I need some new music for Confirmation and was wondering what most of you are using. I have a baritone, a mezzo, and the children's choir singing. This is my pastor's first Confirmation and we have a new Bishop, so anything you can suggest would be appreciated. Please keep it simple. Thanks for much.
O Taste and See is wonderful! One of my favorite pieces.
The children's choir at my church is singing an arrangement of Come, Holy Ghost by John Cousin. It's for Pentecost, but I think it would be very appropriate for Confirmation as well.
Depending on the Bishop, he may be a strong encourager of singing the propers of the Mass. I know our Bishop here in my Diocese is.
Perhaps check and see if they regularly sing the propers at your Cathedral - that might be a sign that he is strongly in favor of them. Or perhaps check to see if the Bishop has written any essays or given any speeches on liturgical/sacred music that you can find.
Our Confirmation Mass this evening at Saint Edward, Newark, CA
Welcome the Bishop: "Ecce sacerdos magnus" ... Sir Edward Elgar Procession of Confirmandi: "The Spirit of the Lord" ... Chant, setting by Dorlaque Procession of the Clergy: "Caritas Dei" ... Graduale Chant Sprinkling Rite: Vidi aquam ... Graduale Gloria XV ... ICEL Adaptation Resp. Psalm 104 ... Mode VIII Chant, setting by Rev. Jeffrey R. Keyes, CPPS Alleluia: Emitte Spiritum ... Mode IV Chant, Graduale After the Gospel: "Alleluia al Vangelo" ... Andrea Gabrieli Offertory: Confirma hoc Deus ... Mode IV Chant, Graduale Offertory Motet: "Confirma hoc Deus" ... Antonio Salieri Eucharistic Acclamations: "Community Mass" ... Rev. by Richard Proulx (2010) Agnus Dei VIII ... Missa de angelis Communion Procession: Communio: "Qui vult venire post me" w/ Psalm 33/34 ... Graduale in Latin "Qui vult" from "Simple English Propers" ... Adam Barlett Motet: "O Taste and See" ... Ralph Vaughan Williams Antiphon to the BVM: "Regina coeli laetare!" ... Antonio Lotti
Retiring Procession: CANTATA 129: Vs V: "Dem wir das Heilig itzt" ... J.S. Bach
If you have the luxury of Brass and tympani, Carl Schalk wrote a wonderful "Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove" set for Choir & Congregation. It plays on the Sarum Mode VIII version of "Creator Spiritus" and the German chorale "Komm, Gott Schoepfer, Heiliger Geist," The schola sings the even numbered verses in chant, with Tutti on the odd numbered verses on the chorale. It's a spectacular setting for Confimation or Pentecost! Check it out!
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