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 1

Happy indeed is the man. 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C 1 March — St David Psalm 1: 1–4. 6. R. Ps 39:5 — Happy the man who has placed his trust in the Lord. Psalm 1 (pdf) Psalm 1 r (pdf)

Psalm 138 (139)

O Lord, you search me and you know me. Nativity of St John the Baptist: Day Psalm 138 (139): 1-3 13-15 r. 14 — I thank you for the wonder of my being. Psalm 138 Psalm 138 r

Nativity of St John the Baptist

24 June Antiphons Solemnities and Feasts of the Lord Nativity of St John the Baptist: Vigil — 23 June EA He will be great in the sight of the Lord (91) CA Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel (97) Nativity of St John the Baptist: Day — 24 June EA A man was sent...

Psalm 40 (41)

Happy the man who considers the poor and the weel 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Psalm 40 (41): 2-5. 13-14. r. 5 — Heal my soul for I have sinned against you. Psalm 40 (pdf) Psalm 40 instruments (pdf) Psalm 40 r (pdf)

Psalm 150

Praise God in his holy place Weekdays Ordinary Time, Year I, Week 23, Thursday - Psalm 150: 1–6. r. v.6 — Let everything that breathes give praise to the Lord. or Alleluia! Ordinary Time,, Year II, Week 33, Wednesday - Psalm 150: 1-6 r. Apoc 4:8 — Holy, Holy, Holy is...

Comfort & Joy Acclamations

A set of Eucharistic Acclamations based on the carol God rest you merry gentlemen for the Christmas Season. The Acclamations are intended to be easy to pick up and possibly even bring a smile to some faces. The setting is arranged for unison voices (with an optional...