Choir conversation at the Hickory Log
On Wednesday night, January 13, the members of the First Christian Church (DOC) choir gathered for dinner at the Hickory Log. It was the next step in our congregation’s discernment process. At the all-congregation meeting on Sunday, December 13, it became very clear that our church is blessed with a great deal of musical talent. We have many instrumentalists and vocalists who enjoy sharing their gifts with the church in worship. For many people music is the high point of the worship service, and part of the reason that they felt called to be a part of our church in the first place.
At the same time, it was also very clear that our musical skill set has been changing over the years. We have fewer people involved in the traditional chancel choir and more people involved in alternative groups such as Joyful Noise and the praise band. A few years ago our church was also well known in the Southeast Gateway Area for the Sisters of Song women’s group. Much of that talent is still present in our congregation, but not all of it is being utilized on a regular basis.
Seeking the perfect style
It is no secret that worship music is one of the most contentious issues in any congregation. Our church is no exception. We have people who are big fans of traditional organ hymnody. Others prefer the sound of the piano alone. Some would prefer guitars and a praise band. Some are fans of commercially produced worship music videos. Others (like myself) would be happy with nothing but Taize chant each and every Sunday. What typically happens is that we baptize our preferences and declare that our particular style is the only proper way to worship God.
The reality is that musical tastes are not uniform within a culture or generation. Tastes are personally specific. What works for some individuals may not work for others within that same demographic. It is also not simply a question of only older folks liking hymns, and young people liking contemporary praise music. For example, many studies point to the fact that many Millennials are very liturgically inclined. If those studies are accurate, praise music is much more appealing to Boomers and Gen-Xers than it will be to those who follow them.
It is hard enough for a family riding in a car together to pick a radio that everyone can live with. Trying to find a style of music that will suit every member of the church is utterly impossible. This is why our congregation has chosen a blended worship service. The intention is that by varying the styles and sources of music everyone in the congregation will at some point be able to hear and enjoy their personal favorites. Whether we always succeed in this goal is a conversation for another day, but that remains the intention.
Where do we go from here?
One of the nice things about the depth and breadth of the talent of our congregation is that we have people with the skills necessary to bring a wide variety of music to the worship service. At our December 13 congregational planning meeting the question asked was, how do we better utilize the musical talents and assets that we have? The first step in answering that question was to sit down with the existing chancel choir to get a better sense of what they wanted the immediate future to look like.
There are many versions of church choirs. Some choirs are large and highly professional. Some are small and relatively informal. Some only sing on major holidays. There are even “pick-up choirs” where members of the congregation come forward for an impromptu anthem straight out of the hymnal. One of the best church “choirs” I have ever seen was a SAB trio who led worship in a congregation of twenty people. It is not the size, composition, or even the talent of a choir that makes the biggest difference. It is the commitment and excitement that the musicians and singers bring.
This is the question that the choir was being asked to address. Which version of choir did they feel called to pursue? Did they want to continue on a weekly basis? A monthly basis? Should they become a pick-up choir? Or should we simply give thanks to God for the memories and friendships we have made and allow the choir to fade into the proud history of the church?
Not ready to give up!
On Wednesday it became clear that our church’s choir is not yet prepared to fade into history. It was gratifying to see a new energy among the members of the choir. A few past members came back to join us for the conversation. New members expressed a commitment to come on board. We discussed the places where the musical life of our congregation has been most evident. We listed the assets that we have to work with. More than anything, we took the time to truly listen to each other. Perhaps getting out of the church building and the choir’s normal rehearsal space allowed us to look at things with fresh eyes.
In the end, the choir recommitted to a weekly rehearsal time on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. They took upon themselves the responsibility to lead the hymns together, instead of one person alone leading the congregation. Now the whole choir will be involved in making sure that the congregation has a collection of strong voices to follow. In addition to worship leadership duties, the choir is going to begin by singing a special anthem approximately once a month. The increased time between anthems will allow for more rehearsal time. Extra rehearsal time will lead directly to more confidence and increased familiarity with the music.
Finally, the choir is going to work to better integrate others into the music ministry of the church. New singers will be sought out. Personal invitations will be extended. Now that the choir knows what it is going to look like, other musical groups and soloists will be called upon for anthems in the weeks that the choir is only leading the hymns. The choir will become the base upon which all the other musical talent of the church can build.
Final thank you
It was a positive discussion, and it will be exciting to watch as these decisions are implemented in the life of the church. Thank you, most especially, to the members of the First Christian Church chancel choir for your willingness to wrestle with discerning the next for our church’s music program. It is definitely a time of transition. It is an incredible blessing to have such a a deep talent pool from which to draw as we go through this time. Thank you for sharing your love of music and the church with members of our congregation.
