The Language of Music
Music is a universal language. It crosses cultural and generational lines; it speaks what words often cannot express. Music is the language of faith; with it we celebrate a God who is beyond naming, beyond describing, beyond grasping. And it does so in a manner which fully engages the heart, the mind, the being and the spirit of each of us.
Music is pervasive to all the areas of our believing, learning and growing. In selecting the music for BLEST ARE WE, much emphasis was given to the following—
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theological integrity of the text
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singability of the music
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appeal to each particular age group;
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thematic and topical suitability to each unit, and
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universal appeal to the entire parish family.
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Music is vital. Instruction that makes use of the senses is more inviting and effective. And experiential learning holds attention, commands participation and evokes a response, which is optimally enduring for those who participate.
The goal of this series is to provide music for catechists that…
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captures their attention and invites their participation,
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connects them to a wealth of tradition born of the generations before them,
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includes them in the faith expressions of the broader parish family,
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invites the broader parish family to share in their stable of songs, and
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provides an emerging tradition for the generations who will follow.
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The lines between age groups are intentionally blurred. We are ONE family of God, growing and praying and serving and learning and living our faith together.
Growing in faith is not only the business of children. The sacramental journey does not end with Confirmation. The fullness of active participation has merely begun. There is no need for music to be restricted to "kiddie songs" or exclusive of "adult songs." Our songs need to reflect the broader collection of the wealth that we share for every age and in every age. We grow together as family into our ever-deepening, constantly emerging tradition.
Each unit of the children’s books for BLEST ARE WE includes a music selection corresponding to the unit theme. The music takes the form of traditional hymns, contemporary music, chants, and acclamations. For example, some of the grade six selections are based on Scripture and the Jewish tradition and their link to African spirituals. The Catechist Guides contain specific songs and references on the At-a-Glance Planner.
CATECHESIS AND LITURGY
It is important to note that during liturgical celebrations, the use of recorded music is not permissible. The following quote is from our US Bishops. "The liturgy is a complexus of signs expressed by living human beings. Music, being preeminent among those signs, ought to be "live." While recorded music, therefore, might be used to advantage outside the liturgy as an aid in the teaching of new music, it should, as a general norm, never be used within the liturgy to replace the congregation, the choir, the organist or other instrumentalists." (Liturgical Music Today, #60)
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
Complete track listings are available here.
BLEST ARE WE CD
Full set CDs 1-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36658-1
BLEST ARE WE CD, Level K
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36568-2
Track Listing
BLEST ARE WE CD 1
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36652-2
Track Listing
BLEST ARE WE CD 2
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36653-0
Track Listing
BLEST ARE WE CD 3
ORDER NUMBER:0-382-36654-9
Track Listing
BLEST ARE WE CD 4
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36655-7
Track Listing
BLEST ARE WE CD 5
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36656-5
Track Listing
BLEST ARE WE CD 6
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36657-3
Track Listing
BLEST ARE WE CD 7-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9
Track Listing
Available in Print:
BLEST ARE WE Song Book
Words and melody for grade levels 1-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4
BLEST ARE WE Accompaniment Book
Contains accompaniment music for grade levels 1-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2
Gifts for a Lifetime Music CD
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36113-X
Gifts for a Lifetime Song Book
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36103-2
Gifts for a Lifetime Accompaniment Book
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36104-0
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