The New Texts: A Seminar for Composers

[Nick Baty]

I understand what you mean, Q. However, this is a seminar for composers and, for composers, discussions about the place of the comma do matter as that affects how they set the texts.

The only problem I can see is that it's happening so late. This is not, of course, the fault of the organisers who had no idea the Order of Mass was going to be introduced so early. And with publication allowed/expected six months before, that means publishers are now submitting their wares for approval which means the composers need to start composing... well, around three months ago!

[MaryR]

Flippin' heck! You blink and another 50 posts have been added!

....perhaps an indication of the timetable?

This isn't set in stone, but it will go something like this:

Timetable

10.15 Arrivals and tea/coffee
10.30 Introduction/Welcome/Prayer
10.45 Martin Foster - the rationale behind the new translation and the Bishops' role in overseeing liturgical music
11.15 Canon Alan Griffiths - looking at the texts
12.15 A brief look at antiphons and introduction to a new resource for composers
12.30 Lunch
01.00 Afternoon session with composers
03.15 Panel to take questions
04.00 Finish

[Nick Baty]

So the morning's a general session and the afternoon's more specifically for composers. Nicely done!

[Hare]

Will we get to see / hear / try some of the settings so far produced?

[Nick Baty]

Hare has a good point here. Of course, there might not be time to plough through heaps of stuff on the day but I'm sure we're all desperate for repertoire. Are any dioceses hosting such sessions?

[mcb]

Will we get to see / hear / try some of the settings so far produced?

There will inevitably be a bit of that, but it's not the focus of the afternoon. We'll avoid a simple 'repertoire' session (we did that at last year's Summer School), and we're not inviting submissions of new settings (that's what the SSG Composers' Group is for). But there's lots to be said about the implications for composers of the new texts and the accompanying guidelines: what we should be singing, the musical forms that can be involved, what makes for a good setting, and the diversity of styles that can accomplish the Church's vision for successful liturgy. (Well, that's what I'm thinking so far. Preparation and planning for the event is now literally at fever pitch.)

[Nick Baty]

Can anyone confirm:
Am I right in thinking that the new translation is just "allowed" in September, rather than compulsory. If so, we have a three-month period in which to shift gear, at whatever speed.
If it is supposed to be used in the autumn, then we're really up against it and repertoire will be desperately needed. That's why I was asking about diocesan events above.

[TimSharrock]

Preparation and planning for the event is now literally at fever pitch.)

so between G and G# an octave and a bit below middle C (if you work in Fahrenheit) or a bit above D an octave and a bit lower again in Celsius... (sorry)

[mcb]

Yep, that's it - around here somewhere.

[HallamPhil]

Hallam is planning a series of opportunities from mid March with which to support folk through deaneries and schools and set the ball rolling. We're also considering using a Diocesan celebration in July as a focus for bringing it all together in the cathedral so that more are prepared for September in the parishes.

As to the seminar I suspect that we may be missing a trick if we do not model what we mean and include some repertoire. The Summer School experience provided submissions which one site moderator has already commented upon negatively.

As to fever pitch ... I and others have been working steadily on this for what seems like years so I'm not in a fever at all. In fact am about to go on holiday! I think this is part of the task ... to alleviate the anxiety that is out there among our great many less technically experienced musicians (salt of the earth). These may appear in their droves because this seminar might be the first thing being offered to the public. When I was invited to address many conferences over the summer (but not SSG) anxieties were reported to be alleviated somewhat and mainly because it was clear that some composers on both sides of the water were on top of the task with a content the parishes could aspire to.

The hyper-ventillated theses of some on this site are public and may not be that attractive, me thinks. But then I'm not a pixie!

[Nick Baty]

Hallam is planning a series of opportunities from mid March with which to support folk through deaneries and schools and set the ball rolling. We're also considering using a Diocesan celebration in July as a focus for bringing it all together in the cathedral so that more are prepared for September in the parishes.

Anything in any other dioceses?

[Hare]

Hallam is planning a series of opportunities from mid March with which to support folk through deaneries and schools and set the ball rolling. We're also considering using a Diocesan celebration in July as a focus for bringing it all together in the cathedral so that more are prepared for September in the parishes.

Anything in any other dioceses?

I shall be seeing Nick Gale tomorrow - I'll see if he knows if Southwark are planning anything.

(Totally off-topic, but I don't suppose anyone else is going to this: http://www.pnms.co.uk/organists/29jan/first.html are they? Sorry - I've forgotten how to embed a URL! )

[Nick Baty]

My PP's been driving around with three Doxologies on his CD player for some weeks now. (Well, he promises me he has been but the proof will be in the singing.) And I've just (five minutes ago) noticed that "To you, O God, almighty Father" has dropped "To you" and that "is all honour and glory for ever and ever" has become "all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever" – which is a completely different rhythm! Now I'll have to remake the CD and he'll have to unlearn!

[musicus]

Yes, they changed that some time ago. It caused several American publishing houses to have to reset and reprint.

[Southern Comfort]

Can anyone confirm:
Am I right in thinking that the new translation is just "allowed" in September, rather than compulsory. If so, we have a three-month period in which to shift gear, at whatever speed.
If it is supposed to be used in the autumn, then we're really up against it and repertoire will be desperately needed. That's why I was asking about diocesan events above.

My understanding is that it will be compulsory, certainly for spoken texts, but sensibly there will be a grandfather clause for those who simply can't effect an immediate transition with sung texts.