I want to draw your attention to a wonderful, new, and free worship resource and music tool called Cloud Hymnal. Cloud Hymnal is provided by St Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale (full disclosure: I belong), and is the brainchild of the Chapel\u2019s Director of Music, Richard Gard. We have been using Cloud Hymnal in the choir for some weeks now, and I have become a believer.<\/p>\n
Cloud Hymnal is a multifaceted worship resource that includes, for example, an ever-growing library of new and old sacred music. Some music is newly composed by the Center for Music and Liturgy at St Thomas More, and some music is newly contributed by other members of the Cloud Hymnal. Additionally, there are 25,000 public domain sacred works offered. The music is easily searched and then shared online or printed.<\/p>\n
Moreover, Cloud Hymnal is also a Scripture resource, including Lectionary readings, with Mass Propers and Scripture found by date. The readings can be shared online or printed.<\/p>\n
Finally, Cloud Hymnal is an ever-expanding community, since anyone can create a community of people, any number of people, even just 1 or 2 people. Communities are able to add their favorite music or prayers, then create Liturgy Lists to share the worship they have planned.<\/p>\n
Cloud Hymnal can be used in a multitude of ways. You can, for example, create a Sunday Mass, a bereavement liturgy, a prayer service, or vocal warm-up exercises, simply by adding elements to a Liturgy List. Elements can come from the Cloud Hymnal itself, e.g., sacred music, lectionary readings, or any item (in PDF) you choose to upload. The Liturgy List you create will appear on your Community\u2019s home page. Members of your community have access to it immediately. Liturgy Lists are easily printed, complete with a cover and content table formatted as a personalized booklet. Moreover, members of your community can read, sing, practice, hear, or print the liturgy before the actual meeting time, form anywhere, anytime. Members can use a smart phone, tablet, or printed copy during the actual worship service or meeting. Last not least, members can \u201cfavorite\u201d elements of the liturgy and revisit any song, text, or prayer after the meeting.<\/p>\n
Everything is shared in Cloud Hymnal, including the liturgy lists, music, or prayers that any member uses. A liturgy you are planning may already be created and ready to use, or you might create a liturgy or share a song that is enjoyed by thousands of other worshippers.<\/p>\n
Cloud Hymnal offers a Practice Room where you can learn individual choral parts, hear the accompaniment and sing along, change the tempo, or focus on one harmony. The Practice Room includes the ability to hear you sing and guide you, note by note, to learn any song or harmony.<\/p>\n