San Diego Episcopal Cursillo

San Diego Episcopal Cursillo

Music Guidelines

From theS.D Episcopal Cursillo Secretariat

1. The Purpose of Music and Song in the Cursillo Movement

The purpose of Music and Song in the Cursillo Movement is to provide an avenue for the participants to utilize their God given talents for music and song, and raise a joyful noise, in worship, to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Music and Song at Cursillo Events supports our Liturgy, our praise to God, and binds us together in building a spiritual and Christ centered community.

1. The Role of the Music Leader in Cursillo

The role of the Music Leader is that of a Worship Leader. A Worship Leader led by the Holy Spirit, combines biblical truth with music and song, and makes sure that God’s word is sung, proclaimed, explained, and treasured so that God is lifted up in everyone’s hearts, minds, and souls.On the practical side, the Music Leader:

2.1Should be proficient enough on his/her instrument to not be distracted from the main focus of leading others in song.

2.2Could be a strong singer, and with strong musical back-up, lead the group.

2.3 Should be able to organize music in advance of the need, and remain flexible as unexpected needs arise.

2.4Should be able to express, and inspire others, with the joy of the Lord in song.

1. Complexity of the Music and Song

To provide for the most comfortable and engaging music and song for the widest participation, the music should be simple and easy to play, and to sing:

3.1With simple chording structures. Not a lot of quick, complicated, and unnecessary chord changes.

3.2With familiar keys and chords.

3.3In a singable key – not too high or too low.

3.4By choosing songs from the Cursillo Songbook for group singing.

3.5By singing each song several times during the weekend so they are familiar to the New Cursillistas by Sunday afternoon.

The reasons to keep the Music and Songs simple and easy are:

3.6More musicians and singers are able to participate if the skill level required is not too difficult.

3.7It accommodates a larger number of musicians and instruments.

3.8It requires less rehearsal to produce a good sound.

3.9It encourages beginners to join in, try out, and improve their musical skills.

1. Guidelines for Musicians at Ultreyas

All musicians are welcome at Ultreyas. The chosen Music Leader needs to beprepared and flexiblefor other musicians showing up at the last moment. Specifically welcome them and invite them tocome forward with the other musicians. Clearly, everyone needs to have the same music and chordsfor each song. Even if insufficient microphones are available, all musicians can line up andparticipate, whether with instruments, voices, or both. Other musicians naturally will follow the leadof the MusicLeader. The songs chosen will be from the Cursillo songbook.Ideally, any musicians who come to the Ultreya need to use the latest Cursillo musicians' song bookwith the music and/or chords appropriate for each song. The musicians song book is not the one givento candidates on the weekend.The MusicLeader follows the direction of the master of ceremonies or Ultreya coordinator, includingthe number and timing of the songs. A song can be requested by each speaker. The MusicLeaderneeds to check with each speaker before his part of the agenda.

1. Guidelines for Musicians at the Day of Deeper Understanding (DODU)

Preferably, the Head Musician from the previous Cursillo weekend should be the Music Leader at theDODU. The Music Leader will choose the other musicians to participate at the DODU. Normally,all those musicians on the previous weekend will be invited to the DODU. Other musicians are alsowelcome. The songs selected will be those from the weekend. The reasons for these musicians, is thatthe DODU is the first group reunion after the weekend,and continuity with the previous weekend isneeded. The songs need to be familiar to the new Cursillistas. And the weekend musicians have asense of the mood of the new Cursillistas as well. Also songs for each talk can be selected by thespeaker if desired. It is not necessary to do so. The Music Leader will check with each speakerbefore his part of the agenda.

1. Guidelines for Musicians for the Cursillo Weekend

The Music Leader (Head Musician) for the Cursillo Weekend is selected by the Weekend Rector/Rectora, and is a member of the Weekend Core Team. The Head Musician will help the Rector/Rectora select the Assistant Rollo Room Musicians and the Kitchen Musician. The Head Musician will attend the Team Training Days and organize the music and song selections, to practice the music and songs prior to the weekend. The Music and Songs to be prepared for the Rollo Room on the weekend include:

6.1Thursday- Commissioning Service-Coordinated with Priest in charge

6.2Friday – Sunday – Gathering Songs in Rollo Room prior to Kitchen Team entry into Rollo Room with Rollista.

6.3A song before each Rollo, chosen by the Rollista.

6.4Friday – Sunday – Music at meditations if requested.

6.5Instructed Eucharist – Service music, and music for sequence hymn, offertory, etc. as requested by Priests.

6.6Friday Evening – Background music during foot-washing. This is a place to use other music that fits the occasion.

6.7Saturday Evening –Music for Agape Meal Eucharist. Help with skits, talent, or entertainment as needed for any particular weekend.

6.8Sunday – Mananitas: Joyful “morning”songs to sing while team distributes flowers.

6.9Sunday – Open Clausura: Gathering music, service music, sequence hymn, offertory, communion songs, in coordination with the Priest in charge.

6.10Preparation for the Kitchen Musician

6.10.1Thursday evening- Music if requested by the Rector/Rectora , Good Night Sponsors.

6.10.2Daily - Morning Eucharist songs and service music.

6.10.3Friday – Sunday: Accompany Kitchen Team as they bring each Rollista into the Rollo Room.

6.10.4Friday – Sunday: Play and Sing in Dining Hall as Rollo Room enters.

6.10.5Participate in Mananitas , Open Clausura, and other times when teams are together for special events.

1. Conclusion

The Music and Songs on the Cursillo Weekend are a very important part of the flow, the spirit ,and the message of the Weekend. Music and Song are integral parts of the spiritual ambiance of the Weekend, and should receive close attention and care in the selection, preparation, practice, playing and singing. Raising a joyful noise to the Lord through our Music and Songs, and doing it the best we can, is one way to show our love for our Lord, our candidates, and for each other.

1. Rollo Song List

These songs have been chosen as appropriate for each rollo. This list is by no means exhaustive, nor does it mean that a song listed under one Rollo can't be used for another. This list is meant to be a guide:

IDEAL: Jesus My Lord, This is the Day

GRACE: Hymn to Joy, Jesus My Lord, Blessed Assurance, Amazing Grace, Grace Alone

LAITY: This Little Light, Lord, Be Glorified, Be My Body, Fear Not, For I Have. .

FAITH: Abba! Father, Lord, Be Glorified, Seek Ye First

PIETY: How Great Thou Art, Come to the Water, Our God Reigns, Glorify Thy Name,Just a Closer Walk, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

STUDY: Open Our Eyes, Come and See, I Am the Resurrection, Thy Word is a Lamp unto My Feet

SACRAMENTS: God and Man at Table, Isaiah 49, Come to the Water, Take Our Bread

ACTION: Prayer of St. Francis, Be My Body, Pass It On, I Am the Light, Pass My Love Around,Here I Am, Lord

OBSTACLES: Just As I Am, Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, Freely, Freely, Standing in the Needof Prayer

LEADERS: The Servant Song, Prayer of St. Francis, Special People, Be My Body, Here I Am, Lord

ENVIRONMENTS: Jesus My Lord, Alleluia, He is Coming, Wind, Wind, Kyrie Eleison,Fear Not, For I Have . .

LIFE IN GRACE: Just As I Am, Just a Closer Walk, Alleluia, He Is Coming, Peace isFlowing . . ., Peace Like a River, Our God Reigns

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN ACTION: Wind, Wind, Prayer of St. Francis, Pass My LoveAround, Pass It On, They Will Know, Bind Us Together

GROUP REUNION: Special People, Bind Us Together, Peace is flowing

ULTREYA: Just a Closer Walk, I Have Decided, Be My Body, Here I Am, Lord

1. Cursillo #129 Weekend Schedule with Typical Music Selections

The following weekend schedule with overlayed music selections is intended as a guide only,and was used on Cursillo Weekend #129. This Rollo Room Musicians Schedule puts the details listed in Paragraph # 6 above in context with the Master CursilloWeekend Schedule, and the timing of events on that weekend.