New English Mass Ordinary - Looking for Feedback
  • JacobFlahertyJacobFlaherty
    Posts: 331
    Hello, all! I have composed an English Mass Ordinary entitled, Mass in Honor of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. (He is a personal favorite of mine!) It is meant to be sung with choir and congregation, retain a sing-able sense, all while not being stale and harmonically bland. I'm not sure I achieved these goals, but they were goals none-the-less. Wondering if you'd be willing to offer some feedback. Would you see your parish using it (if you are an Ordinary Form parish..)? Thank you for your time and feedback! God bless you!
    Mass in Honor of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.pdf
    378K
    Thanked by 3Heath CHGiffen Casavant Organist
  • francis
    Posts: 10,825
    Hi Jacob:

    Nice work.

    Here are my immediate suggestions for voice leading. Take it our leave it as you may.

    Kyrie

    measure 3 - tenor line, third beat, move b up to e and keep it through 4th beat

    measure 5 - tenor line, third beat, move d# down to b

    Gloria

    measure 6 - "we" melody line is a bit much. how about e-d#-e instead of e-b-e? (motif is then same as measure 8)

    measure 9 - melody suggestion, f#-g#-a

    measure 14 - melody suggestion, g#-a and then measure 16, e-g#-a#

    etc.

    Sanctus

    measure 1- bass line, third beat, put b up and octave

    etc.

    Agnus

    measure 5 into measure 6, parallel motion from beat 4 to beat 1

    etc.

    In general.

    Melody lines could use more larger waves. in other words, keep going up over two or three measures and then come down over two or three measures. your lines are up and down in one measure.

    Watch voice leading. Don't skip over a note in resolving to the next chord within a particular voice.

    Great work.


    Thanked by 1JacobFlaherty
  • Casavant Organist
    Posts: 805
    I could see this ordinary working in our church. I will see if we use it. Great work!
    Thanked by 1JacobFlaherty
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