule and a solid level of musicianship that we would need to go pro. Any thoughts?
Scott, thanks for the comments.
ReplyDeleteI think you will find that 'whether or not musicians are paid and how much' varies depending on where you go. At Saint Ann's we pay the 'lead musician' for every mass. We also pay a cantor for the 2 Saturday Masses. By doing so, I know that these positions, at the least, will be filled and covered well.
Typically, all of the other singers and instrumentalists are parishioners and generously give of their time. We are blessed here. There are times, however, when I have to go outside the parish and hire someone to cover a necessary spot- like drums or bass, and sometimes guitar. In that way we are sure to have a consistent sound and 'fullness' to what we do.
It might be worth it to hire some players for a few months at a couple of masses to literally show everyone the potential of having a good-sized, well-formed group. You might get some players who have been unsure about joining. If they hear some solid playing with consistency it might be ore attractive to them.