Assessment

Technical Assignments 50% + Compositional Portfolio 50%

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to develop learners’ compositional skills, focusing primarily on setting liturgical texts to music. Learners are initiated into the art of liturgical composition via models from the historical and the more recent heritage of Christian liturgical music. The technical side of the module introduces the principles of four-part writing and basic counterpoint via the music of J. S. Bach, while the compositional portfolio focuses on melody writing, foundational harmony and the setting of vernacular hymn and psalm texts.

Indicative Syllabus

• Fundamental Principles: Music and the Word
• Melody writing
• The principles of hymn composition
• Responsorial Psalmody: Psalm Tone and Through-Composed Approaches
• Bach Chorale Writing
• The Principles of Counterpoint
• Rhythm and text-accent in the declamation of liturgical texts
• Introduction to computer-based Sibelius/Finale music programmes

Learning Outcomes

• — LO1: Present their ideas in a clear, musically intelligible format.
• — LO2: Situate their own compositions along a stylistic line of liturgical music composition.
• — LO3: Write with some fluency in the four-part style of Bach.
• — LO4: Complete short compositions following the principles of eighteenth-century two-part counterpoint.
• — LO5: Engage confidently as a composer with basic psalmodic and hymn-type structures.
• — LO6: Demonstrate a basic working knowledge of computer-based publishing programmes such as Sibelius or Finale.

Bibliography

• — Daly, Margaret, Alleluia! Amen! (Dublin: Veritas, 1978).
• — Gelineau, Joseph, 24 Psalms and a Canticle, (Chicago: Gregorian Institute of America, 1955).
• — Guimont, Michael, Lectionary Psalms, (Chicago: Gregorian Institute of America, 2012).
• — Killeen, Patrick, Sing a New Psalm(Cork: Upbeat Publications, 2009)
• — O’Keeffe, John, Ed., Feasts and Seasons (Volumes 1 and 2) (Maynooth, 2003, 2018)
• — McDonagh, Ronan, Ancient Promise (Published by the author, 2009)
• — Ruff, Anthony, Responsorial Psalms for Weekday Mass (Collegeville:The Liturgical Press, 2008)
• — Threadgold, Jerry, Ed., The Veritas Hymnal. (Dublin: Veritas, 1973)