In June, the Diocesan Office for Worship and the Catechumenate and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception sponsored a study day on the new English translation of the Roman Missal for music and choir directors from parishes, schools and other Catholic institutions. The day was meant to assist music and choir directors who choose music for the assemblies.

At the conference, those in attendance heard that not all changes will be significant — for example there will be minor wording adjustments in the Sanctus or Holy Holy — but there will be major revisions of the Gloria. All versions of the Memorial Acclamation or Mystery of Faith will also be changed and the most familiar "Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again" will be entirely replaced with new text.

Charles Gardner, director of liturgical music and executive director for Spiritual Life and Worship for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, was the presenter at the June diocesan study day. Gardner, who is well known as a music leader, was quoted in an article posted on Catholic News Service as saying: "The thing that's on most people's minds — rank-and-file music directors — is how to adapt to new texts, especially for things like the Glory to God (Gloria), which is essentially the most heavily changed from the one we've been using for many, many years."

Nichol DelGiorno, associate director for music in Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and director of liturgy and music at Cathedral, said music directors have had different reactions to the changes. "The response from the diocesan musicians to the new translation of the Roman Missal has ranged from anticipation to trepidation," she said.

"It is completely natural to feel somewhat resistant to or anxious about change," she said. "Those who have taken advantage of workshops on the new translation, such as the June Study Day or any one of the NPM (National Association of Pastoral Musicians) sessions, have overcome any anxiety that they may have felt and are welcoming the changes."

Debbie Miller, music director and parish secretary at St. Louis Parish in Nokomis, was at the June conference, but had already been preparing for the changes for quite some time. "I jump on things pretty early," she said. "I had my music as soon as they said what it was going to be."

In fact, Miller has already taken on a teaching part in one parish workshop held by her pastor, Father Dan Willenborg. "We had three classes held one time a week after Mass. Father taught the first class on the Liturgy of the Word, I taught the second on the music and Father taught the third on the Liturgy of the Eucharist," she said. "We'll be offering that workshop again.

"With the choir, we've been talking about the changes and we've been practicing," Miller said. "Now, during Sunday Mass the organist has been playing new music while the rest of the choir goes to Communion. That's just so they can get the music into their heads."

DelGiorno has also been working on the changes for quite a while. "Preparations at Cathedral have been under way for over a year," she said. "I have researched over 90 revised and new Mass settings and, in consultation with clergy and musicians in our diocese and across the U.S., chosen settings for use at diocesan and Cathedral parish liturgies.

"Special consideration has been given to the selection of music for school Masses, weddings and funerals," DelGiorno said. "In choosing music for liturgies, it is important to select music that will encourage, not hinder, participation."

For many music leaders, teaching the much-changed Gloria will necessitate some special arrangements. Although the first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year, it means putting off singing the Gloria, which is always omitted during Advent, except on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, points out Father Kevin Laughery, pastor of St. Mary in New Berlin, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Alexander, Sacred Heart in Franklin and St. Sebastian in Waverly.

Publishers have prepared both new and revised settings, leaving it up to parish leaders to decide among them. "It is kind of overwhelming now for the music directors," said Father Laughery, adding that many people naturally want to be prepared for the changes far in advance of Advent. "In fact, I think we're going to start practicing this weekend (the first in September)."

"The important thing is to make it as seamless or painless as possible for the people," said Kim Higgins, co-administrator of music (with Pat Snider) at Forty Martyrs Parish in Tuscola and St. John the Baptist in Arcola. "Really, we are still in the planning stages and we have our music ordered.

"We decided to start with the Mass of Creation because people know most of it. Of course, we're going to teach a new Gloria for Christmas and try to ease into it with the Masses that people are familiar with," said Higgins. "We'll do the best we can."