Our Lady of Montserrat Parish

Gran Plains, Subdivision, Jaro, Iloilo City

Seminar/Workshop on Liturgical Music

PART I. Seasons in the Church Calendar

Year A: Gospel of Mathew

Year B: Gospel of Mark
Year C: Gospel of Luke
The Gospel of John is read throughout Easter, and is used for other liturgical seasons

Year 2020 is Year A

Liturgical Seasons

1.  8th Sunday
 Presentation of the Lord

4. Lenten Season-(Violet or Purple)

 Starts with Ash Wednesday

 5 Sundays
 Palm Sunday (Red)
 Thursday of the Lord’s
Supper
 Friday of the Passion of the
Lord (Red)
 Holy Saturday

5. Easter Season-(White)

 Starts at Easter Vigil

Advent Season –(Violet)
 Starts with 1st Sunday
 Ends on December 24th
2. Christmas Season-(White)
 Starts on December 25th
 Feast of the Holy Family
 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of
God
 The Epiphany of the Lord
3. Ordinary Season after Epiphany –(Green)
 The Baptism of the Lord
 Easter Sunday of the
Resurrection of the Lord
 Second Sunday(Divine Mercy
Sunday)
 The Ascension of the Lord
 Seventh Sunday of Easter
 Pentecost Sunday(Red)
6. Ordinary Season after Pentecost-(Green)
 The Most Holy Trinity
 The Most Holy Body and
Blood of Christ
 Starts with 14th Sunday
 Ends with 33rd Sunday
 Our Lord Jesus Christ King of
the Universe
References:
Respond and Acclaim Musical Settings by Owen Alstott
Crawfordcountycatholics.com

PART II: Some Guidelines for Choosing Songs for the Mass
(Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ)

Note: These guidelines are for use in a normal mass setting. Additonal guidelines and notes for special
liturgies (e.g. Holy Week) can be found in the Sacramentary. It is always good to consult with the parish priest
or the parish music minister when conducting the repertoire for the mass.

1. Entrance Hymn  During lent the Gospel Acclamation

 Signifies the start of the mass; should not contain the world
 A ritual song, theme inviting “Alleluia”
congregation to assemble; Lenten Acclamations
 Should be finished when the priest a. Praise to You, Lord Jesus
reaches the altar Christ, King of endless glory!
b. Praise and Honor To You,
2. Kyrei Lord Jesus Christ
 Can be recited c. Glory and Praise to you, Lord
 Has to be Christ centered Jesus Christ!
 Not intercessory d. Glory to you, O word of God, Lord
 Can be chanted Jesus Christ!

3. Gloria 6. Offertory
 Can be sung Refrain-verse-refrain  A ritual song,
style or alternating between cantor  Must be completed by the time the
for the verses and congregation for gifts are prepared;
the refrain or in mix languages for  May be instrumental only
particular congregations
 Verses can be recited while the 7. Eucharistic Prayer
refrain is sung  Heart of the Mass
 Sung/recited once through  Invokes sacramental time
 Not sung during lent and advent  One integral prayer
 Proclaiming past, present, and
4. Responsorial Psalm future
 Response to the First Reading  Can be read or sung by the priest
 Must be simple so as not to from the sacramentary
overshadow the Gospel
 Must be based on the Psalm of the
day 8. Sanctus
 Must be glorious
5. Gospel Acclamation  Invoking the Holy Trinity
 A way to welcome and greet the
Lord who is about to speak in the 9. Memorial Acclamation
Gospe land profess its by means of  Remembers Christ’s Passion, Death
the chant and Resurrection
 Verses need not be sung  Expresses Faith
 Verses can be sung before the  Part of one integral prayer with
Gospel only if it is apt: Sanctus and Great Amen
10. Great Amen
  The glorification of God is expressed
and which is confirmed and
concluded by the people’s
acclamation
 Should always be sung
 Lyrics must be Amen alone
11. The Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father”
 Communal singing or recitation
 Does not end with Amen if sung
 For yours is the kingdom, power and
glory must also be sung
12. Lamb of God
 Must be solemn
 Proclaiming the mercy of God on the
whole world
13. Communion
 Ritual songs accompanying the rite
of communion
 1 song must be Christological
 2nd song onwards can be
inspirational or match the theme or
feast for the day
(e. g. Shepherd Sunday, Marian
Feasts
 No love songs
14. Meditation Song
 Optional
 Can be sung while the vessels are
cleaned to accompany the
congregation in prayer
Source: Music Ministry Workshop by the Bukas Palad Music Ministry
“PraySing” God in the Liturgy: The Place of Music in the Liturgy
Golden Rules for Choral Singers
 Can be inspirational song but not
secular ones
 Can be instrumental
15. Patron Hymn
16. Final Hymn
 Not officially part of the mass
anymore
 Keep it short and simple to enable
the priest to follow the people out
 Themes of missioning and rejoicing
are recommended
More Practical Suggestions
1. Study the liturgy for your assigned mass
ahead of time. Take note of special feasts
or rites that may be included.
2. When introducing a new song, supply the
lyrics for the congregation. Sing the song
often to familiarize the people with it. Better
sing in unison first to allow people to learn
the melody before introducing the choral
harmonies.
3. Sing in such a way as not to distract the
congregation. The choir is at service of the
liturgy and the people; the choir should lead
the community in singing and not perform
4. Pray, especially since singing is twice
praying.
 1. The choir comes first, even if there is so much to do otherwise. Treat yourself to the choral rehearsal
as a wellness oasis.
2. Sit up straight on the edge of a chair, relax your shoulders, look ahead and smile!
3. Be attentive to the rehearsal, listen to the other voices and postpone conversations with your neighbor.
4. Be open to new ideas, although even if you initially resist. Trust the conductor; she/he knows what
she/ he is doing.
5. If something has been bothering you for a long time, talk with the conductor or the choral board after
the rehearsal.
6. Be well-organized: arrive the rehearsal on time with something to drink and a sharpened pencil, keep
an eye on your choral appointments (in your calendar and as printed version in your music case).
Arrange all your appointments with your social environment (family, work).
7. Offer support and  and take on responsibility. Big aims are being achieved together.
8. Learn something new every day! Listen to choral music, visit concerts of other choirs or join a singing
workshop.
9. Keep your voice healthy: drink enough, don't harrumph and whisper. During hoarseness: take a break
from singing!
10. Sing and practice as often as possible – during cutting veggies, driving a car, with your children and
during walks in the forest.

Souce:
https://www.interkultur.com/newsroom/world-of-voices/details/news/the-10-golden-rules-for-choral-singers/