Music Planning

When planning music, always look to the Scripture readings. Liturgical music should take on the overtones of the readings. On the first two Sundays of Advent, the songs should focus on the risen Christ returning in glory at the end of time, since this is the focus of the readings during the first two weeks. However, during the final two weeks of Advent, the hymns and anthems should focus on the coming of the newborn Jesus, in accordance with the readings.

The following are a few planning resources that might be helpful as you prepare for the season. They all provide hymn and anthem suggestions, as well as insightful information for the season:

AIM: Liturgy Resources
www.wlp.jspaluch.com/8062.htm

NPM Planning calendar and music suggestions (Free): will come out in a week
www.npm.org/Planning/index.html
www.npm.org/Choral_Anthem_Project/index.html

GIA Quarterly
www.giamusic.com/products/P-GIAQ.cfm

GIA Planner (you can sign up for free!)
www.giaplanner.net/

Liturgia Y Cancion
www.ocp.org/lc

OCP Online Tools
www.ocp.org/products/onlinetools

Today’s Liturgy
www.ocp.org/products/TLE-141

Today’s Liturgy with Children (Free)

“TLC is an online archive offering insightful articles, anthem suggestions for children’s choirs, previews of new music and more. It is especially helpful for those involved in ministry with children, including teachers, religious educators, pastors and leaders of Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Articles are published three times a year.” (OCP)

www.ocp.org/articles/series/todays_liturgy_children

Remember that these planning resources offer suggestions and not final choices. We highly encourage you to combine those suggestions with your own criteria (based on the readings) when selecting music.

• Advent Music from GIA

http://www.giamusic.com/sacred_music/advent-2013.cfm

• Advent Wreath Service by John Schiavone (OCP)

http://www.ocp.org/products/30115358

• Advent Season (USCCB)

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/index.cfm

• Cry Out with Joy Year A,B, or C: Music for the Liturgy of the Word (GIA)

by David Haas, Kathleen Harmon SND de N, Stephen Pishner, Paul Tate, Lori True

http://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=21436

• Jesse Tree (GIA)

Advent Song and Paraliturgies for Children

By Dennis Newman

http://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4548

• Nuevos Cantos para el Adviento y Navidad

By Carmelo Erdozain

http://www.ocp.org/products/9132

• Psalms for the Advent Season (WLP)

By Rev. Chrysogonus Waddell, OCSO

http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/1158.htm

• Seven Communion Chants for the Advent and Christmas Season (WLP)

By Charles Thatcher

http://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/8286.htm

• The Advent of Our God (OCP)

By James Hansen

“This service for the Advent season contains easy SAB arrangements of traditional Advent carols and psalm settings, along with readings, assembly parts, optional percussion and piano overture.”

http://www.ocp.org/products/9217

• To Worship in Spirit and Truth (GIA)

A Liturgical Preparation Process for Pastoral Musicians and Liturgical Leaders

By David Haas

http://www.giamusic.com/search_details.cfm?title_id=4409

• Today’s Liturgy with Children (OCP)

“TLC is an online archive offering insightful articles, anthem suggestions for children’s choirs, previews of new music and more. It is especially helpful for those involved in ministry with children, including teachers, religious educators, pastors and leaders of Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Articles are published three times a year.” (OCP)

http://www.ocp.org/articles/series/todays_liturgy_children

• Within Our Hearts Be Born (OCP)

The Michael Joncas Hymnary: Advent and Christmas

By Michael Joncas

http://www.ocp.org/products/30113320

The Festival of Lessons and Carols is very common among parishes during the Advent Season. This service which originated in the Church of England during the 19th century, and it involves nine Scripture readings (lessons), followed by a carol and a prayer.

Please visit the following link to find out more about the Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols:

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/festival-of-lessons-and-carols.cfm

One of the most famous festivals of Lessons and Carols takes place every year at King’s College in Cambridge, UK. Please visit the following website for more information about their Festival and the history behind this service:

http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services/nine-lessons.html#booklets