Magdalene

School Masses
When I first came to this parish, I intentionally asked that my title be Director of Music, not Music Director. Once you set foot in the church, you're in my jurisdiction in regards to music. Same applies for our school Masses. I either pick it…

Comment by Magdalene July 29 permalink
Simple organ music for wedding
Hymne by Vangelis is very simple for processional. There should be simple arrangements of Clarke's Trumpet Voluntary as well. Maybe not as simple as you're looking for, but the arrangements from here are fun, especially Hymn to Joy. https…

Comment by Magdalene July 23 permalink
Please tell me about your funeral choirs
Coming back to report we've done 3 funerals with the choir just "showing up" and they went smoothly. Just trying to streamline the process on my end for sending out the music selections etc.

Comment by Magdalene June 11 permalink
Mendelssohn Wedding March
As soon as they hear Canon in D they recognize it and want it, but how would they remember that name? Who’s getting shot out of a cannon? The title sounds strange and not in a way that it sticks.

Comment by Magdalene June 4 permalink
Mendelssohn Wedding March
This is the reasoning our diocese gives and that I pass on to the couples: "Per Diocesan policy, we cannot permit two specific pieces for weddings: Bridal March (“Here Comes the Bride”) by Richard Wagner; and Wedding March by Felix Mendelssoh…

Comment by Magdalene June 4 permalink
Please tell me about your funeral choirs
Up until about a month ago I did all the funerals by myself. Then a friend of a choir member passed and she asked to sing alto with me at the funeral. Sounded amazing! Our priest liked it and said it reminded him of his home parish having a funeral …

Comment by Magdalene May 14 permalink
Some easy choral pieces by contemporary Polish composers
I have been using their music for the past year after they sent me the links CGM referenced. My choir and I love them because of their beauty and ease of learning. I have reached out to request music from other albums as well and they generously pro…

Comment by Magdalene May 6 permalink
Congregational singing
I believe the role of music is supporting the Liturgy and bringing the congregation deeper into prayer. If that means silence on their part or singing along, that’s up to them. The best feedback I got was actually from a choir member this past week.…

Comment by Magdalene March 19 permalink
String Quartet Wedding Prelude
I wouldn't worry about everyone else. Our wedding started at 11:00, so ended at lunch time. My husband's family and friends are not catholic and we had probably 20 kids mostly under the age of 5 at our wedding. We had a long meditation hym…

Comment by Magdalene February 5 permalink
College Suggestions for Organ and/or Composition Major and Musical Wisdom Requested
That's unfortunate about Franciscan. Sorry, I didn't know the current status.

Comment by Magdalene February 4 permalink
College Suggestions for Organ and/or Composition Major and Musical Wisdom Requested
I have friends who went to Franciscan University in Steubenville, OH. They have a sacred music program and they came out very proficient in organ, chant, composition, improvisation, and knowledge of Liturgy. Further away, but direct experience, I w…

Comment by Magdalene February 4 permalink
Self-published pew resource?
I made a hymnal this past year. Time consuming, but not too difficult.

Comment by Magdalene January 29 permalink
Question about pay
Upstate New York, I get paid full time salary, but additionally compensated for Funerals and Weddings. $350 for Weddings, $150 for Funerals. Based off of that, I would say it is fair to pay extra for Holy Week, Christmas etc when more is involved, j…

Comment by Magdalene January 14 permalink
Weddings that start late: how do you handle this?
For context, I am the organist, cantor, parish wedding coordinator, etc so I am there from unlocking the doors, until the end of Vigil Mass later that evening, so I'm already slated to be at the church ~5 hours. Rarely does the couple hire addi…

Comment by Magdalene January 14 permalink
Looking for a Traditional Catholic Hymnal
I just finished my own parish hymnal! (except the SATB/accomp version. That's almost done) If you would like a link, let me know. It's primarily Public Domain hymns, with a few token pieces from the Dominican Liturgical Center in Kraków t…

Comment by Magdalene November 2024 permalink
Singing seasonal Marian Antiphons
For the past three years we've been singing the Marian Antiphons during the purification of the vessels as well. I know it's not the best time so I do wait until the tabernacle has been closed. Maybe that doesn't make a difference, bu…

Comment by Magdalene September 2024 permalink
Bridge-Building Hymns for NO wedding mass
I wouldn't pick any of the ones I listed either. It's just an answer to the question of what might be recognized by the couple in question.

Comment by Magdalene September 2024 permalink
Bridge-Building Hymns for NO wedding mass
I have found these to be frequently chosen for weddings: Ubi Caritas (Hurd) I Received the Living God How Beautiful Where Love is Found (Schutte)

Comment by Magdalene September 2024 permalink
Are you the cantor too?
All I've ever known was singing while playing the organ. It's what all our music directors did when I was growing up (though they played piano, not organ). I only have a choir at one Mass on the weekends, so I sing the other two by myself…

Comment by Magdalene June 2024 permalink
Is it necessary to announce the hymn if everything is in the worship aid?
We have a number board. I announce only the opening hymn and closing hymn so there's no disrupting the flow of the actual Mass. Nothing is announced at funerals or weddings.

Comment by Magdalene May 2024 permalink
Hymn for the Divine Mercy?
I got permission from the Marian Fathers a few years ago to make slight alterations and set some of the text from the Diary (522 to be exact) to some common hymn tunes. I use them for the Feast Day as well as throughout the year. I'm having tr…

Comment by Magdalene April 2024 permalink
For NO peoples... Regarding changing psalmody sets
I've been using my own Psalm settings for the past year and half. Very simple chant style, but more movement than the Ignatius Pew Missal's that we currently have in the pews. No complaints and the congregation sings the refrain without an…

Comment by Magdalene March 2024 permalink
Wedding/Funeral Rep. Option PDFs
Here are ours. On our website we have all the readings and a link to our funeral playlist so they can hear the first verse of each song. For weddings, examples are linked in the document.

Comment by Magdalene June 2023 permalink
Fee recommendation
I am also in the Northeast, have no music degree, and both sing and play the organ. I'm salaried, so I can't give you a set stipend per Sunday Mass, but I get $150 for funerals and $350 for weddings. For funerals, I sight-read at this poin…

Comment by Magdalene May 2023 permalink
Hand arthritis
I was told if I had plates they would have to remove them after a few months, but luckily that was avoided. One of the screws is actually down the center of a metacarpal, so I'm not sure that's an option, and that's the one that flare…

Comment by Magdalene April 2023 permalink
Revamping Choral Program
Thank you for the continued suggestions. I will look into the Catholic Book of Hymns and their other resources. It looks promising! Since you have mentioned Paul Jernberg, he is popping up everywhere and friends keep telling me about his documentar…

Comment by Magdalene February 2023 permalink
Revamping Choral Program
Thank you for the advice. As far as quick Masses goes, don't worry. The fifteen minute Masses were from ~3 pastors ago. Our "quick" is ~40 minutes. Our priest is OK with Latin. Since we are a Marian parish, we sing the seasonal Maria…

Comment by Magdalene February 2023 permalink

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About

Username: Magdalene
Joined: February 2023
Visits: 350
Last Active: August 5
Roles: Member
Posts: 29
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