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:
- Sacraments of Initiation including:
- RCIA
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Funerals
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.
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.
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…
- Current Settings
Advent & Christmas
- 1st Sunday of Advent
- 2nd Sunday of Advent
- 3rd Sunday of Advent
- 4th Sunday of Advent
- Nativity of the Lord
- Holy Family
- Mary, Mother of God
- 2nd Sunday after the Nativity
- Epiphany of the Lord
- Baptism of the Lord
Proper of Saints
Antiphons: Solemnities & Feasts of the Lord
- 8 December — The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Recent Additions
Daniel 3: 57-88, 56
O all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord. To him be glory and praise for ever. Daniel 3: 52–56, the Benedictus est is also available. Morning Prayer Sunday Morning Prayer, weeks I and III Daniel 3: 57-88. 56 — O all you works of the Lord, O bless the Lord....
Daniel 3: 52-57
You are blest, Lord God of our fathers. To you glory and praise for evermore. This setting was originally written for a broadcast of Sunday Morning Prayer on Radio 4. For that occasion it was embellished with choir and instrument parts but it works just as well with...
Psalm 46 (47)
All peoples, clap your hands. The Ascension of the Lord Common Psalm Project — related settings have the suffix CP Psalm 46 (47): 2–3. 6–9. R. v. 6 — God goes up with shouts of joy; the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. Psalm 46 (pdf) Psalm 46 r (pdf) CP Ps 46-1 Common...
Victimae Paschali laudes — Easter Sequence
This setting of the sequence uses the melody of O filii et fillæ and so includes an Alleluia refrain. The text is based on the Sequence for Easter Sunday. For SATB choir and Congregation. It is possible just to sing the melody in the verses, dividing between men and...
Springs of Water
A setting of the Acclamation following the Blessing of Water at the Easter Vigil. Optional verses can be used to accompany the Sprinkling with blessed water. For congregation, cantor, optional choir, keyboard and guitar. Springs of water (pdf) Springs of water -...
Lux et Origo Mass
This setting is based on the plainchant Mass I which is marked to be sung in the Easter Season. I have taken the chant and simplified it so that the English text can be sung to it. - but I hope that it retains some of the essence of the chant. Lux et origo is quite a...