Paula over at As We Wait reported the abysmal music offerings she encountered yesterday for Laetare. I had commented that I would post the music list I had originally planned, but, alas, it seems the list was worked out and typed up on the office computer this year, so, it is no longer available. I do, however, have a copy of last year's Laetare, Paula, for you to remember and compare to the doo-whop chorus you described. Here's Laetare 2007:
Ordinary: Missa XVII
Introit: Laetare Jerusalem
Gradual: Psalm of the day
Tract: Out of the depths (Flowing Waters, sung in English)
Offertory: The King of Love (ST. COLUMBA)
Herzliebster Jesus, was has du verbrochen? Johannes Brahms
Communion: Out of the Depths, Carl Schalk
O Father We Have Wandered (O HAUPT VOLL BLUT UND WUNDEN)
Postlude: Toccata Giocosa, William Mathias
4 comments:
Well, obviously, compared to yesterday's Gladys Knight & the Pips concert, last year's Laetare Sunday was much more appropriate.
Did you know he has us singing the same psalm refrain (not sure of the word) every week rather than using the text provided. Annoying. Can priests do that?
PS, I did call and voice a complaint about the microphone. We'll see if anything happens. I won't hold my breath
Question: I've been so wound up in how our 10:30 "choir" has been amping up lately and how "unlenten" the music has seemed that I missed the real point.
Isn’t the use of instruments at Mass during Lent (excluding Laetare Sunday) supposed to be confined to just the little amount is needed to assist the choir? It seems that is what the Ceremonial of Bishops is saying. Our 10:30 Mass (which I only attend in case of dire necessity) is louder than ever.
What is your experience with this in your area of the country and what do you usually do?
My understanding is that there should be no instrumental music (organ solos, etc.). I do, however, find it ideal to take a little off the organ even with the hymn accompanying.
As for the no organ at all except for bare minimum to support singing, at least in the Ordinary Form, that applies for that period between the end of the Holy Thursday Gloria and the beginning of the Easter Vigil Gloria.
BMP
It is a viable alternative to use the same antiphon from week to week. This is generally termed a "seasonal antiphon". We did that back in the day before we used the missalette settings and stuck to the psalter in the Collegeville Hymnal. The logic behind a seasonal antiphon is usually for "better congregational singing". I did it because I really like the psalter in the C.H. I have found through experience that it doesn't really matter whether or not the antiphon is seasonal or proper. The congregation will either sing it or they won't. In the long run, the singing is the same for a seasonal or a proper. If you're stuck with a dud of a seasonal antiphon, no one will sing it because it's stupid. If you have an overly complicated proper antiphon, no one will sing it because it's confusing (like most of the Gather stuff). If you use a seasonal complicated one, no one will sing because they're waiting for the liturgist to put down the crack pipe while picking music. LOL. A seasonal antiphon, although allowed, is rather gimicky. It's like singing the same hymn at the same place in the Mass for a series of weeks. I have done something similar, but have switched the position of the hymn. The repeated hymn is only for the purpose of teaching a NEW hymn. Never, never, never, never use a common hymn on subsequent weeks. Hymn choice is a lot like selecting a necktie for men: wear what you like, but never never never wear the same tie two days in a row. Your office mates will have to draw the accurate conclusion that you don't really know how to dress yourself. Liturgista One-Hymn has the reputation.
JP
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