Ordinary Music

“Ordinary Music”

 
Not “ordinary” as in “not special” but in the technical Liturgical sense: those parts of the Mass that don’t change: The “Glory to God” or the “Sanctus”.  These parts are contrasted with the “Propers,” specific to the particular day or occasion.
 
Most of the “ordinary” parts are sung by memory by our congregation here at Thomas More, only the Hymns are announced, and Hymn numbers posted.  And while this is convenient and generally efficient, this can be particularly difficult for visitors or new members who wonder ‘Where’s the music for this?”
 
Currently we are in Ordinary Time, the “numbered” Sundays. In this time after Christmas and before Lent, we are using the simple, chant based melody for the “Gloria in Excelsis.”  This may be found at # 170 in our GATHER hymnals.
 
The Eucharistic Prayer begins with a dialogue between the Priest and the Assembly. The traditional melodies for this are at #178, and I find it inspiring how our assembly always sings these responses so confidently, and so unaccompanied!  At weekday services, Weddings and Funerals we often use #179 the simplest chant setting. During Lent we sing almost the same melody, but in Latin, as at #308B.
 
Presently our Eucharistic Acclamations are the “Land of Rest” ones, named for the American folk melody on which this music is based. These may be found at # 367, #368, and #369. This music has been sung here for more than ten years, but as it is used for only six or seven weeks – the post-Christmas “green” time – it is not as well known as those settings we sing for three months, such as the “Heritage Mass” we learned last fall.
 
It was in 2010 that new translations were mandated, and we began a time of learning the “new” Mass settings.  At the Diocese’s request we all learned “Mass of St Frances Cabrini” by Kevin Keil – a setting we still use during most of our summer “Ordinary Time”.  We also learned “Mass of Wisdom” by Stephen Janco, a setting we enjoy especially during the Easter season, as it has opportunity for festive instrumental and choir enhancements.  Another setting that has been around since 1970 is Richard Proulx’ “Community Mass”, now revised.  Of this we use the “Sanctus” #370, Memorial Acclamation B #373, the “Amen” #372, and the “Lamb of God” at #389.
 
Other pieces of chant that we use are the Lord’s Prayer #184 [this music has not changed since 1970!], and the “Agnus Dei” # 313B.  Singing Latin is not contrary to Vatican II. In the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy we read: “In Masses which are celebrated with the people, a suitable place may be allotted for their mother tongue,” the same paragraph 54 continues “nevertheless steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass that pertain to them.”  Thank each of you and all of you for your participation.
 
Roger Petrich, Director of Music Ministries