Epiphany of the Lord

6 January 2019

Entrance	Bethlehem of noblest cities
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Christmas (Paul Gibson)
Psalm 71/td>	All nations shall fall (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	This is the day (Fernand de la Tombelle)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Comfort & Joy (mtgf)
Lamb of God	Christmas (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	We have seen his star (mtgf)
Communion	He became poor (John Bell)
Final	We three kings

A repeat of the Tombelle piece and a chance to review the text. Though I don't think we have done it before on the Epiphany I thought He became poor with verses from Philippians 2 worked well today.

Mary, Mother of God

1 January 2019

Entrance	What child is this
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Psallite (Collegeville)
Psalm 66	O God be gracious and bless us (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Paschal Alleluia (chant)
Preparation of Gifts	O holy Mary (Alstott)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Comfort & Joy (mtgf)
Lamb of God	Christmas (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Jesus Christ is the same (mtgf)
Final	A noble flower of Juda

As a Christmas weekday with a smaller congregation we scaled-down the Gloria and Alleluia.

Nativity of the Lord - Mass during the Day

25 December 2018

Entrance	Once in Royal David's City
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Christmas (Paul Gibson)
Psalm 97	All theends of the earth (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Mater ora filium (Charles Wood)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Comfort & Joy (mtgf)
Lamb of God	Christmas (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	All the ends (mtgf)
Communion	Away in a manger ()
Final	O little town of Bethlehem

Though I was familiar with Bax's setting of Mater or filium I was not aware of Charles Wood's setting. One requires many voices, the latter just solo voice and accompaniment - it was a suitable piece for a quite Christmas morning Mass

Nativity of the Lord - Mass during the Night

25 December 2018

Carol	Once in royal David's city
Choir	Peace child (Bernadette Farrell)
Carol	While shepherds watched
Choir	The dream of Christmas (Holst)
Carol	O little town of Bethlehem
Choir	C'est aujourd'hui (This is the night) (Fernand de la Tombelle)
Entrance	O come all ye faithful
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Christmas (Paul Gibson)
Psalm 95	Today a Saviour (Bernadette Farrell)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Profession of Faith	Credo III (chant + Josquin)
Preparation of Gifts	What shall we give (Catalan arr. Dean)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Comfort & Joy (mtgf)
Lamb of God	Christmas (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	The Word became flesh (mtgf)
Communion	Night of Silence (Daniel Kantor)
	Silent Night
Final	Joy to the world

Once in a while the thought comes what might we add to our repertoire. The inspiration can be various: mutual admiration of Holst in the coffee queue, a new recording of French Christmas music by Gonville and Caius College. Both these led to the IMSLP website. The Holst, like a number of pieces there, is given as a manuscript - so I transcribed it. Though published I couldn't find a recording. Not top draw Holst - I suspect there is a tut from his daughter Imogen in her biography but in its fascination with the relationship between B- F and its slightly off-kilter pedal notes it was attractive enough. The Tombelle - again the whole of Noel au Village on IMSLP - was a wartime piece. It did a rough (dynamic?) translation of the French so that we would sing it in English. I thought it charming and it will be worth repeating at some point.

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

7 December 2018

Entrance	The angel Gabriel
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Angels & Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 97	Sing a new song (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Hymn of the Cherubim (Russian)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God	Angels & Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion	I sing a maid (Irish arr.. Joncas)
Final	Tell out my soul

Christ the King

25 November 2018

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Entrance	Christus vincit
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Angels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 92	The Lord is king (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Christ the glory (Lalouette)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God	Angels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion Antiphon	The Lord sits (mtgf)
Communion	Ave verum (Elgar)
Final	Hail redeemer

A question this morning about the Gloria - or rather a request for the congregation to sing the whole text. First, to not the incredibly positive of a congregation wishing to sing more! I did explain at the time that we sing a variety of Gloria some of which are responsorial and some through composed. Thinking about it afterwards, we sing 5 Gloria settings: 2 responsorial, 3 through.Though my instinct is to be happy for the congregation to join in with everything I have a couple e of practical quibbles. Firstly I would feel the need to include music for the whole setting on the leaflet which would take considerably more space than just the response; secondly, I would want to still respect the differentiation of male and female sections. There is something about respecting the composer's wishes and perhaps more fundamentally liturgically is something about difference and relationships - something different is at play liturgically when we don''t all do everything. A quibble I don't necessarily have, but I know those who do - is that everyone sings the whole text you do not need the response. It is deliberate that our responsorial settings are used in the Autumn and at Christmas. The Angels and Saints is one shared by both Sunday Masses as a common setting for chapel. It also makes sense that as this is the term when we are most likely to have new members to use a responsorial setting — a similar logic can be applied to Christmas. Is the effectiveness of a response potentially off set if soe or all of the rest of the congregation is singing the whole text. The request has made me question our practice - and I am still considering how it will develop.

The Nativity of John the Baptist

24 June 2018

Entrance	Oh the word of my Lord
Penitential Rite	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 138	I thank you, Lord (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	(Murray)
Preparation of Gifts	You know me, Lord (James Walsh)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missal
Lamb of God	Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Through the tender mercy (mtgf)
Communion	The love of the Lord (Michael Joncas)
Final	Blest be the Lord the God of Israel

It was good to celebrate this on a Sunday. Choosing music it has a feel of Advent but not Advent. The most obvious difference was Psalm 138 a psalm loved by composers but less so by the Lectionary. In addition to the responsorial psalm we did James Walsh's elegant setting.

Most Holy Body & Blood of the Lord

3 June 2018

Entrance	My God and is thy table
Penitential Rite	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 115	The cup of salvation I will raise (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	(Murray)
Preparation of Gifts	Let all mortal flesh ()
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missal
Lamb of God	Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Whoever eats my flesh (mtgf)
Communion	Take and eat (Michael Joncas)
Final	O Lord, who at thy Eucharist

The Most Holy Trinity

27 May 2018

Entrance	God whose almighty Word
Penitential Rite	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 32	Happy the people (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	(Murray)
Preparation of Gifts	God beyond all names (Bernadette Farrell)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missal
Lamb of God	Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Since you are children (mtgf)
Communion	Loving Creator (D T Niles)
Final	I bind unto myself today.

Pentecost Sunday

20 May 2018

Entrance	Come done, O love divine
Penitential Rite	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Gloria	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Psalm	(mtgf)
Sequence	Veni Sancte Spiritus (arr. mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	Enemy of Apathy (John Bell)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Lamb of God	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	They were all filled (mtgf)
Communion	The gift of the Holy Spirit (Boschetti)
Final	Lord, you give the great commission

Epiphany of the Lord

7 January 2018

Entrance	Bethlehem! of noblest cities
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Christmas (Paul Gibson)
Psalm 71	O Lord, all the earth (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	The three kings (Cornelius)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Comfort & Joy (mtgf)
Lamb of God	Christmas (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	We saw his star (mtgf)
Communion	Jesus the Word has lived among us (French)
Final	We three kings

Further reflection suggests that my 'ideal' celebration may be related to resources available. As a rule for Christmas and the Triduum there is a full range of voices available, whereas for the Epiphany while holidays and visits are still occurring it is less certain. So today we were just cantor and piano. I think there is also the feeling at Christmas that there is time to do all the carols and other music we hope t, whereas the Epiphany has one 'shot'.

Today we had the phenomenon, which have suspected for a number of weeks that our microphones are turned up quite high, this with the addition of a visiting priest who projected as though they were not there affected the delicate alchemy of congregational singing.

Nativity of the Lord - Mass during the Day

25 December 2017

Entrance	Once in royal David's city
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Christmas (Paul Gibson)
Psalm 97	All the ends of the earth (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Peace child (Bernadette Farrell)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Comfort & Joy (mtgf)
Lamb of God	Christmas (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	All the ends of the earth (mtgf)
Communion	Away in a manger
Final	O little town

The comments about last night also apply here.

And to note one of the occasions where the last line of the first reading is the response of the psalm.

Nativity of the Lord - Mass during the Night

25 December 2017

Carol	Once in royal David's city
Choir	Long is our winter (German)
Carol	While shepherds watched
Choir	Sing we the Virgin (Anon/Niles)
Carol	O little town of Bethlehem
Entrance	O come all ye faithful
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Christmas (Paul Gibson)
Psalm 95	Today a Saviour (Bernadette Farrell)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Profession of Faith	Credo III (chant + Josquin)
Preparation of Gifts	What shall we give (Catalan arr. Dean)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Comfort & Joy (mtgf)
Lamb of God	Christmas (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	The Word became flesh (mtgf)
Communion	Night of Silence (Daniel Kantor)
	Silent Night
Final	Joy to the world

It had never struck me before that Baumstark's laws of historical liturgy play out in some ways at a micro level in musical choices. Firstly that at more solemn seasons the older elements have greater tenacity and secondly that change is organic (changes take place first along side then replace). At this Mass there are elements which have been the same for probably 20 years (the same would be true of the Triduum) but there are also developments - but in some ways nothing too radical. So the last carol has changed - it has usually been Hark the herald angels sing, though God rest you merry gentlemen has also been sung. Perhaps more radical is a change of Eucharistic Acclamations - but the intentions is that this not a one year change, it becomes part of the 'tradition'. Beforehand is a little more flexible and usually reflects something of the Advent Sundays but is also dependent on resources etc. This year I was very grateful to those, including visitors, who were inveigled to sing along. I have rehearsed before the advantages both to musicians and congregation of a certain familiarity - but one which always open to change

I am also aware of the possible antithesis which are those celebrations which do not seem to have settled into a familiar pattern. One example of this would be, for me, the Epiphany, where I never find the music chosen wholly right -it has not found its 'traditional' form yet. (It will be interesting seeing how the holydays move will further affect this.)

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

8 December 2017

Entrance	The Angel Gabriel
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Angels & Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 97	Sing a new song (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	No wind at the window (Irish/Bell)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God	Angels & Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion	Hail Holy Queen (mtgf)
Final	10,000 Reasons

This year the University Choir was joined by the 6pm Music Group for the first time in a number of years. The group is in a stronger position than it has been for a number of years - but also the membership of both groups overlaps. A general aim for this term is that both Sunday Masses share the same Mass settings so as not only to enable coming together of musicians but also as a worshipping community we have common settings.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

26 November 2017

Entrance	The king of love my shepherd is
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Angels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Psalm 22	The Lord is my shepherd (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Christ the glory (Lalouette)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God	Angels and Saints (Steven Janco)
Communion Antiphon	The Lord sits as King (mtgf)
Communion	Jesus, you are the bread (Bernadette Farrell)
Final	Crown him with many crowns

The Body & Blood of the Lord

18 June 2017

Entrance	My God and is thy table spread
Penitential Rite	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm 147	O praise the Lord, Jerusalem (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	(Murray)
Preparation of Gifts	Love bade me welcome (Vaughan Williams)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missal
Lamb of God	Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Whoever eats my flesh (mtgf)
Communion	Take and eat (Michael Joncas)
Final	Alleluia, sing to Jesus

Most Holy Trinity

11 June 2017

Entrance	I bind unto myself
Penitential Rite	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Gloria	At the table of the Lord (Collegeville)
Psalm - Dan 3	To you, glory and praise (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	(Murray)
Preparation of Gifts	Hymn of the Cherubim (Anon)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Missal
Lamb of God	Nores (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Since you are children of God (mtgf)
Communion	God beyond all names (Bernadette Farrell)
Final	Holy is God

After the previous Sunday, relatively straightforward. I bind myself was I suspect new to many. Having been replaced the previous week I decided on Holy is God at the end.

Pentecost Sunday

4 June 2017

Opening	Veni Sancte Spiritus (Walker)
Reading	Ezekiel 37:1–14
Response	Give us, Lord, a new heart (Farrell)
Silence
Song	Veni Creator Spiritus (Chant)
Reading	Joel 3:1–5
Response	Spirit of God (Farrell)
Silence
===========
Entrance	Come down, O love divine
Penitential Rite	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Gloria	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Psalm 103	Send forth your spirit (mtgf)
Sequence & Gospel Accl	Pentecost Sequence (Hurd)
Preparation of Gifts	The Spirit comes to us in our weakness (mtgf)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Lamb of God	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	They were all filled (mtgf)
Communion	There is one Lord (Alstott)
Final	Celtic Alleluia (O'Carroll/Walker)

Unusual circumstances this Sunday. At 10.25 a message came from security that the chaplain would be between 30-45 minutes late. I was correct in my guess that the supply priest for the Mass in the parish at 10.30 failed to turn up. Looking back we were in some ways lucky it was Pentecost Sunday as it meant we could easily use some the vigil readings - I asked the reading to look at the 3rd and 4th and went from there. We have a history of singing Chris Walker's Veni Sancte Spiritus for long periods so it was an obvious place to start — though I though the full 30 minutes might be a bit much. There was some thinking on our feet — Give us, Lord was only thought of during the Ezekiel reading. By 11.30 I had thought we had probably 'vigilled' long enough and guess that the chaplain would be with us by the Gospel we began Mass; he arrived during the psalm - so I could give a quick report and suggest there was still a sequence to catch one's breath.

We tried a different Sequence setting this year. I had come across Bob Hurd's setting while preparing for a music day recently. Its appeal was that it used the same o filli et filliae Alleluia refrain as our Easter Sequence so made a nice seasonal bookend. It also had the bright idea of including the Gospel Acclamation verse. In the end I was not sure — I think its faux-medievalism lack melodic character at the end of the day.

The final hymn changed a number of times. In my list it was going to be Lord, you give the great commission but before Mass I had decided that would be too much. it then became Holy is God as a seasonal marker and something shorter. In the end I decided to have just the Celtic Alleluia as a swift ending — people had been there approaching 90 minutes — it seemed to be one of the congregation's most forthright sings!

Ascension of the Lord

28 May 2017

Entrance	Crown him with many crowns
Penitential Rite	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Gloria	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Psalm 46	Our God goes up (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Celtic (O'Carroll/Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Christ the Glory (Lalouette)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Mass of Wisdom (Steven Janco)
Lamb of God	Lux et origo (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	Behold, I am with you (mtgf)
Communion	Alleluia Hymn (Russian arr. mtgf)
Final	Alleluia, sing to Jesus

Epiphany of the Lord

8 January 2017

Entrance	Bethlehem of noblest cities
Penitential Rite	St Gabriel (mtgf)
Gloria	Christmas (Paul Gibson)
Psalm 71	O Lord, all the earth (mtgf)
Gospel Acclamation	Salisbury Alleluia (Christopher Walker)
Preparation of Gifts	Carol at Bethlehem Cave (Spanish arr. Walker)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Creation (Marty Haugen)
Lamb of God	Christmas (mtgf)
Communion Antiphon	We saw his star (mtgf)
Communion	Bethlehem Down (Warlock)
Final	We three kings

People have their favourite Christmas music and their can even jealousy about whose favourite is sung or not — not necessarily in a bad way but I suppose another factor in the choices we make. I think it's a legitimate wish but it also balanced with the dislikes. Christmas music can engender the emotions.