Tag Archives: singing

Helping Your Congregation Sing

Sometimes church musicians get so caught up with making music, whether that be choral or instrumental, that they neglect or minimize (often unintentionally) their primary responsibility — leading and encouraging the people’s song in psalmody, liturgy, and hymnody.  I remember being told (by my father no less) that while I might be able to play a very nice prelude, I should strive to be a good leader of hymn singing.

Mark Lawson, president of MorningStar Music, reflects on the importance of congregational song to Richard Proulx and Richard Hillert in the March edition of their e-newsletter.  Special thanks to MorningStar Music for granting permission to post this article.

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The Concordia Organist

I received an e-mail today from CPH that startled me even though I “knew” their new product would be coming eventually.

Wanted: One Outstanding Church Organist.
Music adds much to our worship, but musicians can be hard to find. Well, look no further.

The reality is that many churches have a difficult time finding an organist or even someone who can play the piano for worship services. Enter CPH. They have created Concordia Organist, a 31-CD set of all the hymns in LSB which can be used to accompany hymn singing. CPH is having an “essay” contest (though the Official Rules say it will be a random drawing) to give away a free copy of the Concordia Organist (retail value: $699 with an introductory price of $499) to a LCMS or LCC congregation.

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Singing Advice from Luther

Luther\'s Liturgical MusicI have just started reading Luther’s Liturgical Music by Robin Leaver. While I’ve only finished the second chapter, I sense this will be a very in depth but readable study of Luther and music. Chapter Two focused on how music was a central part of Luther’s life from a very young age until his death and how he was surrounded by accomplished musicians. Leaver “sought to demonstrate that Luther’s musicianship was anything but superficial and is the essential starting-point for any discussion of his musical understanding of theology or of his liturgical use of music” (pg. 63)

And after reading this chapter, what do I remember? This practical bit of advice from Luther regarding the starting pitch of a song: “No one should try to sing such a song in a higher key, for he will surely become hoarse and make a botch of it before he reaches five notes.” Thus saith Luther.

Let God’s Children Sing

Over at Cranach, Gene Edward Veith has a discussion on children and the music they sing in worship — solid hymnody and liturgy vs. “cutesey wootsey” music.St Paul Children’s Choir

It is a high responsibility to choose the music we place into the mouth of God’s people – whether children or adult. These songs should not be trite or cute, nor filler or fluff. The church’s song should be a faithful proclamation and preaching of the Word. No less should be tolerated.

I remember as a child singing Page 15 and Vespers from The Lutheran Hymnal and liked singing it although I didn’t understand everything. As a teenager, youth (that meant me) were supposed to be “in to” Contemporary Christian Music. I shortly gave that up and turned more and more to TLH because the hymnody had more content and was more relevant to me.

While I don’t have any children of my own, it is a joy to hear the voices of children sing the hymns of the faith and the liturgy, and belt out the Creed and Lord’s Prayer. Whether or not they know it, the children are learning what they need to know and who they are. It is the privilege of pastors, parish musicians, and the congregation to nurture this growth through hymnody and liturgy. In reality, though, it is really God doing all the work.

A great resource for teaching children hymns and personal enjoyment is the four CD set by the Children’s Choir of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ft Wayne, IN. The choir sings hymns and liturgy — no fancy choral settings. This is the Children’s Choir you hear occasionally on The Lutheran Hour. The CD’s can be purchased through St Paul’s Lutheran Church, Concordia Theological Seminary at CPHBookstore@ctsfw.edu, or at Concordia Publishing House.

In short, let God’s children sing. Let them sing the hymns of our Lutheran heritage. Let them sing the liturgy that has nourished the church for hundreds of years. Let them grow through these hymns and liturgy.