The Music Selection ProcessSt Peters MMSG

Saturday, January 27 2007

By Br. Tom Hudson, O.P.

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AgendaThe “Rules”

The Three Principles

The “Standard Model” (and Some Alternatives)

Resources

Practice

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The “Rules”

TITLE II – CANON 5: Of the Music of the ChurchIt shall be the duty of every Member of the Clergy to see that music

is used as an offering for the glory of God and as a help to the people in their worship in accordance with the Book of Common Prayer and as authorized by the rubrics or by the General Convention of this Church.

To this end the Member of the Clergy shall have final authority in the administration of matters pertaining to music.

In fulfilling this responsibility, the Member of the Clergy shall seek assistance from persons skilled in music. Together they shall see that music is appropriate to the context in which it is used.

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The Rules ExaminedMusic has two purposes:

As an offering for the glory of God. To help the people in their worship.

There are two sources of “rules”: The Book of Common Prayer (rubrics)

• See pages 355, 356, 357, 361, 406, etc. General Convention

• Constitution and Canons• Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music• Office for Liturgy and Music (TEC web page)• Diocesan Liturgy Commissions/Rules

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The Rules Boiled DownThe Minister is the final authority!

This is both a right and a responsibility. Some Ministers like to be actively involved;

others only want to be informed.

The Minister shall seek assistance from persons skilled in music. Forgetting to do this is a good way to lose an

organist!

Together, they share responsibility to ensure that music is appropriate to the context.

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The Three PrinciplesTheological

Liturgical

Pastoral

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Music Should Be Theologically “Correct”

Episcopalian Sources The Hymnal 1982 / 1940 Lift Every Voice and Sing II Wonder, Love, and Praise Other Anglican Hymnals (?)

• Hymns Ancient and Modern

Sources from Other Denominations “Safe” vs. “Not so sure” Requires careful examination & checking.

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Music Should Be Liturgically Appropriate

The Season There are exceptions

The Occasion Eucharist, Morning/Evening Prayer,

Baptism, Wedding, Funeral, Confirmation, etc.

There is plenty of “neutral” music

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Music Should Be Pastorally Sound

The most difficult area to judge!

“I know what I like…”

Considerations Difficulty, Range, Tempo Vocabulary, Style, Pronunciation Familiarity, Favorites, Anathemas…

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Getting It RightYou can’t please all the people, all the

time! Stick to the principles and explain what you

do. Listen and learn. Defer to the Minister as the final authority. Form a committee…

Most congregations are forgiving. Although some people like to complain!

Learn by doing.

The “Standard Model”

And Some Popular Alternatives

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The Four-Hymns Model

“A Little Traveling Music”Entrance – the Procession into the ChurchSequence – the Gospel ProcessionOffertory – the Procession with the GiftsClosing – the Procession into the World

» Check the rubrics!

Common Places for Additional Hymns: After the First Reading and/or Psalm

(traveling?) During or After Communion (one, or more if

needed)

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Service MusicSong of Praise:

Glory to God in the highest (Gloria) or Hymn Lord, have mercy (Kyrie) or Holy God

(Trisagion)

Canticles at Morning/Evening Prayer Gloria Patri after Opening Sentences and/or

Psalm After each Reading

Prayers of the PeoplePresentation of the Gifts (Doxology,

Keswick Doxology) Usually not used if there is a hymn.

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Service Music – Cont’dEucharistic Prayer (See Prayer C music

in Hymnal)Preface DialogueHoly, Holy, Holy (Sanctus & Benedictus)Memorial Acclamation (Anamnesis)Great Amen (and Doxology)Lord’s PrayerFraction Anthem(s)

Christ Our Passover (with or without Alleluias)

Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)

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Other Models

The Hymn-Sing Model Provide an extended time of singing – use

several hymns, arranged to build a sense of worship, praise, repentance, etc.

May be used to begin the service, prepare for the sermon, give thanks after Communion, etc.

The Hymns-As-Responses Model Use one or two verses of hymns after each

spoken part of the service (prayers, each reading, etc.)

Works especially well on Christmas Eve

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Other Models

The Taizé Model Instead of or in addition to hymns, use

many short refrains, chants, meditations, etc.

The Monastery Model Instead of hymns, use only chants, service

music, and canticles.

Others?

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ResourcesThe Episcopal Musicians’ Handbook

Hymnal Studies: Five = liturgical uses Eight = Scriptural references

The Internet http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/82.html http://members.visi.net/~saec/ehymnal.html http://ecusa.anglican.org/liturgy_music.htm

Experience (Yours or Others)

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In Summary…

Music selection is a lot of work!

The Minister is ultimately responsible.

Seek assistance from qualified musicians and liturgists.

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Practice

Lent-Easter, 2007 – 10 Services! Ash Wednesday (Feb 21) Five Sundays of Lent (Feb 25, Mar 4, 11,

18, 25) Palm Sunday (Apr 1) Maundy Thursday (Apr 5) Good Friday (Apr 6) Easter Sunday (Apr 8) Easter II (Apr 15)

The Music Selection Process

Thanks!

And Enjoy Selecting…