Description
Mass of St Patrick was written for Fr Gregory Grant, the musicians and congregation of St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Redfield, Bristol for the consecration of their new church in 2005. Following the revision of the Roman Missal in 2010, only certain sections of the Mass continued to be used. Over time the Mass has been sung by Church of England parishes around the UK so during the six months of lockdown in 2020 I sat down to revise and complete two new editions.
My aim was to write a lively, easily learnt setting of the Mass that could be sung by unison voices with descants to occupy enthusiastic sopranos (and altos!). The accompaniments are straightforward and can be played on the organ, piano or guitar. The Mass will work equally well with just a handful of singers and a few instrumentalists or a full ensemble depending on whoever is available. All of the movements can also be sung unaccompanied.
The piece is registered with One Licence and CCLI so if you have either or both of those licences please report it when you use the Mass in your worship.
I hope you enjoy singing this Mass, don’t be afraid to give the piece an Irish lilt with plenty of verve and energy. Try to capture the dance character of the music rather than making it too slow and stuffy. Start singing the melodies alone and then once the congregation are familiar with them gradually add the instrumental parts and descants.
This new version is dedicated to the memory of Lesley Lee, who sang and played tenor horn in the premiere in St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in 2005.
