Easter Sunday

27 March 2016

Entrance	Jesus Christ is risen today
Penitential Rite	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Gloria	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Psalm 117	This is the day (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation/Sequence	Victimae Paschali (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	Christo resurgenti (Couperin)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Lamb of God	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Christ our passover (mtgf)
Communion	Sicut cervus (Palestrina)
Final	Thine be the glory

I think the singers could missed the missing hour. It was good to do the Couperin again, this year by the women and a very nice sound they made, it has something of the sprightly joy of Easter. Sicut cervus was a remnant from the previous night when it was replaced by instrumental music.

Easter Vigil

26 March 2016

Procession	The Lord is my light (Taizé)
Exsultet	Missal
Psalm 103	Send forth your spirit (mtgf)
Psalm 15	Preserve me, God (Christopher Walker)
Exodus 15	I will sing to the Lord (mtgf)
Psalm 18	O Lord, you have the message (mtgf)
Psalm 41-42	As the deer longs (Palestrina/Bridge)
Gloria	Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Gospel Acclamation	Celtic Alleluia (O'Carroll/Walker)
Baptismal Liturgy	Litany of the Saints (Missal)
	Springs of water (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	In bread we bring you, Lord (Kevin Nichols)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Lamb of God	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Christ our Passover
Final	Holy is God (Paul Inwood)

We had a Reception and the candidate requested In bread we bring you. As is often the case with this generation of hymns it is a long time since we have sung them - but we still remember them. Actually Kevin Nichols shows a higher level of craft than many with triple rhymes and theological content.

We had sang Holy is God as our last Alleluia before Lent and it seemed and interesting idea to sing it again tonight. Among its other merits it is short - just long enough to bring the vigil to conclusion.

Good Friday

25 March 2016

Psalm 30	Father, into your hands (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Adoration of the Cross	Reproaches (Peter Jones)
	Christus factus est (Anton Bruckner)
Communion	O Crux ave (Rihards Dubra)
	When I survey the wondrous cross

Again quite lean. We have more music on standby for the Adoration including Victoria O dos ones and Jesus, remember me but 2 pieces are currently enough.

Maundy Thursday

24 March 2016

Entrance	For God so loved the world (mtgf)
Penitential Rite	Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Gloria	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Psalm 115	The blessing cup (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Washing of the Feet	Faith, hope and love (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Lamb of God	Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Communion Antiphon	This is the Body (mtgf)
Communion	Ave verum Corpus (Byrd)
Procession	Pange lingua (Ricky Manalo)
	Tantum ergo (chant)
Watching	Stay with me (Taizé)

Nearly the same as last year - simpler and leaner than in some years past. I notice I commented on layout last year (though confusingly about the Paschal Candle). This year the seats for the foot washing were placed across the front the sanctuary, for the whole liturgy. I think it is arguable whether the foot washing is main symbolic action of the liturgy (there are some who would wish to omit it, and may for pastoral reasons), even if this were so it would be the washing not the seats which became a barrier to be passed for the rest of the liturgy.

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

21 March 2016

Entrance Procession	Hosanna (Paul Inwood) + verses Ps 23
Psalm 21	My God, my God (Christopher Walker)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	Ours were the griefs (Stephen Dean)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Lamb of God	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Communion Antiphon	Father, if this chalice (mtgf)
Communion	Father, if this cup (Stephen Dean)
Final	My song is love unknown

I was away this Sunday and also the one before - but I was confident that everything would go well in my absence. Though this year we had an innovation - a procession. I have long felt that we have an ideal processional route. One of Walpole's follies known as the Chapel in the Woods provides an obvious starting point and then there is the piazza to process across to the chapel. The practical aspect of this for the musicians was that because I was away I had prepared the leaflets at the beginning of Lent - and though I don't think I would have changed what was done it placed a possible parameter. In the event they sang the usual Hosannas but I gave the choir some verses from Psalm 23 to chant in between to fill out the procession.

5th Sunday of Lent

13 March 2016

Entrance	For God so loved the world (mtgf)
Penitential Rite	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Psalm 125	What marvels (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	The love of the Lord (Michael Joncas)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Lamb of God	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Communion Antiphon	Has no one (mtgf)
Communion	Remember not the sins (Bob Hurd)
Final	There's a wideness in God's mercy

4th Sunday of Lent

6 March 2016

Entrance	For God so loved the world (mtgf)
Penitential Rite	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Psalm 33	Taste and see (Stephen Dean)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	Your love is finer (Marty Haugen)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Lamb of God	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Communion Antiphon	You must rejoice, my Son (mtgf)
Communion	Jesus. face of the Father's mercy (mtg)
Final	Praise now our God with joy.

The prodigal son did not inspire much direct music making. Though I was struck by the communion antiphon which is addressed to the older brother. My Jesus, face of the Father's mercy is one a series of songs for the Year of Mercy and reflects the encounters of mercy in the gospels.

3rd Sunday of Lent

28 February 2016

Entrance	For God so loved the world (mtgf)
Penitential Rite	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Psalm 103	The Lord is compassion and love (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	()
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Lamb of God	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Communion Antiphon	The sparrow finds a nest (mtgf)
Communion
Final	Praise my soul

The singers were with the University Choir in Winchester for the Cathedral's Group Choirs Festival. Our organist was bravely cantor and accompanist. I err towards trying to keep the music going Sunday by Sunday and by the positive comments of the congregation it was appreciated.

2nd Sunday of Lent

21 February 2016

Entrance	For God so loved the world (mtgf)
Penitential Rite	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Psalm 26	The Lord is my light (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	O nata lux (Tallis)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Lamb of God	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Communion Antiphon	This is my beloved Son (mtgf)
Communion	Transfigure us, O Lord (Bob Hurd)
Final	Be thou my vision

1st Sunday of Lent

14 February 2016

Entrance	For God so loved the world (mtgf)
Penitential Rite	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Psalm 90	Be with me, Lord (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	Miserere (Lotti)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Lamb of God	Missa Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Communion Antiphon	One does not live (mtgf)
Communion	Out into the wilderness (Bob Hurd)
Final	Guide me, O thou great Redeemer

Lenten fare that will nourish us for next 6 weeks.