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

Mass of St Gabriel

The Mass setting began as a set of Eucharistic Acclamations. They were designed to be introduced responsorially but then sung straight through. Later at the request of an American parish a Penitential Rite, Gloria and Lamb of God were added. The whole setting was...

Nores Lamb of God

A simple Lamb of God which a companion to the Nores Acclamations. The setting has been approved for publication by the Department for Christian Life and Worship. Nores Lamb of God for congregation, choir, guitar, keyboard and flute. Nores Lamb of God -...

Nores Acclamations

The Nores Acclamations were written to be used alongside the Nores Lamb of God setting. They are intended to be used with a variety of resources, even no resources — they were first sung unaccompanied. Introducing the Acclamations it is possible to sing them...

Antiphons: Advent Weekdays

Advent Weekdays (pdf) The Weekdays of Advent fall into 2 distinct periods. In the latter half, the week before Christmas, the liturgy is proper to each day (from 17–24 December). At the beginning of Advent the antiphons are arranged in a weekly cycle. Advent —...