Introit

What it means

The Introit (Latin introitus) is the opening chant of the Mass; it sounds for the entrance. It is built from an antiphon, a psalm verse, and the repetition of the antiphon. Unlike the parts of the Ordinary, whose text stays the same at every Mass, the Introit belongs to the Proper: its text changes with the day of the church year, and it gives the respective Sunday or feast its character. Many Sundays bear to this day names that derive from the opening word of their Introit.

Musical use

In the monophonic transmission, Introits are of medium length and moderately ornamented — not as plain as a psalm recitation, but not as melisma-rich as a Gradual. Polyphonic settings take up the texts, especially in the Renaissance, and in the Protestant tradition entrance chants of their own arose. For performance practice the three-part layout is important: it allows the length to be adapted to the entrance by extending or shortening the psalm verse. The Introit is thus an example of music that follows a liturgical procedure in time.

Performance practice

Settle before the service how long the entrance lasts, and plan psalm verses accordingly; better to prepare one verse more than to have to break off. Shape the antiphon from the text and keep the psalm verses in the plain reciting tone so that the difference stays audible. Watch for a calm, closed sound without vibrato and for shared breathing places. Choose a comfortable pitch, since the notation gives no absolute register, and allow for the reverberation of the room.

Bear in mind that the Introit as part of the Proper changes from day to day: the selection follows the church year and not taste. Check the liturgical book and settle the assignment with the leader of the service. For practice the three-part layout is useful, because the length can be adapted to the entrance through the number of psalm verses. Settle beforehand whether the Introit is sung with psalm verse and Gloria Patri or shortened. Choose a comfortable pitch and breathe together.