This Saturday is the 1st Sunday of Advent.
Bev, Ginny, Lisa and I stuck around after Mass for a bite to eat and to run some Advent music. We touched on several of the new/less-familiar pieces, as well as one song for Christmas. I wouldn't mind scheduling an additional practice on 12/09 to work out a few more details.
Our Advent theme this year is based around the song Each Winter as the Year Grows Older. Father structured the programs (here) in such a way that several songs repeat throughout the Season. This should make prep a bit easier. Even so, I'd encourage everyone to look ahead, and if possible, learn parts for the choral pieces. Let's try to take advantage of all this lovely music :-)
Our Wreath Blessing song, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, will be done a capella. It's also possible that our Closing song, Soon and Very Soon, will be done the same way
Our Psalm, Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness, is not the familiar arrangement out of Spirit & Song. This is a new piece with some tricky harmony and an odd key change during verse one. Definitely look at this one before the weekend (we'll be doing it next week, 12/09, as well). Ginny, Lisa and I will cantor.
Finally, don't forget that we're switching to Mass of Joy & Peace. The Gloria won't be used until Christmas, but we will start using the Penitential Rite on 12/09. I'd like to briefly run the entire setting just to make sure we're all on the same page.
Needless to say, we have quite a bit to cover. If possible, please arrive by 4:15 PM so we won't lose rehearsal time to setup/prep. Looking forward to the Season, and let me know if any questions!
Bev is out this week.
UPDATE: 11/29: I just found out today that Jim, Maggie, Jonathan and Joe have a gig on Saturday, and won't be at Mass. After some discussion, Denise from the 11 AM Choir agreed to play piano.
Gathering:
GC3 #419 - Each Winter as the Year Grows Older
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Advent Wreath Blessing:
GC3 #395 - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Response:
GC3 #062 - Ps 85 - Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness [NEW]
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Gospel Acclamation:
Mass of Joy & Peace
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
RCIA Rite of Dismissal:
A Lamp for Our Feet
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Offertory:
GC3 #412 - God of All People
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Holy, Holy, Holy:
Mass of Joy & Peace
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Eucharistic Acclamation (B):
Mass of Joy & Peace
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Doxology/Amen:
Mass of Joy & Peace
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Lamb of God:
Mass of Joy & Peace
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Communion:
GC3 #415 - My Soul in Stillness Waits
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
Closing:
GC3 #865 - Soon and Very Soon
Materials (audio) (sheet music)
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