MusicNotes
March 31- April 1
Opening Antiphon- Hosanna to the Son of David, Antiphon Mode VII
The opening antiphon this Sunday comes from Gregorian chant and draws from Matthew 21:9. This antiphon announces the triumphal entry of Jesus at the beginning of the procession with loud hosannas. At the different Masses this weekend, you will hear it sung by the priest, the cantors and the choir. This refrain is meant to set our minds on King Jesus as we join in with the crowd, welcoming Him in celebration.
Processional Antiphon- Little Grey Donkey, Natalie Sleeth (1930-1992)
The Elementary Vocal Choir will present this piece to begin the processional. The traditional processional antiphon for Palm Sunday (Pueri Hebraeorum) tells of how the children of Jerusalem welcomed Christ the King with olive branches and loud praises, and so we begin our procession with the sound of children's voices welcoming Him. The song asks the donkey, on which Jesus rides into Jerusalem, if it knows who it carries. The song then reminds us of God's purpose in sending Jesus, and even foreshadows the Passion of Christ. Natalie Sleeth was one of the leading composers of children's music in America, and her music is employed every week in liturgies around the country.
Anthem- My Lord, What a Morning, African-American Spiritual
This popular and chilling spiritual, sung by the choir at 10:30, is meant to reflect the events of the morning. By the time the altar is prepared during Mass, we have already made the journey from Christ's entry to Jerusalem to his death, and we are left with many thoughts and emotions. This spiritual invites us to take a moment and meditate on this journey. The refrain cries out, "My Lord, what a morning when the stars begin to fall," and reminds us of God's purpose for Jesus as he faces His hour of death. The verses invoke imagery of the end of life, but then invite us to look to "God's right hand" for strength and guidance. We invite you to take a moment to open your hearts to God's plan, as we enter into a blessed Holy Week.
Closing Song- O Sacred Head, Surrounded, PASSION CHORALE
Many of us know this hymn very well from past years, but it has a very interesting history. Originally a Latin hymn, with the text from St. Bernard of Clairvaux, it was adopted by the Lutheran church and became a staple in the Protestant tradition of four-part chorales. It gained popularity in many different Christian traditions, especially the harmonization by Lutheran composer, J.S. Bach. The chorale was then re-adopted by the Roman Catholic Church, in its Lutheran form, and is now in our hymnals and an integral part of Passion music. The beautiful melody was even an inspiration for Paul Simon's American Tune.
DID YOU NOTICE?
Some musical changes in Lent-
Instrumental music will not be played during Lent, except for Laetare Sunday. It is appropriate for instruments to remain silent during Lent, except to accompany singing. For Laetare Sunday (fourth Sunday of Lent), also known as Rose Sunday, instrumental music is acceptable. Laetare comes from the Latin for "rejoice," and is a mid-Lent time of relaxation from the Lenten stricture, as the hope of Easter now comes into sight.
Dialogues/Acclamations/Litanies- English Plainchant and Kyrie orbis factor
To help signal the transition to the new season, we will be singing a different set of mass parts during Lent (Kyrie, Gospel Acclamation, Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Lamb of God). The words will be the same, but most of the tunes will come from the plainchant found in the new Missal, and, for the Gospel Acclamation, the Gregorian chant tune to the Kyrie orbis factor. The melodies will be simpler and shorter than the ones we were using in the last season, but they will help us focus on the words and remind us to come closer to God; to simplify our lives in ways that allow God to work through us. Chant can sometimes seem foreign to our ears. It sounds very different from every other kind of music we hear on a regular basis, but it also forms the backbone of the history of Catholic music, and is an important part of our tradition. When sung with heartfelt joy and reverence, chant can be quite beautiful and powerful, and it can bring us deeper into prayer.
Director of Music
Church of St. Mary
(918) 749 2561, ext 120
1347 E. 49th Pl.
Tulsa, OK 74105
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