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Author Archives: Craig Colson

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A New Missal, But the Same Mass

By | February 3, 2011

On November 27, 2011, we will begin using a new translation of the Roman Missal, which will change the words we use to pray the Mass. That date will be the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new Church year, so it was chosen as a good day to make these text changes. Let me stress a key point right up front: the words we use in the Mass are changing, the structure of the Mass is not.

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What Instruments Can I Use at Mass?

By | January 14, 2011

In recent months I have received many questions from Liturgical Musicians as to what Instruments are appropriate for Liturgy and which are not? Some people feel that only the Organ is appropriate for the Liturgy while others feel it acceptable to use any instrument that can produce a sound. Whenever a question like this comes up, before I answer it, I always think it is best to go to the documents of our Church instead of trying to just answer it myself. After all, the church is making its decisions

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Engaging Busy Teenagers in the Ensemble Without Sacrificing Quality

By | January 3, 2011

Today I would like feature our guest music ministry blogger Angus McDonnell. I asked Angus to talk about how to get teens involved with music at Mass while keeping things sounding good.

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How to Shorten Music Practice

By | December 20, 2010

Well I hope this title caught your attention and no, I’m not just going to tell you to make your practice shorter by practicing fewer songs. Today, most people have access to the Internet and, as we know, are spending a lot of time surfing the web, watching videos and listening to music. Well, why not direct some of that time that your musicians are spending in cyberspace to learning the music you will be going over at your next practice? In recent years, the production quality of Catholic music

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Organized Musicians???

By | December 16, 2010

I bet I already know what you’re thinking: Musicians are the most disorganized, tardy and flaky people on earth! Well, if you are a musician I mean no disrespect. After all…I am a musician myself. But, I do have to say that if we are all being honest, there is a reason why we have this stigma attached to us. I think we sometimes chalk it up to it being the creative “Artist” and therefore a little bit flaky. So does it matter? Well, yes – it does.

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All Rights Reserved… Used with Permission

By | November 27, 2010

Recently, I was asked to speak to a group of Music Ministers at a Musicians’ workshop. As I began to speak about the need to have a copyright license to reprint the lyrics to songs on a worship aide, suddenly the room became awkwardly silent. To my surprise, many musicians did not know about the need for licenses. Maybe you are one of those musicians, just finding this out for the first time. If so, relax and let me answer some common questions about Copyright licenses. Music publishers offer

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Happy [Liturgical] New Year! Ideas for Advent Theme Songs

By | November 10, 2010

I’m not saying it’s time to break into “Old Lang Syne” yet, or anything like that, but we are less than a month away from a new Liturgical Year in the Church (November 28th is the First Sunday In Advent). Advent is a great time of preparation for the second coming of Christ and celebration of Lord’s birth in Bethlehem.

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Song After Communion

By | March 31, 2009

Over the past years there has been a lot of focus on the song we sing after communion or as we sometimes call it the “communion meditation.” The time after communion is sacred and so it is appropriate that we sing a reflective song celebrating and focusing on the Eucharist we have just received. The communion meditation is often a song to be listened to by the entire assembly and is usually sung by just one cantor alone or the entire choir. It is often a song that the assembly would just actively

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LET’S START A GARAGE BAND

By | November 24, 2008

I have to admit that in my day I’ve played with plenty of garage bands. When I was in high school, there was nothing more exciting than setting up all your equipment in your friends garage, turning the amps up to 11 and playing all the songs you knew as loud as you could until the neighbors came over and asked you to stop or called the police! So, am I asking you to engage in illegal activity? No, not at all, but “jamming out” is a great way to play with other musicians without having to worry about

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Gearing Up For A New Year

By | July 14, 2008

Working around the parish in the summer may get you down a bit. School is out, people are on vacation and you may even be trying to figure out what it is you should be doing to get ready for the New Year. Well, a new school year is right around the corner and people will start returning from vacations and trips and will get very busy…fast! Don’t get caught playing catch up! Now is the time to get ready for the next semester of Liturgies and LIFE Nights. Maybe you are one of those people who plan