Contact: Erin McClellan, OCP, 503-460-5363, erinm@ocp.org

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct, 31, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Catholic communities across the U.S. will receive OCP's latest music resource: Choral Praise, Third Edition, released today to coincide with the coming Advent season.

Offering choral arrangements of nine Mass settings -- including a bilingual Mass -- and over 570 songs, Choral Praise, Third Edition caters to parishes with both large and small choirs.

"The arrangements used in Choral Praise, Third Edition were edited with the needs of today's choirs in mind -- simple harmonies for parishes with a limited number of voices, three parts for those who don't have enough male voices in their volunteer ensemble and traditional hymns are written for SATB voices," says OCP Director of Music and Outreach Eric Schumock. "The choir is meant to support the assembly in song, and that's exactly what we've designed the book to do."

Following a long line of Choral Praise resources (the first edition published in 1982) Choral Praise, Third Edition contains full music settings of each Psalm in every OCP missal program, music arranged specifically for celebrations like RCIA, weddings, anointing of the sick, funerals, benedictions and 9 Mass settings approved by the Bishop's Committee on Divine Worship.

"The nine Mass settings in Choral Praise, Third Edition are intended to appeal to all worship communities regardless of their celebration style or congregation size," says Randall DeBruyn, editor.  To accomplish this, there's a wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary, from gospel to Latin chant. In addition, the Psalter provides the choral parts for the contemporary Psalms. Finally, the repertoire includes the most-loved songs -- from all the major publishers -- to the most-used traditional hymns."

Since announcing the product in early summer 2012, OCP has recorded thousands pre-orders. Those churches that have already purchased Choral Praise, Third Edition can expect their books in time of Advent choir practice.

To learn more about Choral Praise, Third Edition visit ocp.org/CP3. For press inquiries or to review a sample, please contact Erin McClellan, erinm@ocp.org.  

About OCP
OCP, a not-for-profit publisher of liturgical music and worship resources based in Portland, Oregon, has been in operation for more than 90 years. Worship programs produced by OCP are used in more than two-thirds of Catholic churches in the United States and are distributed worldwide. More information is available at 1-800-LITURGY (548-8749) and ocp.org. Find OCP on Facebook at facebook.com/OCPmusic.