A Communion setting for the Book of Common Prayer (2019)
The All Souls Mass (whose full title is Music for Holy Communion: “All Souls Mass”) is a plainsong Communion setting based on the language of the Book of Common Prayer (2019). Inspired by settings like those of John Merbecke and Dr. David Hurd, this piece was written to be a simple and accessible way for churches to sing the liturgy in the exact wording of the prayerbook.
While the performance above is done with an organ and small choir, the All Souls Mass can be sung with a piano, a guitar, or even a cappella. It is named in honor of my parish, where it is sung weekly with piano accompaniment.
Many thanks are owed to our musicians, Abby Brewer, Ally Yablonski, Jim Gatch, and Tristan Robinson (left to right), and the videography team, Palm Brothers Media.
I also wish to thank Fr. Josh Fink for his support as this piece was written and introduced to our congregation, and Dr. David Hurd for his invaluable feedback and encouragement during the composition process.