Bear Music

Music for the Liturgy

New Lectionary - Advent 2024

Like many others I have been updating psalms for the new Lectionary which comes into use on First Sunday of Advent 2024. Psalms for Advent and Christmas are now available:

Also updated is the Helmsley Alleluia – with Advent verses from the new Lectionary.

Music for Rites

Responsorial Psalms and Antiphons are available for:

Psalms

Psalm settings for Sundays, Solemnities and Sacraments can be found here in a variety of styles. Simple settings are provided for the Common Psalms which include other settings where the same psalm occurs in the Lectionary.

The page includes a list of psalm settings and of Sundays etc.

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Antiphons

Here you will find settings of the Antiphons from the Roman Missal in English. There are simple settings for all the Sundays and major feasts where common musical ideas are repeated across a season.

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Mass Parts

At any Mass it is important to sing the Mass rather than just sing at Mass. Key to that principle is for the whole congregation to participate in the parts of the Mass: the Penitential Act, the Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, Eucharistic Acclamations (Sanctus, Memorial Acclamations and Amen), and Lamb of God.

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Other Music

Here will be found a variety of pieces which are not Mass Parts, Psalms or Antiphons. These includes songs with congregational refrains and pieces for choirs written for a variety of occasions. There are ‘short songs’ or chants which can be used in different circumstances. read more

Recent Additions

Psalm 30 (31)

In you, O Lord I take refuge. Good Friday: Celebration of the Lord's Passion Psalm 30 (31): 2. 6. 12-13. 15–17. 25 R. Luke 23:46 — Father, into you hands I commend my spirit. Published Music: Resurrexit (Decani), Praise be to Christ (OCP) Ps 30-1 (pdf) — could be sung...

Psalm 146 (147)

Praise the Lord for he is good. 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Psalm 146 (147)1–6. r. 3 — Praise the Lord who heals the broken-hearted. Ps 146 (pdf) Ps 146 r (pdf) The setting of Psalm 112 (113) uses the same musical material.

Psalm 115 (116b)

I trusted, even when I said. The settings marked MC are part of the More Common Psalms project. They are related to the settings of Psalm 114 (116b) 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year B Psalm 115 (116b): 10. 15–9. r. Ps 114: 9 —  I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the...

Psalm 114 (116a)

I love the Lord for he has heard The settings marked MC are part of the More Common Psalms project. They are related to the settings of Psalm 115 (116b) 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Psalm 114 (116a): 1–6. 8–9 r. 9 —  I will walk in the presence of the Lord in...

Psalm 39 (40)

I waited, waited for the Lord. The five settings are related. The same music for the response is used for each. 39-1,  39-2 & 39-3 share the same psalm tone. 39a & 39b are more lyrical but the same music is used for verses. 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A...