LIFE TEEN Core Training MUSIC

Brief History  Music in the Mass has had a long and rich tradition.  We have manuscripts and historical accounts of music reaching as far back as 500AD in the times of Pope Gregory and Gregorian chant, whereby music was composed for prayer and as a way of elevating those prayers to a higher consciousness.  Sacred music was written by composers such as Palestrina and J.S.Bach and by various other composers who wrote specifically for Masses.

Brief History  The composition of sacred music or liturgical music has continued through to today. We know of songs such as “One Bread, One Body” and “Here I Am, Lord”. We can sing along to the latest Matt Maher or Tom Booth song.  We become part of the tradition that is our liturgy, our Mass.  We make links with what has come before us, and we live out our liturgy to make the future.

So…  The music is the soundtrack for the Mass.

Why sing in the first place?  St Augustine: “those who sing, pray twice”  Mary Beth Knude-Anderson, diocesan director of worship for Chicago: "I think it is time to bid farewell to the stigma that the Catholic Church in town is the one where nobody sings!...we don't merely sing at the liturgy, but we actually sing the liturgy.... Singing the liturgy is what people need to be doing...."

Why sing in the first place?  "The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of immeasurable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred melody united to words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy." (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, No. 112)

Why sing in the first place? Well, how ‘bout you tell me…

Why sing in the first place? Thoughts from Paul Innwood (1995) (We Shall Draw Water Joyfully)  Singing "heightens the meaning of the text."  Singing uplifts "special moments" of the liturgy, like the Triduum blessings of fire and water.

Why sing in the first place?  Singing and music slow us down and make us take our time at Mass. Slower music "can give the assembly space to pray, especially if there is an instrumental pause."  Singing hymns "opens us up, makes us vulnerable, allows God to speak to us."  Singing hymns also provides a means of identity for the local church, the parish. It bonds the community together. (A parish can be greatly strengthened, Inwood has found, by having a hymn that is like a "theme song" for that community.)

Why sing in the first place?  Singing "creates a mood," and designs an environment that encourages our communal and personal response to God's Word.  Even more important, singing instructs the assembly in a way of prayer. Singing hymns moves us and leads us to places of spiritual attentiveness and sensitivity that the spoken word cannot.

Why sing in the first place?  Singing is… Full Conscious Active Participation

What is good liturgical music? Good liturgical music…  is prayer.  is grounded in scripture.  is musically relevant, for example, choice of instruments and styles.  is played by competent, quality, God-centred musicians and singers…who rehearse.

What is good liturgical music? Good liturgical music…  works in the flow of the liturgy itself and is mindful of the nuances that the Mass contains.  is singable. It has to be in a key in which all can sing easily. Melodically, it needs to be simple and repetitive. Don’t forget to transpose all relevant instrumental parts (or hit the transpose buttons!)

What musicians and singers need to know.  The musicians and singers are servants. Their role is to elevate the congregation, to support and lead them in prayer and song.  Ego does not have a place in music ministry!  Musicians and singers are (obviously) visible and are heard. A God-centred life, a life built on our faith and teachings of Jesus Christ must go hand-in-hand with music ministry.

What musicians and singers need to know.  "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (Colossians 3:16,17).

What musicians and singers need to know.  St Augustine. Sermon 34, 6 "You ask what you should sing about the one you love? For of course you do want to sing about the one you love. You are asking for praises of his to sing. You have been told, Sing to the Lord a new song. You are looking for praise songs, are you? His praise is in the Church of the saints. The praise of the one to be sung about is the singer himself. Do you want to sing God his praises? Be yourselves what you sing. You are his praise if you lead good lives."

So now…it’s your turn  You are to program music for a Mass. Read through the scriptures Read through the scriptures Choose appropriate songs for the following: Choose appropriate songs for the following: EntranceEntrance OffertoryOffertory CommunionCommunion RecessionalRecessional Consider the flow of liturgy Consider the flow of liturgy Be prepared to justify your choice of music Be prepared to justify your choice of music