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 117 (118)

Alleluia! Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. Easter Sunday: Vigil — Mass of Easter Night: Responsorial Psalm Common Psalms: Easter 1b Common Psalm Project — related settings have the suffix CP Psalm 117: 1-2. 16-17. 22-23 — Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Easter...

Psalm 41 (42)

Like the deer that yearns for running streams. The settings marked MC are part of the More Common Psalms project. Easter Sunday: Vigil — Psalm after 7th Reading Psalm 41:3. 5; 42:3. 4. r. 41:2 — Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for...

Psalm 18 (19)

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. Common Psalms: Ordinary Time Common Psalm Project — related settings have the suffix CP. The Lectionary offers a number of variations of text for  both psalm responses. Psalm 18: 8–11 r. Jn 6:69 — Lord, you have the message of...

Psalm 29 (30)

I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued me. Easter Sunday: Vigil – Psalm after 4th Reading 3rd Sunday of Easter: Year C 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year B 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Year C Psalm 29: 2. 4-6. 11-13 r.2 — I will praise you, Lord, you have rescued...