Orchestral Masses at SMG

Orchestral Masses at SMG

By Marco Melendez, Director of Music

Beginning this month, the SMG Music Ministry will feature an orchestral setting of the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus & Benedictus, and Agnus Dei) on a monthly basis (at the 11:00 am Sunday Mass) through the month of June.

Throughout the centuries, Catholic liturgical music has taken many forms, most notably through the use of Gregorian chant and choral polyphony. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries however, many composers, such as Franz Schubert, Franz Joseph Haydn, his younger brother Johann Michael Haydn, and the infamous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, created musical works of art that “served to arouse the worshiper to devotion” (Gradus ad parnassum, J.J. Fux, 1742)

We are both honored and thankful to an anonymous donor who has come forth to sponsor these orchestral liturgies. Soli Deo gratias! (To God alone be the glory!)

Schedule of Orchestral Mass (Sundays at 11 a.m.)

• February 27 - 8th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Mozart: Missa brevis in Bb Major, KV275
• March 27 - Laetare Sunday - 4th Sunday of Lent - Mozart: Missa brevis in dm, KV65
• April 17 - Easter Sunday - Mozart: Missa brevis in FM, KV192 (Kleine Credomesse)
• May 15 - 5th Sunday of Easter - Haydn: Missa brevis St. Joannis de Deo
• June 5 - Pentecost Sunday - Mozart: Missa brevis in GM, KV140 (Pastoral Messe)

See our full Mass & Liturgical Schedule