I hope that this will be a viable thread topic because, if nothing else, I suspect that there are many others like me who would greatly appreciate the examples and ideas of others for inspiration in their own music planning. Other sites certainly do have this function but, as a young member of the CMAA charged with planning and executing our parish's music program, I find the competence, experience and knowledge concentrated within this organization to be at such a high level that it is unmatched on other "sacred music" websites and in other liturgically focused forums.

As is clearly stated, the goal of the CMAA is "the advancement of musica sacra in keeping with the norms established by competent ecclesiastical authority." Some people, like myself, either have little or no regular personal contact with other music directors and are not music professionals. All the same, we are seeking to bring our parishes better in line with the liturgical directives of the Church as regards sacred music.

Out of the many educational and inspirational threads available on the Musica Sacra forum, one single thread devoted to keeping others abreast of our own liturgical planning in an effort to educate and inspire does not seem like too much to ask.

I would greatly appreciate if a thread such as the one I have proposed here be allowed. As all are doubtlessly aware, not every parish music program is run by a professionally trained choir master or musician with a degree in choral direction or vocal performance and endless professional contacts in the field. Of those parishes who utilize the services of volunteer, non-professional music coordinators, many (like ours) are willing and able to help (at least musically) with the Reform of the Reform. But sadly (at least in my case), the Internet is almost the sole source of our information as to how to do just that. A plain and straight-forward thread like this one would be of great benefit, especially considering the fact that this is "friendly territory" as regards our collective views.

Of course, I bow to the competent authorities in this matter and, if it is decided that such a thread is somehow against the "ethos of the CMAA," I will gladly drop the subject.

I don't think there is any question that most readers come to this site to see something other than OCP fare, and that is what we aim to provide. However, for the purposes of this thread, I don't think it is necessarily bad to list a Respond & Acclaim Psalm setting if that is what you are really doing. Is it the CMAA ideal? No. But it is the truth, and others who visit the forum will see that you may be struggling, just like they are, with striking an artistic, and sadly, political balance in your parish from week to week. Advising against OCP and like materials might actually discourage participation in the thread.

What will be interesting, if this thread persists, is to see how the shape of our liturgies change over time.

My personal opinion, of course.

From a church musician stuck inside the box, who nevertheless considers it time off Purgatory, I thank you, Dogwood, for your generosity in sharing your work. I will respond with the same.
Parish name: St. Mark, Wheaton, Illinois, Joliet diocese
Parish location: American midwest
Liturgy: Mss for Baptism of Our Lord
Introit: Come Down, O Love Divine
Kyrie: spoken
Gloria: Hylton
Res. Psalm: OCP
Alleluia: OCP
Credo: spoken
Offertory: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
Eucharistic Prayer Preface: spoken
Sanctus: Owen Alstott
Mysterium Fidei: Eng. chant, Sacramentary
Amen: same
Lord's Prayer: spoken
Agnus Dei: Owen Alstott
Communion hymn: meditations from the organ:
Ave Verum Corpus; and Dialogue on the Vox Humaine, Couperin.
Post-Communion: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Final Hymn: All Hail, Adored Trinity

The prototype that I listed previously will be the same for the Sundays in Ordinary Time, except of course that the hymns change, so I won't bother to list all. However, in two weeks, we will begin singing the Lord's Prayer (English chant). And, during Lent we will sing the Ordinaries in Latin. Also, whenever I get English Propers from Fr. Weber, I use the Communion proper with Psalm verses. I have never seen the By Flowing Waters, but am interested in looking at it after hearing witness on one of these sites. Also, I play a Mass in another parish once a month, and there (this Sunday) I use the Gregorian Introit, Alleluia, and Communion Antiphons from the Gregorian Missal, the Psalm in English from Fr. Weber (if available), the Gregorian Mysterium Fedei, the Pater Noster, plus one hymn, the Offeratory. All Ordinaries in Latin. The priest usually speaks the Mass in English, although last month he said the Eucharistic Prayer in Latin. It's an interesting mix of Latin and English, and it seems to work. I have no problem going in and out of English and Latin, just so long as the chant is beautiful.

priorstf,

I am right there with you. I have commented on other threads that I would love to be able to approach something more along the lines of music for the OF drawn from the Graduale, Gregorian Missal, etc., and throw in some polyphony. As it stands, I'm fighting the "we're a large parish, so you need to keep everyone happy by sticking close to 50/50 between the "red book" (Worship III) and the "blue book" (the old Gather 2nd ed.)" which of course really means sharing the misery rather than trying to elevate the quality.

No, it's not purgatory because the Catechism of the Church tells us that it's a period of "purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven." (1030). Singing garbage music week after week while being "permitted" to sing the good stuff at really odd points in the liturgy (second offertory? huh?) is really torturous, which we're assured purgatory is not. You're actually in a form of Pharohnic bondage, to which we must all cry, "LET MY PEOPLE GO!"

Gee G,

work in the occasional proper or choral anthem or motet is exactly what I'd like to glean from this forum. I admit my knowledge of the repertoire isn't total and if you know of a great motet on a proper text, I'm all ears.

Oh, Paul, I hope I didn't write anything to imply I had any of the answers.
Me, I'm all about questions.

(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)

Great Stuff, David. Tell me about the Charpentier, and where's a good place to find it. What key do you sing Sicut Cervus in?

Paul,

The Charpentier was something I stumbled across at CPDL. Being unfamiliar with it, I asked a friend who said that it's a "falso bordone" setting of the psalm chant. It's homophonic (as one would expect with a falso bordone) with two shorter sections sung by a solo voice.

I'm going to compare it to whatever I find in the Liber Usualis to see if I can figure out more about it.

The Sicut cervus was also a CPDL find. The edition found there is in A-flat, and the editorial information indicates that it was originally pitched a minor third lower.

Jeffrey, I have a question about your programs (which are beautiful, btw). Do you get feedback from your parish staff or the congregation on them? Specifically, while I applaud the effort you make to include English translations for all the Latin texts, I'm wondering how many people actually take the time to read them and pray with them, or follow your singing with them in mind.

Here is our program for Laetare. I'm getting more brazen about posting this stuff since we started doing full Mass settings and, now even (!!!!!), singing the Introit as the processional. Exciting times for us. I hope we don't goof it up.