Yola’s parish is doing this recent song by Bernadette Farrell, so I though I’d have a look at it. You have to hand it to OCP, they have really got the I-Tunes idea that if you pitch the download at a reasonable price there is no point trying to work the music out for your self or stealing it. So for $US2.00 I have my copy, which has a piano version, a guitar version and the assembly edition. You can view a preview and buy your copy here. I found a snippet to listen to here.
You can see the lyrics in the preview. It is based on the consoling part of Revelation (7:16-17;21:1-6) and I note it is a reading for New Years day. Any suggestions for other applications?
The more I listen to it the more I like it. There is a hint of the style of “You’re My World” even if the tunes are worlds apart. I like the descending bass runs and there is even a very high descant if you can hit the notes.
Getting back to Erica Marshall’s “Missa Santa Clara”, this is the Sanctus.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Hosanna in the highest.
This a waltz setting and I don’t think I’ve quite got her “lightly” instruction right but my sketch on BIAB is just for learning purposes. She repeats the “Hosanna” at the end to fill out the setting. There is a jump in the middle of “full” which makes the line more interesting and memorable I suppose, if everyone can keep the timing together.
Our music liturgy team has decided that we will learn “The God of Second Chances” by David Haas during Lent.
It can be purchased at GIA here, where you can hear a snippet.
It is a lovely simple tune that could be sung as is or with the suggestions for solo verses, men only verses and a capella verses. The arrangement has a recurring building interlude before the fourth, fifth and sixth verses. There are C instrument lines, a cello part and many harmony lines suggested. You could good well and truly over the top with this one if the circumstances were right or do it starkly and simply for Lent. I’m looking forward to it.
You can find the lyrics here on page three of this bulletin.
My Band in a Box sketch has the interludes and I’ve varied the instruments to mix things up a bit. I hope it helps if you want to learn the song.
This choir displays many of the features of the suggested arrangement.
I’ve been looking for songs for Lent and saw this one recommended here. It’s called “Journey for Home” and it was written by Ed Bolduc.
You can find the lyrics here or preview the music at WLP here, where you can also buy it.
My copy is in Voices As One Vol 1 No. 50.
Listening to the snippet at WLP it really sounds a solo performance piece and 16th notes always are a worry for the assembly. The music I have gives half the verses to a cantor, but the tricky parts appear to be in the chorus. That said, it has a Lenten feel and I suspect the assembly would straighten out the kinks and make a useful song for Lent out of it.
This is from another mass by Erica Marshall. My daughter was impressed by it some time ago when she went to mass at Rockhampton, so I thought I’d have a look at it.
I’ve already blogged her “Mass of God’s People” with backings here, although I may not have done her any favours there — they are probably only just adequate to learn the tunes.
You can listen to snippets and purchase sheet music, CD’s and proper backing tracks at AOV.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
This is a mass that she revised to fit the new words but never having heard the old version there are no obvious seams poking out like in some of the revisions. The refrain is repeated the first time. It is another spirited 6/8 setting with a singable range that will not trouble the assembly, except perhaps for a held D in the last verse. The refrain has an agreeable hiccup in the first “glory” that gives it a memorable hook. I can see why my daughter liked it.
Rounding out the Mayfield Mass by Kate Keefe is the Agnus Dei.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
Again I’ve slowed this down a little from Kate’s backing but I think it is OK for a litany to be very restrained and the tune responds to the calmer tempo well I think.
If you think this Mass is a fine piece of work (which it is) you should follow her psalm settings etc here.
I've worked my way through the As One Voice books and other collections making backings on Band in a Box to help me (& you if you're interested) learn new songs for church. This is aimed at churches and musicians that own the collections but haven't exploited them fully. If you don't have them they are certainly worth buying. This site is educational, nonprofit and designed to enhance the commercial prospects of songwriters. This site does not distribute copyrighted sheet music.
Disclaimer
Any opinions expressed here are personal views and not the responsibility of any Church.
All music backings posted are created by myself and the intention is for them to be used to learn the songs. If any copyright holder wishes me to cease publicising and promoting their wares and directing people to where sheet music can be legally purchased please let me know.
Mason’s “Mass of Glory and Praise”
To access my backings for Paul Mason's mass go to Feb 2011 in the archive.
