Communion Service in C: The Hatfield Service

Hatfield Parish Church from the northwest

Communion Service in C major:

The Hatfield Service (revised edition, 2008)

This work, dedicated to the Reverend Paul Wilson, the Reverend George Beckett and the congregation and choir of Saint Lawrence’s Church, Hatfield, Yorkshire, is an easy and tuneful setting for unison voices of texts in contemporary language from Common Worship. It is designed for congregational use and, though the accompaniment is intended for organ with pedals, it can be performed on manuals alone or on the piano. The setting features:

simple and predominantly diatonic vocal lines of relatively small compass (a major ninth), suitable for all voices;
simple and predominantly diatonic accompaniments of strong harmonic basis that give maximum support to the singers;
introductions and interludes that either lead melodically to the first note of the vocal part or phrase or strongly imply the starting note by harmonic progression;

musical items that are all linked thematically (the Gloria was the first item to be composed and all other items spring thematically from it, giving the setting a unity of character and making it very easy to learn).

In the revised edition all the ‘singable’ portions of the service text are set to music and minor improvements have been made to items that appeared in the original version.

The full score is in A4 format. A separate vocal part is also available. Both are engraved to a high standard using Sibelius 4. To view sample pages please visit the publisher’s web site.

This sturdy, harmonically sound setting would make a good alternative to such stalwarts as Dom Gregory Murray’s New People’s Mass. This revised edition includes settings of the various acclamations and forms of dismissal, together with the alternative form of words of the Agnus Dei. Somewhat in the manner of a Renaissance mass setting, The Hatfield Service employs a ‘head motif’ that appears in different guises at the start of almost every movement. This, together with other recurring material, imparts a sense of unity to the setting, while also making it easy for a congregation to learn.

Christopher Maxim in Church Music Quarterly

The Hatfield Service is available from the publisher:

Mallard Music

19 Mallard Drive, Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, NN15 5TG

Tel: 01536 725186

Web site: http://www.duckmusic.free-online.co.uk/mallard/

CONTENTS

· Index

· Personal Details

· Published Compositions and Arrangements

· Other Compositions and Arrangements

· Kirklees Cathedral Music