Month: November 2013

There are certain, presiders, that like to keep things moving.  What’s funny about this particular improvisation, during the communion procession, is that there was a Eucharistic minister serving the wine that took longer than the rest of the ministers.  From my vantage point, I didn’t notice this.  That caused me to tack on an extra coda ending as the priest was waiting for things to move on.  I have often thought that this sort of improvisation is all about how to extend an ending.  It is an art to make an ending not sound like an ending.

At this particular vigil Mass, I was afforded the opportunity to do a larger improvisation than I do at the Monday Novena Masses.  It was SO nice to have more time to flesh out the ideas, where as the Monday Novenas are an exercise in getting as much in there as quickly as possible.  The text of the chant comes from Acts 2 (not Psalm 15) and says:

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

My idea was to recreate that impression with a “path” and the presence of God through the numerous voices.  Next time, I may explore an idea such as that through form.  I kept the form rather simple (ABA1), as there isn’t always time to do larger forms.  And frankly, the textures offered enough exploration.