General Info
What should I do when we're done the music?
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Upon completing the Sending Forth song, do not immediately turn away from the congregation to start packing up your space and stuff. Please stand there and look toward the congregation for a few moments to acknowledge their (inevitable) applause.
It is a sign of respect to your fellow St. Michael's community members of their appreciation for your efforts and willingness to present your talents for the Mass. If you've ever been in the congregation to give applause for a music ministry who performed the music very well for the Mass, it may have felt slightly futile if the music ministry had already turned away to start packing up. Let us provide the congregation that opportunity.
Alternatively, you can stand there for a few moments and simply give thanks to God. Just face the congregation when you do!
How do I make sense of the Planner?
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The Planner is sent out each week via email and also made available in hardcopy at rehearsal each Sunday. The master version of the Planner is the one found on this website in the Planners section for a specific date. A Planner is a schedule or ordered outline of all the parts of the Mass that require music from the band. All music/lyric will be provided in hardcopy form to each musician in the band.
The order of music on the Planner is fixed and we will perform the music as laid out in the Planner. On occasion, the order may be altered, but that is rare, namely because of the number of people involved who rely on this order. The decision to change the order, if it happens, will occur during rehearsal. Rarer still is a change to the order during Mass--which almost never happens.
The Planner does not provide specific information about each music piece other than its title and [usually] the author. Music information for each song will be found in the music or lyric handout for the individual piece. Any additional notes given during rehearsal can be written on the music or lyric handout.
Each piece is generally performed in a standing position for all musicians that can perform standing. If for some reason you must sit, then it is acceptable to do so.
Note that you must be prepared to start playing/singing the piece when it must be performed during Mass, since long pauses before a song starts inhibits the flow of the Mass, disrupting the prayerful state. The Planner helps you to prepare for the next song.
Note that the songs for the various parts in the Mass now use the new text of the Roman Missal.
Here are brief explanations and notes for each part within the Planner:
Title: specifies that the planner is for the Life Teen Band, the date of the Mass at which the planned songs are to be performed, and the liturgical title for the Mass being titled (either Ordinary Time, Special Mass, or Feast Day)
Gathering: the opening song or processional; this song is typically upbeat (but can be more "downbeat" on solemn occasions) and its purpose is to bring people out of their daily world and into the celebration of the Mass.
Lord Have Mercy: usually recited and not typically performed, but occurs shortly after the opening prayer
Gloria: usually performed and is very upbeat. It comes closely after the Lord Have Mercy
Responsorial Psalm: performed after the first reading while the proclaimer (reader) is pausing at the pulpit, this song draws its lyrics on the responsorial psalm for the day. A soloist (cantor) typically sings the verses, with the rest of the singers joining to lead the congregation at the refrains.
Gospel Acclamation: performed after the second reading. On occasion, if there is no second reading, it is performed immediately after the responsorial psalm. The cue for starting the piece is when the priest begins standing. The short song (usually about 1.5 minutes in length or less) should typically be very upbeat and loud, as it heralds the forthcoming reading of the Gospel.
Homily: although typically no music is performed at the homily, there has been music performed as part of the teaching in the homily, usually as incidental music to a play-like segment or in a meditational format.
Profession of Faith: performed after the Homily, this is also the musical version of the Nicene Creed. Some days it is recited; this alternation is determined on a weekly basis and is meant to balance the singing and reciting of this prayer. The cue to start it is when the priest stands and invites the congregation to stand.
Preparation of the Gifts/Offertory: the cue to start is when the priest and congregation seat themselves. The piece is performed by the band and lyrics are displayed for the congregation. The piece can be of a wide variety styles and tempos. Because of the "half participation" of the congregation during this song, we sometimes use this segment to introduce new songs to the congregation (and ourselves). The goal is to finish the piece by the time the priest performs the Washing of the Hands.
Offering: a short piece performed at the start of the Washing of the Hands and during the processing of the offering gifts to the altar by offering ministers. This piece has been deprecated.
[Liturgy of the Eucharist]
Holy: a short, typically upbeat and boisterous piece immediately starting after the priest says, "...while the choirs of angels sing." There has sometimes been overlap with the priest's recitation and the musical introduction of the song.
Memorial Acclamation: a slightly subdued piece, it is started immediately after the priest says or sings, "...Let us proclaim the mystery of [our] faith."
Great Amen: notably more exhuberant and grander than the Memorial Acclamation, it starts immediately after the priest says or sings, "Through him, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever." The band must begin playing immediately so as to prevent the congregation from simply reciting "Amen".
Our Father: when sung, it is usually a more calming piece than the previous Great Amen. It is the custom for the congregation to join hands as the priest says, "Jesus taught us to call God our Father, and so we have the courage to say:". The introduction to the music usually overlaps (quietly) with the priest and singing of the lyrics begins immediately after to maintain the flow of the prayer.
Sign of Piece: the priest says, "Let us offer each other a sign of peace" and we join with the congregation in giving each other within the band the sign of piece. If it is convenient for you to share the sign of piece with congregation members, please do so. Keep this short as the next piece will start immediately after.
Breaking of the Bread (Lamb of God): this is usually a slow to mid-tempo piece and begins immediately after the Sign of Piece.
Communion: the band will receive communion just after the Eucharistic Ministers receive theirs. The band will be offered two stations (each with both species), one on each side of the band's location. Please lineup immediately after finishing the song for Lamb of God. Return as quickly as possible to begin the performance of the Communion songs. There are typically two communion songs performed, with an occasional third song.
Praise and Worship: flowing from the Communion section of Mass, the song at which the priest has returned to his sitting area will flow from a build to a decrescendo but the music from the instruments will continue softly. The priest will use this as a cue to lead the congregation in an intense period of praise and worship. When the priest appears to conclude his praise and worship, the band will return to the previous piece or start a new piece but without interrupting the flow of the performance. There is usually a crescendo in the music before finally finishing the piece quietly. The priest will then ask the congregation to sit.
Sending Forth: also known as the recessional, the count-in for the song will begin during the dismissal "...so let us go forth to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God. (Alleluia)!" and the first notes of the song to follow immediately after, if not just before the end of the congregation speaking the dismissal prayer. The Sending Forth song is often the most exhuberant and boisterous of the songs performed during the Mass.
How do I know what songs will be done for Mass?
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Planners are sent out by email towards the end of each week (usually Thursday or Friday), prior to the Sunday on which they will be performed. Any accompanying audio references will be included as links in the Planner email. You will need internet access to reach links referred from this website.
The weekly email will be sent to those who had planned to perform with the band for the upcoming Sunday. If your email is not working but your are still able to do web browsing, check with this website for the planner and audio reference links.
Click Planners at the top menu for a listing of the current year's list of planners. Click on Responsorial Psalms or Songs for audio of pertinent songs. There is also a collection of songs recorded live during Mass (you will need log into the site as a registered visitor to access the Live Recordings).
How do I audition for the band?
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Approach the band leader, Demetrio Navarro, or another member of the band, about your desire to join. You'll be asked to provide your contact info. For Demetrio, email him at
Auditions are held at different times and are typically done in the sanctuary of the church.
For the most common audition we do, you will be asked to come after the 5pm Mass on Sunday to audition with Demetrio and possibly other members of the band.
Alternatively, if a group of people will be auditioning, a separate time during the week will be scheduled and you will be contacted.
Periodic announcements will be made when an open audition is to take place. Information for such events will be posted in the church bulletin and/or announced at Mass.
During the Audition
You will be asked to perform songs that you are familiar with as well as songs from the Inspirition Band repertoire for which you will be given music or a "chart". You may also be asked to play or sing based on verbal instructions.
Tip: perform in the audition as if you are performing in front of the congregation. An audition is no place to be shy or scared because in front of the congregation, it will be worse!
So have fun at the audition. That kind of joy will really help you.
