The Lord Comes to Rule the Earth

A few weeks ago I posted a new Psalm setting called "The Lord Comes to Rule the Earth with Justice."  I mentioned that I would post our 'performance' so you could see how we introduced and played it from scratch. 

Notice the simplicity of the introduction, how the drums creep in, how the singers allow the voices to build and solo...basically take note of the texture, arrangement, and balance of the instruments. This is how we interpreted the lead sheet for a Responsorial Psalm in the context of the liturgy.

Comments welcomed!

Songs for 2nd Sunday of Advent (A)

Here are some song possibilities for December 8th, 2nd Sunday of Advent Cycle A:

*Rise Up, My People by John Angotti (WLP) (from the CD "Rise Up, My People")

This Is Your Justice by Craig Colson (WLP) (from the CD "I Am the Way") - optional flute part available

*Look to the One by Ed Bolduc (WLP) (from the CD "We Are Faithful")

*On That Holy Mountain by Joe Mattingly (WLP) (from the CD "Walk in the Land")

The King Shall Come by Trevor Thomson (spiritandsong.com)

You are Mine by Ben Walthers (spiritandsong.com) (from the CD "Make Your Home in Me")

Prepare the Way by Charlie Hall (worshiptogether.com)

Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord by Kenneth Louis (WLP) (from the CD "Touch Jesus")

The Name of Jesus by Brian Flynn and Jeff Thomas (WLP) (from the CD "Born Again")

ALSO...be sure to check out the entire Advent Music section on voicesasone.com.  Click here.


* indicates instrumental parts available for these titles in the Voices As One series. All titles from this series have C and B-flat instrument parts. Select titles have Saxophone and Brass parts. 

Voices As One ® Vol. 1 and 2 C Instrument Book

Voices As One ® Vol. 1 and 2 Bb Instrument Book

Voices As One ® Vol. 1 and 2 Saxophone and Brass Instrument Book

Arrangement ideas for Psalms

I often post a clip of a psalm setting we've done over the past weekend so you can hear the overall song as well as the overall arrangement.  This week, I'm going to do that again, but also include a new setting for this upcoming week: The Lord Comes to Rule the Earth with Justice.

The Lord Come to Rule the Earth with Justice: NEW Psalm for this Sunday:

The way I plan to play this is as follows: 

   1. Make up an intro by playing the Refrain through one time, just piano and/or guitar.  If I have a flute (or other solo inst), ask them to play only on the 2nd half of the Refrain during the intro. (melody)
   2. Soloist/cantor will intone the refrain...no solo instruments, still just piano and/or guitar.
   3. Bring in the choir in unison on the repeat of the refrain (with the assembly, of course). Add bass guitar...it supports the assembly when they enter...sounds 'full.'  No drums, yet.
   4. Verse 1 would be sung by a soloist or cantor. Add light percussion/drumset.
   5. Add harmonies on the Refrain, all voices. Add synth if applicable (strings/pad)
   6. Verse 2 would be arranged just like Verse 1. Perhaps bring in choir on "the mountains shout with them for joy."
   7. Refrain as before.
   8. Verse 3 could be a duet...two female voices at pitch, or a male voice on the melody and a female voice on the alto.  OR...the choir could sing it...everyone on melody except altos.  Change up the feel of the percussion/groove for this verse.  Perhaps synth/strings could play out more on this verse.  If I know I'm going to have a trumpet, I would definitely add it on this verse.
   9. Refrain as before.

After Sunday I will post how we ended up playing it!

I Will Praise Your Name

Also, here is a sample of a newer setting I've written of "I Will Praise Your Name." Hopefully, you can hear in the recording that it's really based around the assembly singing that Refrain.  I wanted something the assembly could sing easily and comfortably...and prayerfully.  The chords change underneath to help it build, but the melody stays the same.
Also, notice how the music begins quietly/prayerfully coming after the first reading...THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.  Don't break the silence with a loud chord, or a drum fill.  Ease into the music. Your assembly will thank you!
Listen to what the drummer does on this recording.  Notice when the bass guitar comes in.  Listen to the other vocalists.  The music builds...everyone is not 'in' right from the top.

Another interesting note about this particular setting is that the verses are musically louder and stronger than the Refrain.

I welcome your comments.

This time of year...

'Love this time of year...both the 'earthly' season and the liturgical season!  It's difficult to put into words what makes it so special.  Here are some tried and true powerful songs to consider for your liturgies during the Advent season...

Craig Colson has written a beautiful and simple setting of an Advent Penitential Act.  This comes fresh off of his new recording I Am the Way. (WLP)  It's even more effective if you sing his song This Is Your Justice as a gathering/entrance song.  The melodies and thematic material are the same for both.  It's a nice way of making the entire Gathering Rite unified for a given Sunday in Advent, or even all four weeks. (get the lead sheet online at voicesasone.com) There is also a flute part for this song.

Curtis Stephen's Ready the Way (spiritandsong.com) sings the phrase 'ready the way' over and over in a powerful way. We're so used to hearing 'prepare the way' that this slight variation makes it that much more interesting and attractive.  I love the melody and the chord changes in this song.  It's enjoyable to sing and play and the assembly can grab hold of it immediately. (get the lead sheet online at spiritandsong.com)

You have to check out Matt Maher (and friends') (worshiptogether.com) beautiful song Hope Is Dawning.  The musical setting of this original text is just powerful...and simple!  The sound is fresh, contemporary, and immediately accessible by everyone.  Again, I love this song.  :-)  (get the lead sheet online at worshiptogether.com)

Paul Tate and Deanna Light's  Come, Emmanuel (WLP) is a staple in our parish during advent.  The way Paul and Deanna have used the melody for 'Come, Emmanuel' over and over is genius. The lyrics are great, the chord progressions are beautiful, and the melody is easy to sing. Instrumental parts are available in the Voices As One instrumental books.

If you're looking for something really upbeat, check out Lorraine Hess and Jaime Dilberto's Prepare Ye.  The assembly will easily be able to sing this refrain, and there's an assembly part in the verses as well. Your singers will enjoy the harmonies in the chorus and verses.

Here's a song I wrote years ago for Advent called 'O Come, Dear Lord.'  I used a bit of the melody from "O Come, O Come Emmanuel' in the verse.  (I'm sure you'll notice!)  I've included the music below, as I never had it published.  Feel free to use it. 

 

'Awake to the Day' (WLP) has a piano intro that really sets the tone, and it's not difficult to play. This song can be played with just piano and or guitar, or with a full band playing out.  The assembly sings a recurring 'We prepare for you, Lord' in both verses.  Feel free to let a cantor sing the first part of the verse while bringing in the assembly on the "we prepares..." and the last couple of phrases.  Instrumental parts are available in the Voices As One instrumental books.


Tom Booth's 'Find Us Ready' has powerful lyrics: "Find us ready, Lord, not standing still."  The whole song has a gospel feel to it and is, of course, very accessible...as is all of Tom's music.  This is classic Booth at its best! (get the lead sheet online at spiritandsong.com)


Awake, O Sleeper by Ike Ndolo (spiritandsong) – this song starts simply, building from the beginning. "In the darkest times of life when our lights refuse to shine you are there." A good medium-tempo song that works great at entrance, offertory, or closing. From the CD We are the Beggars.

 

And don't forget to sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel!


Here's a link to a previous blog post where I presented some options for the Gospel Acclamation and the Holy.