Search found 850 matches

by JW
Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:08 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Status of Hymns at Mass
Replies: 50
Views: 20189

Status of Hymns at Mass

Why is it that such importance is given to the hymns at Mass, when they are optional and often have little connection to the relevant Entry and Communion antiphons? See, for example, posts to the 'Sung Masses' topic. I am as guilty as anyone but have always felt uneasy about this. Does anyone have a...
by JW
Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:43 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: ICEL new Missal texts sampler
Replies: 21
Views: 8009

Re: ICEL new Missal texts sampler

I guess the new translations are a step towards the 'good old days' - when priests rattled off Mass, mumbling the Latin and the faithful could read the translations in their missals - or the even better older days when the faithful couldn't read and couldn't afford a missal so said their Rosaries or...
by JW
Sat Apr 26, 2008 6:59 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Incidental Music for Mass
Replies: 81
Views: 57269

Re: Incidental Music for Mass

Some of Samuel Wesley's short pieces are well worth investigating for Service Music. They are for Manuals only and are fairly easy to play. I have an OUP book of a selection edited by Robin Langley from which the Communion and Final Music in Sundays 9 & 10 is taken. Sunday 9: Start: Short Prelud...
by JW
Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:28 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Defend deacons
Replies: 5
Views: 2657

Re: Defend deacons

Could I just throw Sunday's (Easter 5A) 1st reading into Presbyter's mixture - it reminds us why deacons were invented in the first place?
by JW
Tue Apr 22, 2008 9:21 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Incidental Music for Mass
Replies: 81
Views: 57269

Re: Incidental Music for Mass

Just had to post this - came across it this evening and it made my evening. :D Looking at similar posts there seem to be some very talented young organists in the Netherlands at the moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaY3ORoX6Vw&feature=related
by JW
Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:24 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Ministers (lay and ordained) charging for their ministries
Replies: 27
Views: 9764

Re: Ministers (lay and ordained) charging for their ministries

Nevertheless, ASB, the point still remains - some choirs do get paid today for regualar service work today. I remember in their early days, Polyphony used to sing the weekday Eucharist at St Stephen Walbrook - knowing Stephen Layton (their director) at the time was employed as assistant organist at ...
by JW
Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:33 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Ministers (lay and ordained) charging for their ministries
Replies: 27
Views: 9764

Ministers (lay and ordained) charging for their ministries

There has been a topic about paying organists - many are paid, many are not. Recently a topic on a Guild of St Stephen sidetracked into the question of payment for a choir. The alter servers in my parish (including 2 MCs) do not charge. Priests make quite a comfortable living from their ministry and...
by JW
Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:52 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Choir wanted: Guild of St Stephen, Southwark, Annual Rally
Replies: 11
Views: 4461

Re: Choir wanted: Guild of St Stephen, Southwark, Annual Rally

I understand that the children's choir of Christ Church Eltham will be there. The whole question about payment is a thorny issue, isn't it? Bach, and presumably his choirs were paid. Churches often pay organists. On the other hand, many give their services voluntarily - it is down to people's person...
by JW
Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:04 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Cringe-making lines in hymns
Replies: 36
Views: 21052

Re: Cringe-making lines in hymns

Could be a typo in the sheet used (it did not contain a copyright acknowledgement), or there was a re-think about these words somewhere along the way.

Is this hymn used for the departure of a coffin at a funeral? There are alternatives, e.g. Sands' "May the choirs of angels"
by JW
Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:20 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Cringe-making lines in hymns
Replies: 36
Views: 21052

Re: Cringe-making lines in hymns

Apologies to John Bell but I came across his 'Go silent friend' to the Londonderry Air last week. Hardly anyone there could get the top note so we all squeaked instead. This hymn seems to be becoming quite popular, so I must be an unfeeling Philistine. It starts 'Go silent friend, (S/he's dead so hi...
by JW
Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:50 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Easter Sequence
Replies: 21
Views: 8952

Re: Easter Sequence

I didn't turn up on Easter Sunday either - I wanted to do other things. After rushing to church from work on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, a two-hour choir practice Saturday morning, and the Vigil, I've definitely had enough. I don't normally play on Sunday mornings anyway. This Easter, we also had ...
by JW
Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:36 am
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Incidental Music for Mass
Replies: 81
Views: 57269

Re: Incidental Music for Mass

And still the festivals come, I've tried to suggest music appropriate to the spirit of these feasts. Ascension (I've suggested the plaintive Ashokan Farewell at the end to reflect the feelings of those left after the Ascension - and I love the tune - you may wish to end with something more festive) ...
by JW
Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:31 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: James MacMillan at Chrism Mass
Replies: 4
Views: 2164

Re: James MacMillan at Chrism Mass

I think the Chrism Mass in Southwark is on the Thursday morning. I think its great that all the diocese gets together and makes an occasion of it. I've never been because of work.
by JW
Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:28 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Cringe-making lines in hymns
Replies: 36
Views: 21052

Re: Cringe-making lines in hymns

Touche - I've been asked to sing Were You There on Good Friday. Unfortunately I can't really refuse because the guy you usually does it died very suddenly last week and we are all feeling the loss.
by JW
Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:28 pm
Forum: Liturgy Matters
Topic: Cringe-making lines in hymns
Replies: 36
Views: 21052

Cringe-making lines in hymns

Following a mild rap on the knuckles from Musicus because of an off-topic post, here's my personal cringe-list. If anyone is upset by it, that is not my primary intention and I apologise. All lines are in the 2005 edition of HON. "O noble Tower of David, of gold and ivory" "Kum ba yah...