tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746683755067841448.post2270081248597467340..comments2023-09-28T07:28:03.904-07:00Comments on Hinc Videndum: The Power of Music in the ChurchWeb Scribehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08555991664318191365noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1746683755067841448.post-57557302487954297112008-03-18T14:04:00.000-07:002008-03-18T14:04:00.000-07:00Well Mr. Howard, another fine blog. Dr. Jay’s exce...Well Mr. Howard, another fine blog. Dr. Jay’s excellent homily clearly reinforces music as one of the foundation stones of worship. <BR/><BR/>Recently St James conducted a survey about music in the parish. The results contained many comments that I would have expected. However one comment has stuck in my mind. I do not have the exact wording but it indicated that there is a significant divide between the choir and the congregation. My time at St James has been almost equally spent ‘in’ and ‘not in’ the choir. I have come to know people on both sides of the chancel arch and find the idea of a disconnect very saddening. While this comment may be from only a few voices in the entire parish, it does challenge us to think about that musical foundation stone and the way we build upon it.<BR/><BR/>For me being a member of a church choir is about worship. Worship through singing, speaking and listening, all parts of a direct communication with God. I once told a pastor who was chanting his first service that he was just singing to ‘the big guy’ who would appreciate the effort and understand any mistakes. The congregation was just friends supporting the cause. <BR/><BR/>To take this one step farther, I wonder why some of us are frightened to put more passion in how we do it. Yah, I know that you have to remember the tune and keep the beat to muddle through the words, but OH those words. As Jay emphasized in his sermon, the words are the important thing, without them we are either clanging cymbals or ranting lions. With them the music becomes our part of the dialogue. Is it not appropriate to express our passion for who we are talking to? Some music directors I have known believe that psalms and responses should be done with minimal expression. How is this possible if they ever read the WORDS? I have learned to appreciate the psalms from people like Ian Sadler, Giles Bryant and my good friend Gerald Burgess all of whom simply wanted to use the music to express the words. That way of thinking has spread into my approach to hymns, anthems and the rest. <BR/><BR/>So what is the point of all this. TWO THINGS. <BR/><BR/>Being in a church choir is not about the ability to sing it is about the desire to sing to God. Choir just gives you more chances to do it and who would not want that? For those who feel a divide I would suggest that we are all part of one big choir regardless of which side of the arch you sit on. If you do not believe me, a few Sunday morning visits to the choir stalls might dispel you concerns. You would be most welcome. <BR/><BR/>The second is to sing with a passion. I have been very lucky to have had some very good mentors in this regard. However all of us at St James are extremely fortunate to have a musical director who exudes passion not only for the music but the worship as well. Sandra plants the seeds of passion for music in everyone that is willing to give it a trymackie100https://www.blogger.com/profile/12273074806550853996noreply@blogger.com