Church Music

No posts for a few weeks, but I should be back up and running for Advent.

I drove down to Hobart (~3 1/2 hours) for Stephen Kirk‘s workshop on music in the Eucharist.

It was part of a Parish Mission Plan, that I hadn’t heard of, so I can’t be paying much attention apparently.

The presentation went through the basics of why we sing and how we choose what we sing, which was to the point and useful. He also went into functional issues, like avoiding sudden distracting change, being attentive to the liturgical flow and the use of silence. He emphasised that music should not dominate the liturgy and definitely not become a barrier to participation. He went through each part of a typical mass, suggesting the appropriate feel for each portion and I had no arguments with his guidance. His approach was open to many styles of music and based on his lived ministry in the area.

I liked his contrast of the typical suburban, low church liturgy that emphasised presence/feast/ fellowship with the higher church, Cathedral style emphasising the sacred and transcendence. He suggested the former could lack transcendence and the latter the closeness to God. He suggested an Incarnational approach as a bridging construct to avoid the excesses of each. My take is that in a cultural sense, Australians typically find their way to transcendence through the fellowship of a low church approach, and too much input that is foreign to their experience of the sacred is a barrier to finding that, but obviously that will vary from place to place and may well be evolving. I have certainly been struck at times in my life, by the unexpected and transcendent work of the Spirit, through well done “low church” style Liturgy.

He was kind enough to do some singing, despite a voice seemingly ravaged by the previous night’s concert.

His “Open Up” was used as an example of a gathering song.

“We Adore You” was his example of a communion song.

He used examples from his “Mass of Clare” in his talk about songs for the Eucharistic Liturgy.

There were thirty or so music ministers there, mostly from Southern Tasmania, and I’m sure it was a good investment by the Archdiocese and hopefully is to be part of ongoing support for parish music ministers.

I am about to have a break from blogging for a couple of weeks, so I’d better have a look at Advent. This might be provisional, because we are going to get suggestions from our coordinator, but barring any of my suggestions being too jarring, this is a plan.

I would like all Australian music, so none of this stuff about cold nights and snow, and keep much the same music for the four Advent celebrations and pick one distinct, matching song for the readings for each week.

Entrance: Advent Song (Browne/Wood) GA 281 – Chorus/Verse 1/ Chorus will get us gathered with a summer feel for Advent.

Seasonal Psalm: To You, O God, I Lift Up My Soul (Mason)

Gifts:  Like a Candle (O’Brien/Ogilvie) AOV NG 91

Recessional: O Emmanuel (Mangan) CWB II 241

I have found that with the small numbers here 15-20 or so, it works better to have instrumental backing that I have made during the communion procession, and have a Communion/Thanksgiving song afterwards, otherwise the Priest is left hanging, waiting for me to finish playing and singing.

For that song then:

Week 1: A Voice in the Wilderness  (Robinson) AOV 1/60

Week 2: Prepare the Way of the Lord (Boniwell) CWB II 250

Week 3: Shout to the Lord (Zschech) AOV NG 114

Week 4: God’s Call (Dyball)

This is a sincere sung pray, inspired by Psalm 5, and written by Dolly McGaughey, from the Torres Strait. I should have mentioned by now that the fine arrangements are by Lindsay Scandrett.

The songs I have looked at so far of hers look to be suitable as Taize style chants. When you listen to her voice at Willow, where you can get the sheet music, you will feel peace.

I’ve really enjoyed making backings for these songs:

1 I pray to you, O Lord.

You hear my voice in the morning.

At sunrise I offer my prayer,

And wait for your answer.

I pray to you, O Lord.

You hear my voice in the morning.

At sunrise I offer my prayer,

And wait for your answer.

2 I opened the door for you,

And let you into my heart.

In the stillness of your presence,

I wait for your answer.

I pray to you, O Lord.

You hear my voice in the morning.

At sunrise I offer my prayer,

And wait for your answer.

Coda

I wait for your answer.

I wait for your answer.

© 2019 Dolly McGaughey

This is a song of praise from Dolly McGaughey. While not specifically mentioned it suggests Christmas to me.

As with all her songs, I recommend you listen to her singing it at Willow, where the sheet music can be purchased.

Then you can sing along with my backing to learn it.

I heard voices coming from afar, as if I were in a dream.

They were chanting away, singing a beautiful song.

Praising the Lord.

Praising the Lord.

Praising the Lord.

They were praising him.

(Rpt all)

Praising the Lord.

Praising the Lord.

Praising the Lord.

They were praising him.

They were praising him.

They were praising him.

© 2020 Dolly McGaughey

Dolly on climate change:

This is a lovely reflection on the person of Jesus from Dolly McGaughey.

Listen to her singing the song at Willow, where you can purchase the sheet music.

I did a simple backing:

… and then I noticed the syncopation, so I jazzed up the chords and the rhythm:

Simple is better.

This is the time when we reflect.

We think of Jesus and his life on earth.

He is the one we need, he’s never far away.

He is the door we seek to eternity.

That time again when we reflect.

It’s all a mystery, his death and victory.

He paid the price for us, not just me and you.

He died to save us all, loving Saviour.

He is the one we need, he’s never far away.

He is the door we seek to eternity.

He is the door we seek to eternity.

© 2017 Dolly McGaughey

This is another impressive Dolly McGaughey song for Gifts and Communion.

I am approaching this as a form a chant that feels natural.

Listen to her sing it and buy the sheet music at Willow.

You can also hear her here.

I made a backing to sing along with:

Come one, come all, come to me, I invite you to come to the feast.

I have prepared a banquet for you, you are welcome to come to the feast.

Take and eat, take and drink, do this in memory of me.

Take and eat, take and drink, do this in memory of me.

(Rpt all)

Do this in memory of me.

© 2020 Dolly McGaughey

Here is Dolly talking about her home and climate change:

This is a song of praise from Dolly McGaughey from the Torres Strait.

The sheet music is at Willow and I would encourage you to listen to the snippet of her singing her song there.

I made a backing to help us learn it.

1 The birth of a new day, show forth the wonders

Calling me to thank you in all that I do.

The beautiful sunrise calling me to praise you,

All creatures on earth now praising you.

2 All glory to God, glory to God on high.

Now all of creation is praising you.

Glory to God, glory to God on high.

Now all creation in praising you.

… is praising you.

… is praising you.

Having heard one Dolly McGaughey song I looked for others, and they all have an other worldly simplicity that is most engaging.

This would be lovely at an anointing.

The sheet music is at Willow and I encourage you to listen to the snippet of her performance there.

My backing is for learning purposes to sing along with.

We know we belong to you and we search for you in every way.

So many lives are broken, many hearts today need your healing touch.

We know we belong to you and we search for you in every way.

So many lives are broken, many hearts today need you healing touch.

Hear us, O Lord we pray, for mercy and love can only come from you.

We know we belong to you and we search for you in every way.

So many lives are broken, many hearts today need you healing touch.

© 2015 Dolly McGaughey

Monica O’Brien mentioned Dolly McGaughey in one of her newsletters. She is a Torres Strait Islander who has a unique voice and has written remarkable songs.

They strike me as indigenous chant like Taize perhaps, that could be used in a similar way.

This is a reflective song of praise. The sheet music is available from Willow and I recommend you listen to the snippet there of her singing to get the idea. Her songs have been haunting me since I started listening, I’m not sure why.

My backing may help to sing along with:

You are the light of the world sent from up above.

I’ll let you lead the way and I will follow you.

There is no darkness around as soon as you appear.

The way is clearly shown for me to follow you.

Jesus the light of the world.

Jesus the light of the world.

You are the brightest of all.

Jesus the light of the world

(Rpt all)

Jesus the light of the world.

Jesus the light of the world.

You are the brightest of all.

Jesus the light of the world.

Jesus the light of the world.

© 2021 Dolly McGaughey