We usually do proper first, except at the entrance procession where we sing hymn then Introit.

We do propers first, except with introits. When we do introits, we do them as preludes.

We're different! At the Entrance, we do the proper second; the procession is begun with the ringing of the bell and the entrance hymn; the proper accompanies the incensing of the altar. At offertory, we sing it second. I find that this nicely "sandwiches" the Eucharistic prayers between the offertory and communion, which we do first. We sing this while Father is consuming the body and blood of Christ.

There are two schools of thought on propers and hymns.

The introit is the one with most arguements over it. In the EF the mass starts at the introit, which is chanted during the prayers at the foot of the altar and at the incensing of the altar. In the modern OF it starts with the greeting. It isn't wrong to sing the propers and then a hymn at the start of the OF mass, but it is somewhat more in keeping with traditional to sing a hymn during the entrance procession and then chant the propers during the incensing of the altar.

Of course, if you parish doesn't regularly use incense you need to choose one or the other. I try to find a hymn which has a similar text or at least a similar theme/tone to the text of the propers. (eg if it is a praising text, then I would use "Praise to the Lord the Almighty", but if it were a pleading text, I would use "O God Our Help in Ages Past") Otherwise I would look to the liturgical season particularly outside of ordinary time.

For the Offertory and Communion, it is proper to sing the propers first and then fill in any remaining time with a motet, hymn or other suitable piece of music. I particularly make use of the Communion Propers where I have a small group chanting them, whilst most of the choir go for communion and when the rest of the choir returns they sing a communion hymn whilst the small group go to communion.

Become comfortable with an introit alone , (and supplement it with another short refrain for the congregation to sing). The introit creates a more prayful dynamic different from what we experience with an entrance hymn. the Introit alone really sets the tone for praying the Mass. Some hymns are too powerful , and unfold themselves more effectively when not attached as background music to a liturgical action; they need lots of room like the caiptulum in the Office.

You will find that many motets are based on the texts from the propers anyway, so it is possible to substituted the motet directly.

At the EF, the priest would say the proper AFTER communion is finished. It isn't uncommon for EF places to do the communion proper last (as @tomjaw mentions above).

I think the introit depends on many things. If you priest doesn't like introits, do them first: he can't complain about a prelude that sounds nice. Sometimes, I think an SATB entrance antiphon actually sounds better before the hymn due to textures, etc., but that is just a matter of taste and the traditional practice is venerable.

Thank you once again for your responses and for sharing your expertise and experience in this matter. Last night at choir practice I brought the issue of switching the order of the communion proper and hymn around. The choir director graciously heard me out and made the switch. We are a brand new little schola and we have a huge learning curve in front of us. Thanks for your guidance.

Deborah

If I remember right, the 1958 document on sacred music moved the Communion antiphon to the start of communion, so the practice in some EF Mass communities (singing it at the completion of distribution of communion) would be contrary to the norms in effect in 1962.

Actually, the GIRM specifies:

86. While the Priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion Chant is begun. [...] However, if there is to be a hymn after Communion, the Communion Chant should be ended in a timely manner.

GIRM 86 "... the communion chant should be ended in a timely manner."

That is a little open to interpretation at times. I like to use the most excellent SEP communion chants (often the ad libitum ones) to give a portion of the choir time to go to communion. When they return I send the rest of the choir to communion and have a communion hymn. If I have timed it well, the chant and hymn cover the entire of communion and the purification of the sacred vessels, with a little time for a quiet organ interlude (usually improvised on the communion hymn tune) to aid in prayer.

If you priest doesn't like introits, do them first: he can't complain about a prelude that sounds nice.

!!!funny.

Or if you want to be (need to be) even more subliminal, as I often do: simply play the Introit as an organ prelude before the entrance hymn. Even though the text isn't being heard, someday, somehow sacredness at Mass will be restored. :)

Singing it after the hymn makes more logical/liturgical sense, but we're not there yet.