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Ask Ambrose

Dear Ambrose: Inclusive Language

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on November 14, 2019December 30, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

Dear Ambrose: Over the years I have heard the terms “inclusive language” and “expansive language.” What is the difference? #mystified Dear Mystified:  The short answer is this:  Inclusive language refers to humanity and expansive language refers to God.  The School of Theology at […]

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Dear Ambrose: Rite I Music in a Rite 2 Service

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on October 18, 2019December 30, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

Dear Ambrose:  Is it OK to use Rite I service music at a Rite II service?             #Ilovewillan Dear #ILoveWillan: The short answer is “yes.” You probably already do this without noticing if you are using […]

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Dear Ambrose: Or Other Songs of Praise

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on August 15, 2019December 30, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

My congregation has sung the same Gloria for years. I would like to introduce something other than a Gloria. Do you have any suggestions? The Book of Common Prayer gives us the option of singing a Kyrie […]

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Ask Ambrose: Keeping the Easter Feast

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on April 26, 2019December 30, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

Dear Ambrose: The Easter Day services at my church were glorious. I understand that Easter lasts for fifty days. How can we keep the Easter feast?        Singing Alleluias! Dear Singing, You are right! Easter lasts […]

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Dear Ambrose: Music for Footwashing

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on April 4, 2019December 30, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

We are having a foot washing at my parish on Maundy Thursday. What can we sing here?                                                                                                 Signed, Stumped Dear Stumped: It is traditional in most churches to do a Foot Washing […]

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Dear Ambrose: Tips for Lectors

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on March 28, 2019December 30, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

 I have a difficult time hearing the readings at my parish.  This is not because I’m deaf!  The readers read too quickly and sometimes the sound is distorted by the microphone.  Any suggestions? – Frustrated […]

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Dear Ambrose: Singing the Creed

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on March 20, 2019December 30, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

Reciting the Nicene Creed each week has become very rote-like, just checking off a set of beliefs. Is singing the Creed an option? Bored Dear Bored:  The short answer is YES. Singing the Creed can […]

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Dear Ambrose: I realize that Sundays are not a part of Lent. Should I be doing anything different for our Lenten liturgies? Signed, Curious

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on February 20, 2019February 20, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

Dear Curious, You are correct!  Sundays are always a celebration of the resurrection and are in Lent.  They are not of Lent.  However, the only experience many of our parishioners have of Lent is in […]

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Dear Ambrose: I have been hearing about Eucharistic Prayers using expansive language. What is this about?

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on January 27, 2019January 27, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

Our prayer shapes us. The work of the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music is for the sake of the Church’s formation in the mind of Christ as we make our prayer to God in […]

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Ask Ambrose: Themes in Epiphany

  • by liturgyandmusic
  • Posted on January 17, 2019December 30, 2019
  • Ask Ambrose

Dear Ambrose:  I realize that Epiphany is not really a season, as such. What are some of the themes in this time? I’m thinking primarily of hymns and anthems. Signed, Confused Dear Confused: You are right that these Sundays […]

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Testimonials

At the Raising the Song Symposium, participants were taught in a masterclass format—meaning, we had to get up and lead singing in front of a room full of professional musicians and then get feedback from our peers and the clinicians. This was terrifying for a keyboard musician like me! The environment, however, was so supportive and the clinicians so helpful and affirming, that it was absolutely a wonderful experience. I felt really empowered to step away from the organ and lead singing with just my voice and body.

- Jessica Nelson, Organist and Choir Master, All Saints' Episcopal Church, Tupelo, MS

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