Own Arrangements in Services?
  • Daughter_of_a_King
    Posts: 4
    Hi friends! Nice to virtually meet you :)

    Gonna have a lot of newbie questions in the next little bit, since I'm considering working towards being a professional Catholic church musician/music director at a smaller parish. I hope that's okay.

    My past work has been as a music director at a smaller Presbyterian church and my current work is as a music director at a smaller Anglican church. Both have played a combination of traditional hymns and CCM. I've also worked in theatre. I both sing and accompany myself, as well as playing other instruments. At the church jobs, I've been allowed to make my own arrangements most of the time, playing by chords, by ear, or even reharmonizing things after reading the hymnbook arrangement. I've been told that my musical strengths are harmony, singing, songwriting, and playing by ear. I've also been told that I'm pretty decent at sight reading and transposing. However, my ability to become confident and consistent in playing music I've learned from sheet music is far, far below the average professional who plays traditional hymns, especially since I am self-taught on the piano. (BMus but not piano. Just started organ lessons though.) It takes me a ridiculous amount of practice to get to the point of performing any particular piece of sheet music well (unless of course, it's uber rudimentary). I know that I can learn the Catholic music exactly as is arranged in hymnbooks, but I don't think I could learn the arrangements for the eight-ish (?) songs a week that it takes to stay above water as a professional, starting out at a new parish with all new repertoire.

    In the Catholic church, is making your own arrangements allowed? I know there are probably certain rules, like not making things too distracting. But are you required to play the exact arrangements in the hymnbook, even if you keep the melody the same? Also, are allowed to change the key?

    Thank you so much!
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 2,092
    There's no particular law that I know of.
    If the congregation has parts, it's a kindness to play what they have. Likewise, if you're accompanying choral music in parts. But if it's a melodic line, it's acceptable. If it's a hymn, changing accompaniments is considered a virtue. You may get a little flak from the congregation if "it doesn't sound like what we're used to" but probably not much if any.
    Thanked by 4ServiamScores DavidOLGC WGS Daughter_of_a_King
  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,478
    I suggest you look at https://sacredmusiclibrary.com/music where there are guides for organists in Catholic churches, some useful stuff is free.
    Thanked by 3ServiamScores francis Daughter_of_a_King
  • rvisser
    Posts: 55
    If you are just starting organ, this might be a helpful resource for you: https://organistsonline.org/hymns/
    I have used it with organ students in the past. The arrangements have fewer notes (and many can be played on manuals only) but the harmonies sound like what you would find in the hymn books.
    Thanked by 2StimsonInRehab Daughter_of_a_King
  • Daughter_of_a_King
    Posts: 4
    Thank you so much for your guidance and resources! I'm feeling very hopeful about this now, and I feel more confident going for it: Starting to learn and seeing how far I can get. Thank you so, so much!

    (Now that I know I want to go for it, you're gonna see me post a lot more questions in this forum. I hope that's not annoying. Thank you wonderful, musical, children of God!)
  • francis
    Posts: 10,848
    Just prepare yourself... and think of yourself as a 'musical missionary'... you are there to carry the Gospel of JC (and of sacred music) into the world in which we live. Prayers for you and a hearty welcome and thank you for your effort!
    Thanked by 1Daughter_of_a_King
  • Daughter_of_a_King
    Posts: 4
    Thank you for your encouragement and prayers, francis!
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