Our Events in 2006

MUSIC MINISTRY EVENING

Our latest evening workshop was held on Thursday 9 November and there were a (record!) 39 people present.

The first half of the evening was a discussion on ‘Practicalities of parish music’, hosted by Bishop Taylor.  The primary importance of singing the parts of the Mass (especially the four acclamations - the Gospel acclamation, the Sanctus, the Memorial acclamation and the Amen) was emphasised; and that hymns, if used, should be of good quality (for example based on the words of Scripture).  The Gloria and Psalm should also be sung if possible.

Issues covered included coping in the absence of a musician, speed and pitch considerations, organisational issues - practices and rotas and teaching congregations new music.

We talked about weaknesses of some Mass settings where the same melody is used throughout - should the Sanctus really be sung to the same tune as the Lamb of God?  ‘Paraphrases’ can also be problematical, for example the Peruvian Gloria which scarcely reflects the full Gloria text.

After a short break, Les Hendren (from St John Ogilvie’s in Bourtreehill) led a session on music from Advent.  Music was taken from ‘Veni Emmanuel’ published by Decani Music, and our thanks are due to them for permission to photocopy materials for the workshop.  We went through a wide range of materials including Gathering songs, Psalms, Gospel acclamations and some miscellaneous songs.  Some of the music would be very easy for congregations to learn, and some of it was harder, but in general it was ‘accessible’ and ‘tuneful’ and enjoyed by workshop participants.  We were accompanied by a music group consisting of guitars, keyboard, flute and violin.

GA|LLOWAY MUSIC FESTIVAL MASS

The annual Galloway Music Festival Mass was held on Sunday 20 August in the grounds of Smithstone House, Kilwinning. Despite a rainy start to the day the weather was warm and sunny.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr Mark Kelly (Galloway Diocese's newest priest), and concelebrated by Fr Delio (from Argentina) and Fr Stephen Montroni (from Smithstone House).

There were over 50 people present, and the musicians included a flautist, two violinists, a viola player, and a guitarist. The music was very successful and we enjoyed playing the Kyrie and Lamb of God from James MacMillan's St Anne's Mass hitherto unknown in the Diocese.

See the news page for photos.

MUSIC MINISTRY EVENING

The evening with Mgr Gerry Fitzpatrick on ‘Celtic Music and Community Prayer’ went very well (Wednesday 14 June).  There were more people present than there have been at our last few events - reflecting that perhaps you prefer an event held of an evening.  We were pleased also to see some new people present.

We worked very hard at singing through hymns, canticles and psalms (accompanied by organ, flute, guitar and violin) and went home tired but happy!

Our thanks once again to Smithstone House for their hospitality.