Positive Change

ncicero

Perhaps there are previous threads one could direct me to, but I had a brief question about how to incorporate more chant and "authentic" church music into the liturgy.

I recently became director of music at a parish that seems very accustomed to the "4-hymn sandwich" that so many American parishes use. I have already taken the step of reducing the amount of Haas, Haugen, St. Louis Jesuits material that was sung under the previous director, but now I'm looking toward the future and really radically changing the way in which we plan and execute music, moving toward a model that is more in line with a Catholic vision of what "good church music" is.

The question is, where do I start? My pastor is supportive of the changes I've made so far, but would not be receptive to too much change happening at once, or increasing the length of Mass (as apparently Minnesotans are very concerned about this). Choir members and cantors would be receptive to a certain degree, if I spun it right. I know I want to start incorporating:

a. more chant, and chant-based resources
b. the propers of the Roman Gradual, in Latin, English, or a combination of both
c. simple polyphony (the choir is in a rebuilding stage)
d. newly-composed hymns in a sacred style

The parishioners already know the ICEL chants, so that may be a possible starting point!

Where do I go from here?

Thanks!

Schönbergian

There's no reason you can't introduce the propers alongside your pre-existing set of hymns, at least as an intermediate stage.

irishtenor

Also, you could use "hymn-tune propers" which allow you to use a familiar hymn tune with a poetic paraphrase of the proper text. I believe (forum member) Kathy Pluth has some products available in this vein, and also Christoph Tietze.

ClergetKubisz

You need your pastors support before you change anything. If he won’t go for it, you’re sunk.

a_f_hawkins

Caution - I am just an aged PIP who has never had responsibility for music. However, some thoughts:
The propers are generally psalms with an antiphon or response, is the congregation used to this form? if not, start with singing the responsorial psalm.
The offertory may give a free choice, since there is nothing printed in the missal to constrain choice. The Graduale Simplex in Latin, or By Flowing Waters, Paul F. Ford in English give chant (authentic chant tones), and there are other similar collections (I like Ainslie's original Simple Gradual for Sundays and Holydays, although you need to retitle some sections because it predates the 1969 Calendar change).
A baby step towards polyphony is the Gelineau psalm settings, which can be sung in four-part harmony.
I endorse irishtenor's advocacy of Kathy Pluth's introits. They may not look as though they are perfectly proper, but one intended purpose of the Missal's Latin antiphons (which are generally expanded versions of the sung propers) was to encourage the composition of vernacular sung texts. More information here.
Do you sing during communion? or afterwards? you can do both, though I prefer silence after. Psalm 34/33 is always allowed as the communion chant, the people need to learn just two antiphons for the whole year, to sing as they come up in procession.

ryand

Here are the steps I took to 180 a music program:

-Change the psalm and alleluia immediately.
I use Lumen Christi psalms. Gregorian in style and easy for a congregation to sing. Simplex alleluias (also found in Lumen Christi books). I let them sit with one mode for awhile and changed it about once a month / liturgical season. After awhile you can start using whichever mode is assigned for that weekend. These two changes are minimal and you leave everything else for awhile. Engrave the chants in modern notation if you must, but if you can put these in a worship aid with the square notes it also introduces that to the congregation.

-If there is a “great amen,” stop that nonsense immediately. If the priest chants, chant the response. If he speaks, say amen. If anybody gives you grief, politely inform them that it is a simple response and the great amen is not a thing.

-Take inventory of hymns / songs used over the past two years. Cross out anything absolutely awful and make a short list of what you can stomach. Introduce better hymnody alongside some of the “old favorites,” and if you’re left with stuff that’s just “throwing them a bone,” slowly let those songs fall into distant memory.

-Start chipping away at the Ordinary if the one being used is undignified. If they’re comfortable with ICEL just start with that. Now. Otherwise, Kyrie and Agnus are easiest to replace. Use Memorial Acclamation A always. The others are lacking the full acclamation of death, resurrection, and return.

Sanctus next, and Gloria last. Make sure they are adequately prepared for a new Gloria by whatever means you have necessary - this is the one thing I get the most complaints about ... even at an Oratory parish with musical parishioners. The text is so long that you’ll want to introduce any new melodies for at least a month ahead of the change. This could be done by improvising on the melodic themes as a prelude or during communion, or by *shudder* practicing it with the congregation before Mass for a few weeks. I hate to do that but sometimes it has to be done.

-During the above, introduce the communion antiphon. There are a wealth of great resources for these. Doesn’t have to include all verses, or any verses at all to begin with. But do at least chant the antiphon as the priest receives communion. After you finish whatever duration of chant you deem fit, then is a good time to pull out one of the “old favorites” and let everyone’s blood pressure regulate. Gradually phase that out and start using Eucharist hymnody after chanting the antiphon and verses.

-Hymn tune introits as mentioned above. This is a good chance for catechesis. It can be from the ambo, or a blurb in the bulletin ... whatever it takes. Here you or your pastor explain what that newfangled communion thing is and that there is a text assigned to the Mass for Entrance, Offertory, and Communion ... just as there is a Responsorial Psalm. Close with “How blessed we are here at St Polycarp to be rediscovering the fullness of the Mass and its music!”

Because the hymn tune does not cover the full procession, I used the appointed introit verses set to psalm tones, then a 2-4 measure intro back into the hymn tune and sing that text again. Use as many verses as needed, always end with the hymn tune. This is the only music used for the procession at this point.

-At the start of a festive season (Christmas or Easter) switch to using an entrance hymn (not introit text, just any suitable hymn) followed by a chanted introit as the procession enters the sanctuary.

-Add the Offertory antiphon at some point. Usually these are fairly long, so once through the antiphon and then on to another hymn usually works well. Also a good place to “throw them a bone” for awhile if the blood pressures are elevated.

-Polyphony as your choir’s skill allows. If you can only pull it off once in awhile, always shoot for the festive seasons.

If you do this carefully and answer complaints with a smile and a polite explanation of the changes (don’t reveal your whole plan! Just address specific concerns), they’ll look back in 6 months and say, “Wow, what a difference.”

chonak

Is it possible that the pastor might allow for one Sunday Mass to run longer, to be something that the parish can be proud of?

If the parish is not currently singing the Our Father, see if you can get permission to do that; the version composed by Snow, which is in the U.S. edition of the Roman Missal, is somewhat chant-like and congregations like to sing it. Figure out in advance how much time it takes sung vs. spoken.

janetgorbitz

Great suggestions by ryand!

When I have changed things at a parish, I took things very gradually, as ryan mentioned. When you add in the propers, just add them for awhile instead of supplanting a hymn. It is easy to add a simply chanted antiphon for entrance, offertory and communion and still have time for their beloved hymns. Richard Rice's Simple Choral Gradual is a nice option -- particularly for the offertory. If your choir can sing it SATB a capella, the parishioners will really love it, as they can hear and understand the text so well.

They really love post-communion motets... check out Heath Morber's English adaptations...

Strangely enough... without ever mentioning why, I just never schedule hymns that I think are heretical or really awful... and as long as they still have hymns that are in the books and that they know, no one has complained...

melofluent

make a short list of what you can stomach

What the shotcallers can "stomach" has often proved a two edged sword. For example, Toolanbread is deemed by me to be unpalatable, whereas I deem FestivalCanticle (Hillert) abfab for processions. Have I taken into account which of those tasteful choices will be taken up by the PIPs? I call this the "Snowbird Dilemma."

Kyrie and Agnus are easiest to replace...Sanctus next, and Gloria last.

I wouldn't gauge engagement with what's "easiest." Liturgically and theologically the Holy/Glory both should take precedence over the Agnus Dei. I would implement the Sanctus first, and use the ICEL Gloria (perhaps with a complimentary accompaniment) until all else is achieved and then fold the newer setting in with care.

Also, let's not forget the pivotal and paramount role the celebrant's chanting leadership provides towards, ahem, FCAP.

ryand

With the Snowbord Dillema I really don’t care what the PIP response to the “white list” is. It’s meant to be short-lived anyway, if the long-term goal is to clean the temple of all schlock.

“Why don’t we sing SUCHANDSUCH anymore?”

Choose one:
a. Lyrics are problematic
b. Not suitable for congregational singing
c. It’s probably on the roster soon. (it’s not) I don’t have it on me at the moment so I couldn’t tell you when.
d. Because you’re not the DM, sir/madam.

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