Last Minute Advent IV
  • CarsonHaupt
    Posts: 46
    So I (a college student who just arrived home for break), was just put in charge of the music for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. I'll be singing acapella with an older (and fairly loud) gentleman. We're in a parish with average to subpar music, so what can I do that's simple, reverent, in line with what the Church asks for, and yet doesn't rock the boat too terribly much?

    I'm already planning on using at least some of the Simple English Propers for the day- most likely just the antiphons. What else would be good? What would you use in this scenario?
    Thanked by 1tsoapm
  • PaxTecum
    Posts: 314
    SEP - great idea.
    O come, O come, Emmanuel is well suited for a-cappella singing (You could even sing it in - eghad! - Latin)

    The offertory this week is "Ave Maria, gratia plena, .......ventris tui"
    You could sing the actual offertory. You could also sing any other version of "Ave Maria" ie: the chant hymn version. I don't see any reason why you couldn't sing the whole thing. Ave Maria is usually a latin text that people are familiar with and won't complain about.

    In your shoes, I would probably do this:

    Entrance Hymn: Veni Veni Emmanuel (in English most likely)
    Entrance Chant: SEP (when the procession reaches the altar)
    Kyrie: Missa XVII
    Resp. Psalm: Something from watershed that uses gregorian psalm tones (probably Royce Nickel or Richard Rice or Sam Schmitt)
    Alleluia: Mode vi
    Offertory: Ave Maria (either the "chant hymn" or the proper from GR)
    ICEL Chant Mass
    Communion: SEP
    Exit Procession: Alma Redemptoris Mater
    Thanked by 2canadash rich_enough
  • CarsonHaupt
    Posts: 46
    A lot of that looks a lot like what I had in mind- the only thing this congregation has never been exposed to is the ICEL Chant Mass, so I probably won't be able to use that. I'll look for a Psalm- and hope it goes better than last time I tried something other than R&A.
    I'm afraid that if I "replace" one of the hymns with a proper (even though that's the exact opposite of reality), people will get upset. Any suggestions there?
  • Kathy
    Posts: 5,510
    Creator of the Stars of Night after Communion
    Immaculate Mary at Offertory, with one of you singing harmony
    Thanked by 4PaxTecum canadash Carol PaxMelodious
  • Carol
    Posts: 856
    Lo How a Rose is appropriate this week isn't it?
  • PaxMelodious
    Posts: 443
    Start by asking the older gentleman what he knows from the suggestions above - unless you're expecting him to learn something new (not likely realistic).

    And remember: This is likely to be the least well attended Sunday Mass for the last 7 (or maybe more) years. The people who are there are either ones travelling later in the day so won't get to any other Christmas Mass - or serious Catholics who are more likely receptive to "proper music" - you likely have more latitude to use things at this Mass than any other.
    Thanked by 1tsoapm
  • PaxTecum
    Posts: 314
    How did it end up???
  • CarsonHaupt
    Posts: 46
    I have music printed off, we finally got on the same page about who was singing what mass (somehow everyone got... very confused), and I gave him his music today. We're practicing an hour before mass Sunday (not ideal but what worked with our schedules), and I'm hopeful.
    Thanked by 1PaxTecum
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