Lent IV (B • 2024)
Greetings all—
Here’s our (admittedly minimal) set of practice resources for this week. I’m not posting the communion antiphon since that’s the same tone as we have been using for a few weeks. Similarly, you can scroll back to previous posts if you need mass parts or the gospel acclamation.
Individual voice parts are soloed in this video; click on the hyperlinks in the video description to skip ahead to your part.
Hymns:
Entrance: Ellacombe
Offertory: Lobe Den Herren
Recssional: Jesu Dulcis Memoria
Chrism Mass • St. Augustine Cathedral (2024)
Greetings all—
If you are on this page, then you are interested in (or committed to) singing at the 2024 Chrism Mass at St. Augustine’s Cathedral, Kalamazoo. Thank you, and welcome!
Please Note: The Chrism Mass will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, March 26th.
This is admittedly an atypical time, and this may prevent some people from being able to attend. (If this is the case for you, please let me know so that we learn if this time has a significant impact on the community.)
If you would like to join the diocesan choir for this event, please fill out the following form to let me know you are coming.
Practice tracks are available below the form to help you prepare from home.
Attire will simply be “Sunday best”.
We will have a rehearsal earlier at 11am that day, break for lunch, and then return to sing for Mass.
If you have any questions for me, please send me an email.
I look forward to singing with you all!
Processional Hymn:
Church of God, Elect and Glorious
Sung to the tune of “Abbots Leigh”. Here is a demo of that tune:
The Entrance Antiphon will be sung after the processional hymn.
Gloria: Missa Simplex by Proulx
Psalm: 89(88) “Forever I will Sing…”
Please Note: the demo edition here features different verse text from that which is sung at the Chrism Mass, however the music is the same. (Click here to see the version with correct verse text.)
Gospel Acclamation:
“Glory and praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.”
Please learn your harmony for the refrain. The verse text chanted by the choir is different from that which is featured in the video, however the melody is the same.
You may use the MP3’s embedded below, or click on the following hyperlinks to be taken to a practice track video on YouTube for your particular voice part:
Chant during the Procession of the Oils:
O Redeemer, Hear This Anthem
If you are new to chanting, do not fear! We will be singing in English, and I will support you with a gentle organ accompaniment. Do listen to this a few different times to really get a feel for the flow of the chant. In particular, note the groupings of twos and threes.
We will sing this in two verse couplets, pausing after every second verse so that each holy oil can be announce and presented to the bishop.
Offertory Motet:
Anima Christi • Dominican Liturgical Center
(Score)
Here is the official recording of this work. Please note that the edition we will sing has a few minor modifications.
Ordinary:
Please Note: The first “Sanctus” and “Agnus Dei” will be intoned by the cantor alone, with all joining in after the asterisk (just like in the recordings). This is known as an “incipit” and is a exceedingly ancient practice.
Communion Antiphon
Verses will be chanted antiphonally between men and women. You sing each reciting tone and only apply the formula once the font changes.
There are additional verses, not shown in this preview image.
Communion Motet: If Ye Love Me • Tallis
You can find individual voice practice tracks below. (Score)
Communion Hymn:
I Dwell a Captive of This Heart
To the tune of Thomas Tallis’s “Third Mode Melody”. (Score) Here is a lovely rendition of this famous tune, however we will be singing a different text from that which is featured in the recording.
And here is an organ-only version of Mr. Richardson playing so you can get a feel for exactly what our flow will be. Note the difference between the phrases that end on three beats, verses those that only have two and a lift (tick mark).
Saint Michæl the Archangel Prayer
I hope that you will come to love this one just as much as we do! Here’s a thrilling way to sing the St. Michæl prayer that is sure to bring a smile to your face as it does to ours. (Score)
The key to singing this prayer is to use natural, speech rhythm. Please listen to the recordings once or twice over to really get a feel for the flow, since not every rhythm is notated.
You may use the MP3’s embedded below, or click on the following hyperlinks to be taken to a practice track video on YouTube for your particular voice part. (Sopranos, I did my best!)
Recessional Hymn:
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim!
Sung to the tune of “Laudate Dominum” by Parry. Here is a demo of that tune:
Lent III (B • 2024)
Here are practice resources for Lent III.
For anyone who was not at rehearsal: If you do not feel ready to sing a particular selection on Sunday morning, it is OK to sit that one out and just sing the rest. I’d much rather have you come and contribute what you can, than feel uncomfortable coming up at all.
(Source: Source & Summit)
NB: There is only an offertory antiphon this week, no hymn.
(Source: Source & Summit)
It is also worth noting that due to the, ahem, funny little issue with wording in one of the final verses of the offertory antiphon, I have made a slight adjustment and I would like you to chant the offertory antiphon from the worship aid. This will completely circumvent that issue.
Here are a few links to learn the melodies of our hymns:
Communion Hymn Tune (demo is in Latin, but we will sing the verses in English)
Recessional Hymn Tune (same melody, different text)
Looking Ahead
:
Looking Ahead :
Here are some things to look at that we will begin digesting at our next rehearsal. We are going to have A LOT of music to learn!
First up: Holy Thursday Foot Washing Antiphons (Playlist)
Lent II (B • 2024)
Here are practice resources for Lent II.
For anyone who was not at rehearsal: our communion motet is “Jesu, Salvator Mundi” which we learned on Wednesday. Do be sure to focus on that and the psalm. If you do not feel ready to sing it by Sunday morning, it is OK to sit that one out.
(Source: Source & Summit)
(Source: Source & Summit)
Looking Ahead
:
Looking Ahead :
Here are some things to look at that we will begin digesting at our next rehearsal. We are going to have A LOT of music to learn!
First up: Holy Thursday Foot Washing Antiphons (Playlist)
Lent I (B • 2024)
Here is our ordo for Lent I (also in the preview window below).
Please see the Ash Wednesday list for comprehensive practice tracks of the Lenten Gospel Acclamation.
Our Processional Hymn is the same melody as Ash Wednesday’s Offertory hymn tune: Passion Chorale (aka- O Sacred Head).
Here are some SATB tracks of this hymn put together by CCWatershed: O Sacred Head Surrounded
Our Communion Hymn is God of Mercy and Compassion to a tune adapted by Pergolesi. Don’t forget we will do the second line of the fourth (last) verse a cappella before the final refrain.
Our Recessional Hymn is Forty Days and Forty Nights to the tune HEINLEIN.
(Source: Source & Summit)
(Source: Source & Summit)
Looking Ahead
:
Looking Ahead :
Here are some things to look at that we will begin digesting at our next rehearsal. We are going to have A LOT of music to learn!
First up: Holy Thursday Foot Washing Antiphons (Playlist)
Ash Wednesday 2024
Greetings all—
As a reminder, mass will be at 5:30pm. I know that this is an awkward time; just get there when you can, and we will do the best we can with whoever we have. I will be in the loft by 5pm to warmup with those who are able to come ahead of time.
I also hope to do some minimal prep for the following Sunday (Lent I) after Mass with those who can stick around a few extra minutes. This will be—by necessity—a rather minimal affair. We are still finding our sound and getting back into the swing of things, so I have no grand designs on pulling off a last-minute motet for Lent I.
Entrance Antiphon: You are merciful to all, O Lord…
*NB: we will only chant the antiphon.[No Kyrie, because the Penitential act is omitted, because the distribution of ashes takes its place.]
Psalm 51: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Lenten Gospel Acclamation: Glory and praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Distribution of Ashes: Fr. Weber Antiphons
(James will cantor the first two antiphons, then James and Maggie will alternate on the verses for Antiphon 3, with the choir responding with the congregation. The choir may go down to receive ashes with everyone else, if desired.)Offertory Hymn: O Lord, You Gaze with Mercy (PASSION CHORALE)
Ordinary (a.k.a. “Mass Parts”): Missa Simplex (Mass XVIII)
Communion Antiphon: He who ponders the law of the Lord…
*NB: the full text will be in the worship aid for all to sing.Communion “Hymn”: Parce Domine (harmonized chant with cantored verses)
Recessional Hymn: Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days (ST. FLAVIAN)
(Source: Source & Summit Missal)
Psalm: 51 “Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.”
Distribution of Ashes: Fr. Weber Antiphons
I will chant the first two antiphons, and then the choir will respond with the congregation for antiphon iii “Blot out my transgressions, O Lord.”
(Source: Source & Summit Gradual)