Singing Psalms is a fresh resource for use within worship in the Church of Ireland. Subtitled Responsorial Psalms set to Simple Chant – Year B, it consists of all the psalms contained within the Revised Common Lectionary.  

The Response in each case is a verse (or part of a verse) chosen from within the psalm of the day, sung in unison and interspersed with pairs of verses set to simple chant – basically, a note which is held until the end of each line, when it changes to another note (hence slightly simpler than Anglican chant). The chant may be sung by Cantor, Choir, or indeed Congregation, with everyone joining in the Response. Only the musicians need the music: the congregation follows the text of the Psalter in the Book of Common Prayer. 

The composers are Alison Cadden & Peter Thompson, both members of the Liturgical Advisory Committee. Alison is a music teacher in Portadown, while Peter is Rector of St Michael’s, Castlecaulfield. Their hope is that the passion expressed in the poetry of the Psalms will be enhanced by the music in Singing Psalms.