Modern Traditional

There are many different styles of music used in churches for Mass.  The Church considers Gregorian Chant (also know as plainsong) to be first among equals and recommends that every Catholic should be familiar with the simpler parts.  If you've ever sung the Great Amen after the priest sings "Through him and with him and in him…" then you've chanted!

As for other styles, we tend to be familiar with classic 'Songs of Praise' style hymns, most of which come from England, and folk group songs which more often than not are American.

But we're very fortunate in Ireland to have access not only to these styles but to our own Irish musical tradition.  And in recent years a lot of excellent new music for worship has been written in this style.  One of the best composers is Ronan McDonagh who leads choirs in Dublin.  He describes his pieces as being inspired by sean-nos singing, plainsong, polyphonic choral music and traditional Irish instrumental  music.  Here are some of his pieces:

"Seinn Alleluia"

"Behold a Virgin bearing Him"

"Sing a new song to the Lord"