I like to use the
liturgical planning guide from
CanticaNOVA Publications, because I'm not smart enough to determine the proper music without aid. Included are sections like this below, meant to guide the musician to make good selections and decisions:
Tradition advises against organ music during Lent, except as needed to accompany singing. The triumphant nature of the first part of today's liturgy would seem to benefit from an appropriate, festive organ prelude, however. An organ or instrumental selection might also accompany the movement of the celebrant to the place of blessing branches, with a congregational hymn being sung during the procession. If organ music is thusly used, it should not be used at other places in today's Mass, once the theme has changed from the jubilance of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the stark gravity of the cross and passion (i.e. no organ music at communion and definitely no postlude).
Darn. Now I need to find a good prelude. But will the Smart Masses understand why my prelude is jubilant, then I had no organ at all at the end? Probably not.
As I looked through my
Gregorian Missal, I discovered that MANY chants are called for on Palm Sunday. I hope that Father will allow me to do at least the Gregorian communion chant, just this once.
Introit: Hosanna Filio David (BB 18)
Processional: All Glory, Laud, and Honor (BB 141)
Psalm: MCK
Offertory: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (BB 155)
Communion: I terribly much want to do the Gregorian proper here. Sigh.
Recessional: Sing, My Tongue, The Savior's Glory (BB 149) OR silence, depending on which Father prefers
