IPM Year A Psalms and choir loft/ambo dilemma
  • ejklemz
    Posts: 6
    Has anyone who uses the Ignatius Pew Missal noticed that half of the Psalms for Year A are in mismatched modes? As in, the responses are in a different mode from the verses? I'm capable enough to sing the right tone on the fly, but it's driving me crazy. I'm planning on sending them an email but was wondering if anyone else noticed this.

    Also, side note:
    My Bishop is now mandating that the psalm be sung from the ambo. I know this is where they ought to be sung, however we have a choir loft and I simply cannot be in two places at once. But because of the Bishop, I now have to figure out how to bi-locate, or we sacrifice the psalm being sung at all (our readers definitely won't). My choir is shy in front of people so until I can train a few others on singing into a bad mic the only option at the moment is me.

    My solution so far is to come down during the Gloria and go up with the reader, on days I have a choir to support (so the vigil will definitely be spoken, sadly). That way I'm not out of breath and am not a distraction during the first reading. And then have a choir member sing the Alleluia after the second reading if I can't make it back up in time.

    Does anyone who has a choir loft have experience with this? It's not the biggest deal, but I am annoyed.
  • RoborgelmeisterRoborgelmeister
    Posts: 439
    I would consult with your priest and have him ask for a dispensation. I would call the mandate an over reach. The physical constraints of each parish should be taken into consideration. One size DOES NOT fit all.
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen irishtenor Caleferink
  • CaleferinkCaleferink
    Posts: 473
    If the bishop isn't there (which, outside of the cathedral, that would be about 51 Sundays of the year), sing it from the loft. With all due respect to the bishop, he (and others like him) seem to not understand that the Psalm is a response to the readings, and if it is to be sung as it should be, he needs to have some flexibility as to where it is sung from (as the GIRM permits). Most bishops aren't musicians and don't understand the problems that are raised with a choir loft at the opposite end from the sanctuary.
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