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

1 Timothy 3

O praise the Lord, all you nations! He was manifested in the flesh. Epiphany of the Lord, Baptism of the Lord; Evening Prayer I 1 Timothy 3:16 — He was manifested in the flesh. A lively setting of this canticle which could be used at other liturgies in the Christmas...

Who do you say that I am?

A song based on Matthew 16 and Jesus' question and the disciples' response followed by Peter's acclamation. You are the Christ, Son of the living God, Jesus the Messiah. Who do you say that I am? for Congregation, Cantor, Guitar and Keyboard. Who do you say -...

Come and See

A simple, catechetical song in which short phrases of Jesus are repeated with each verse ending with the injunction: Don't be afraid. Come and See for Congregation, Guitar and Keyboard. Come + see acc (pdf) Come + see gt (pdf) Come + see melody (pdf)

Come and Drink

A Communion Song with a refrain, which may be sung repeatedly, verses drawn from Psalm 115 (116). The refrain balances some of the rich images associated with wine in scriptures with those of bread. The descant uses the words: 'This is my body… This is my...

Revelation 4

Worthy are you, our Lord and God. Evening Prayer: Tuesday Revelation: 3:11; 5:9, 10, 12 — Worthy are you, our Lord and God The setting could also be sung as an Entrance Song in the Easter Season Revelation 4 acc (pdf) Revelation 4 r (pdf)