In this series of articles, we explore the ways in which you can start a Traditional Latin Mass in your city, how you can overcome obstacles, and provide resources you can use to further your cause.
OR THOSE intrepid souls diligently working to bring the Extraordinary Form Mass to their city for the first time, I have a little gift to help you along in providing the music. Because the Traditional Latin Mass (“TLM” or “Extraordinary Form”) is often a strange new world for those making the switch from the Novus Ordo, it can be difficult to know exactly when to sing what. If you’re just starting out with the TLM, you will definitely want to download these two documents:
* PDF Download • SIMPLE GUIDE TO SING THE TLM
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* PDF Download • Singing Cues “At A Glance”
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Notice: If you are considering whether you could start a Traditional Latin Mass in your city, you will want to first read about what is required in order to start it up, or if you have a TLM but are encountering problems, you can read about how to overcome common obstacles to establishing a stable TLM.
Do Not Be Afraid
For those tasked with providing music for the liturgy, there is a distinct learning curve. The prospect of leading music for the Extraordinary Form can certainly be intimidating! But I want to encourage you not to be too nervous. It’s easy for me to say this now that I have been leading music for the Extraordinary Form for a number of years. I remember the day I realized I was going to have to lead it for the first time and how much that freaked me out. I suffered from stage fright for years as a young violinist, and leading a choir in public definitely sounded like a disaster waiting to happen. But when I expressed this to our priest, his reaction was interesting. He was not at all concerned about my nerves. He sort of shrugged and said, “Oh, it’s not that hard.” And it turns out that he was right. Once you figure out what cues to look for, it is very simple. With the guide I’ve give you above, you should have no problem doing wonderfully at leading the Mass!
Remember that there are many free online resources to help you along the journey from Novus Ordo to Missa Cantata.
Roll your Sleeves Up and Get to Work
Starting a Traditional Latin Mass requires serious effort and music is a huge part of that. There will, of course, be challenges. Not only do you have to recruit singers, but you have to teach them to sing Gregorian chant cohesively. Piece of cake, right? You will quickly find that although everyone is singing the same thing, it might not sound exactly like one voice. There are a few reasons why that might be the case, so if you have taught everyone the right notes but it still doesn’t sound much like chant, you may want to read my article on troubleshooting your chant.
Although it takes a lot of work, there is a lot you can do to help yourself. This is absolutely within your grasp. And even if a TLM in your city isn’t imminent, you can start learning now and be ready for when the time comes by using these free resources:
A Good Way To Learn:
You can take Gregorian Chant Lessons which will teach you to read and sing Gregorian chant at your own pace.The Best Way To Learn:
Gregorian Chant Practice Recordings will help you learn the propers for the Masses.Bookmark This:
This fabulous online tool will help you create psalm tone propers if the full propers are too difficult at the beginning. To print your selections, check the boxes you want to print and then hit the “PDF” button. That will save the file to your computer so you can print it.For Polyphony:
Polyphonic sheet music and practice recordings can be used for when your newly developed choir is ready to tackle choral music.For When We Get Past Covid:
Sacred Music Symposium
If you’re actively trying to start up a TLM, explore these resources:
Resources for Altar Servers – A variety of helpful books and resources for altar servers, including training materials.
PDF Download: Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described (Fortescue) or purchase a copy to keep as a handy reference for the rubrics.
Psallite Sapienter – A Musician’s Guide to the Extraordinary Form
Liturgical Ordo – The liturgical calendar of Masses for the year
Canticum Clericorum Romanum – All Epistles and Gospels written out in chant form for the full liturgical year. This is used in seminaries to learn how to chant these parts of the Mass, so it can also be helpful for a diocesan priest who is just learning how to chant the Epistle and Gospel.
1962 Missale Romanum – The priest will need this, as it contains the texts for Holy Mass in Latin.
Altar Cards – These contain some of the prayers that are said at Mass and serve as a memory aid.
Sacristan’s Manual to help you learn how to set up the altar.
Next article in this series:
Next Article in this Series: How to Start your own Latin Mass Society
