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 80

Music Psalm 80 (pdf) Settings from Lectionary 24 using Abbey Psalms and Canticles Responses 4 Bring us back, O God; let your face shine forth, and we shall be saved. 80-1*, 2 4b Let your face shine forth, O Lord, and we shall be saved. 80-3, 4 Is 5:7a The vineyard of...

Isaiah 12 – L24

Music Isaiah 12 (pdf) Settings from Lectionary 24 using Abbey Psalms and Canticles Responses 1c Your anger turned back, and you consoled me. Is12-1 3 With joy will you draw water from the springs of salvation. Is12-2*, Is12-3 There is an inconsistency mistake in the...

Psalm 126

Music Psalm 126 (pdf) Settings from Lectionary 24 using Abbey Psalms and Canticles Responses 3 What great deeds the Lord worked for us! Indeed, we were glad. 126-1*, 126-2 3a What great deeds the Lord worked for us! 126-3 5 Those who are sowing in tears will sing when...

Psalm 25

Music Psalm  25 (pdf) Settings from Lectionary 24 using Abbey Psalms and Canticles Responses 1b To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 25-1*, 2, 3, 4, 5 3 Those who hope in you, O Lord, will not be put to shame. 25-6, 7 4a O Lord, make me know your ways. 25-8*, 9 cf. 4b...

Two-Tone Mass

A setting born out of lockdown. It began as a simple setting of the Gloria, which could be easily and quickly sung. It is based on two tones (hence the name of the Mass) and these were adapted to provide a complete Mass setting. It is intended to be flexible and can...

Psalm 67 (68)

Let God arise. Let his foes be scattered. 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C Psalm 67 (68): 4-7. 10–11. r. cf v. 11 — In your goodness, O God, you prepared a home for the poor. Psalm 67 (pdf) Psalm 67 r (pdf)