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Mass Instructions for Musicians |
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 General Notes:
- Movement should be subdued. For instance, when opening a book, moving a microphone stand, arranging chairs, etc., do so with smooth, gentle motions that will draw the least amount of attention. This is particularly important when the congregation’s attention is supposed to be on another person.
- If there is a temporary distraction from someone in the assembly, don’t acknowledge it. For instance, if a person behaves in a distracting way or a cell phone rings, don’t look or make faces. Judgment shows! Trust that the person is doing the best s/he can to deal with the distraction.
- When a person (i.e., lector, priest, deacon, etc.) is speaking, put your attention on that person by angling your head and/or body in that person’s direction. If you are facing the congregation rather than the person speaking, you will command unnecessary attention.
- Always hold your posture until the final note of the song is released. After a brief moment of silence, move to your next position. Moving over music before it is complete creates a sense of being rushed.
- People leading a Mass need to feed off of each other. Use other leaders (i.e., priests, deacons, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, etc.) to get your cues. Gauge their energy and respond equally. Also know that musicians, as leaders in a Mass, have the ability to change the tone of a
Mass. If energy is low, we can infuse it with renewed vigor and provide an opportunity for other leaders to feed off us.
- Be aware of what you are wearing. Shirt collars can clash with stoles. Earrings may be distracting.
- Whenever you stand, make sure you can make eye contact with the Director.
- Keep conversation to a minimum, and only speak to one another if it is necessary. Side conversations can distract from what is happening at the altar.
- Ensemble members are expected to set up their personal area before Mass and clean their personal area after
Mass. Choir members are expected to clean their personal area after
Mass.
CANTOR NOTE: If you need light at the ambo, turn it on before Mass begins.
Enter the musicians’ area before or after the lector gives the introductory commentary. Do not enter while the lector is speaking unless it is absolutely necessary. If it is necessary, move with minimal, clean, gentle motion.
Have your music ready for the entrance song.
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INTRODUCTORY RITES |
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Entrance Song
At the end of the entrance song, turn your body toward the priest. Listen to the words he speaks and respond with genuineness.
Greeting
Penitential Rite
At the musical introduction of the Kyrie or Gloria, turn to face the congregation.
Kyrie
Gloria
Bow your head for the Opening Prayer.
Opening Prayer
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LITURGY OF THE WORD |
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Sit and get out your copy of the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation.
CANTOR NOTE: Have your music in hand and ready to move to the ambo as soon as the lector moves away.
Everyone should remain sitting until the lector finishes the first reading.
First
Reading
If microphone stands must be moved prior to the Responsorial Psalm, do so with gentle motion.
Stand as the musical introduction to the Responsorial Psalm begins. Face straight toward the congregation so that you can have eye contact with the Director at the organ.
Responsorial Psalm
CANTOR NOTE: Hold your posture at the ambo until the organ has finished the final phrase. Moving before the organ is finished is a distraction from the music’s completion and can make the moment feel rushed.
If microphone stands must be moved after the Responsorial Psalm, do so with gentle motion.
Everyone sits together once the cantor is back at her/his seat.
Everyone should remain sitting until the lector finishes the second reading.
Second
Reading
CANTOR NOTE: Have your music in hand and ready to move to the ambo as soon as the lector moves away.
Stand as the musical introduction to the Gospel Acclamation begins.
Gospel Acclamation
CANTOR NOTE: Hold your posture at the ambo until the organ has finished the final phrase. Moving before the organ is finished is a distraction from the music’s completion and can make the moment feel rushed.
Immediately following the Gospel Acclamation, face the deacon or priest and visually follow the Book of Gospels as it is brought to the ambo.
Everyone faces the ambo and listens to the deacon or priest read the Gospel.
Gospel
Everyone sits and listens to the homily.
Homily
Stand and face the congregation for the Profession of Faith.
Turn and face the ambo for the General Intercessions.
Profession of Faith
General Intercessions
Remain standing for the Preparation of the Gifts. With minimal movement, get your music for the song during the Preparation of the Gifts (a/k/a Offertory).
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LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST |
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Preparation of the Gifts
Sit at the end of the song.
The priest will pray at the altar. He will symbolically wash his hands. As he dries them on the towel, stand together as a group and face the altar. |
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© 2007, by St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
All rights reserved |
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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER |
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Preface
During the introduction to the Holy, turn to face the congregation.
Holy
After the final note of the Holy is complete, turn to face the altar.
Eucharistic Prayer I, II, III, or IV
During the introduction to the Memorial Acclamation, turn to face the congregation.
Memorial Acclamation
After the final note of the Memorial Acclamation is complete, turn to fact the altar.
Eucharistic Prayer I, II, III, or IV continued
During the introduction of the Amen, turn to face the congregation.
Amen
After the final note of the Amen is complete, join hands in preparation of the Lord’s Prayer.
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COMMUNION RITE |
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Lord’s Prayer
Sign of Peace
During the Sign of Peace, direct your signs to specific individuals and small groups of people. Avoid doing signs of peace toward the general congregation. A general sign of peace is done by the priest only.
During the musical introduction to the Lamb of God, finish doing the signs of peace and turn toward the congregation.
Breaking of the Bread (Lamb of God)
Turn to face the Host as the priest raises it and says, “This is the Lamb of God…”
Communion
After the congregation says, “Lord I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed,” turn toward the congregation to sing O Lord, I Am Not Worthy.
After the Eucharistic ministers have taken their places on the altar, line up for communion. Move in a minimum, gentle manner.
Communion Song
When you get back from communion, sit down and take a moment to pray. Get your music with minimal, gentle motion.
Stand together as a group when the Director signals.
Sit as a group when all songs are complete.
Period of Silence
Stand and face the priest for the Prayer after Communion.
If the microphone needs to be adjusted for the lector, use gentle motion while making adjustments. Acknowledge and smile at the lector if s/he is waiting for adjustments to be made. This transfers attention to the lector so that s/he can be more effective when making announcements.
During the announcements, look at the lector. Because the congregation’s attention is directed toward the music area, this is particularly important. Extraneous motion or body language that shows disinterest is distracting and detracts from the effectiveness of the lector.
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CONCLUDING RITE |
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Stand and turn toward the priest for the Greeting.
Greeting
Blessing
Dismissal
Turn toward the congregation to sing the Recessional.
Stand at attention until the final note of the Recessional is released.
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FiNAL NOTES: |
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When you see someone do something that is contrary to what has been written in this script, do not discuss it with the person directly. This can break down rapport between musicians and cause strife. If a discrepancy is of concern to you, discuss it with the Director. Critique and correction is a function of the Director. Honoring this function helps to promote cohesiveness and order among the group. |
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