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
Christmas Lamb of God
This setting is based on a Christmas hymn by Johann Georg Ebeling (1637–1676) (cf. All this my heart rejoices in Carols for Choirs 2). It can be sung just by Cantor and keyboard with the Congregation repeating the final phrase, by SATB choir. The repeat of the last...
Advent Lamb of God
This setting makes reference to O come, O come Emmanuel and Rorate caeli. It can be sung a number of ways: Cantor with the Congregation repeating the final phrase of each line; Cantor and then Choir coming in on 'you take' and Congregation repeating the final phrase;...
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 50 (51)
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. Ash Wednesday 1st Sunday of Lent: Year A Common Psalms: Lent 1 Common Psalm Project — related settings have the suffix CP Psalm 50: 3–6. 12–14. 17 R. cf. v.3 — Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned. Psalm 50 (AW)...
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...