Music in the Church

Pentecost 10, July 28, 2024

Holy Trinity Cathedral

“Music in the Church”

Can you imagine a church without any music?  Yes, there are services that are said, rather than sung, but a liturgical tradition that would not draw on the contributions of musicians is, to my mind, a sadly diminished one. Today we celebrate all who sing a song unto the Lord through instruments and voice.  I invite you to reflect with me on the importance of music for our souls.

There are some faith communities that have very restrictive ideas of what is appropriate for worship.  The “Wee Free” Church of Scotland allows only unaccompanied singing of the psalms, according to the rhyming versions set out in their 1650 hymnal.  One example we also sing is “All People That On Earth Do Dwell”, known as Old 100^th. The simplicity and purity of voices carrying a single line, or monody, has much to recommend it, but it is far from the only way that people can express themselves.  Even this traditional denomination is now having dialogue about how God might approve other ways of raising praise on high. 

This is good news for musicians.  All who have composed, written lyrics, played, or sung music know that there is a spiritual dimension to sound.  Music is a universal language that carries intent and emotion not only through the words but in the whole expression of a piece. Music carries divine meaning, whether it is a song like a hymn, a setting in a liturgy like a canticle or part of the mass, or devotional instrumentations that can be used as preludes or postludes.  Today in our service we romp through some music written by influential musicians in the Church: George F. Handel, J. S. Bach, Charles Wesley, Healy Willan, Marty Haugen- recognizing that there are many, many more whose creations are available to increase our faith.  Music, after all, can lift our spirits or teach our hearts and minds.  Above all, music helps us express who we are before God.  As John Wesley famously said, “he who sings, prays twice”. 

Much of the music that is used in the Church is rooted in our Holy Scriptures.  The words and stories of our faith inspire many different settings.  The Psalms are the hymnbook of the Jewish people, and continue to be central to the Church through to the present day.  They are chanted in monasteries, sung antiphonally in cathedrals, and cycle through our daily and weekly services in concert with other Bible readings.  But the psalms are not the only examples of music in the Bible.  Also found are the songs of individuals.  Think of the triumphant song of Miriam when the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea. Or the thanksgiving prayers of Hannah and Mary when they are blessed with a child.  Men’s songs are recorded too, in grief and in expectation: from David lamenting his son Absalom, to Simeon or John the Baptist’s father prophesying God’s future works.  And tucked throughout the pages of the New Testament are fragments of songs, from the early hymn to Christ’s divinity in Philippians chapter 2 to the songs of the hosts of heaven at the end of Revelation.  Almost every passage in the Bible has a hymn reference or been set to music.  Just look at the index in the back of the blue hymnbook in the pews (a great help for people planning worship!). 

Of course, choosing what music to include in public worship has a lot to do with context and culture.  Some pieces would work very well for a simple evening prayer rather than a diocesan celebration.  Some are best sung by themselves, while others cry out for a grand instrument or ensemble.  From the early days of singing psalms in the Temple, there are notes about suggested accompaniments.  Harp or lyre?  Flute or trumpet?  Harpsichord, piano, or organ?  Or what about a full rock band?  I was visiting one Mennonite church where I noticed a large plexiglass enclosure at the front of the worship space.  It looked like a fish tank for an orca.  “Oh”, I commented, “I see you do full immersion baptisms here.”  “No”, replied my guide, “That’s for the drum kit. It’s too loud otherwise.”

It's a matter of balance and placement with instruments, as well as with voices.  Nothing detracts from worship like an overmiked song leader who blares over the rest of the crowd, or a soloist who is being drowned out by the organ.  Maybe that’s why church architects put a lot of thought into where singers are best placed.  The cathedral model, which Holy Trinity reflects on a modest scale, has an area of the worship space called the chancel, with two facing pew sections for the choir.  The one on the right as you are looking at the altar, is called the decani side, after the seat for the deacon.  The one on the left is called the cantoris side, after the seat for the cantor or song leader.  The choir, in full view of each other, is well-suited for antiphonal singing back and forth to each other.  They just have to remember to turn slightly and sing out at the congregation if they want anyone else to hear them as well!

And the job of the choir is to help the whole congregation sing to the Lord.  Worship is not performance; it is participation in the divine liturgy.  It doesn’t matter whether we consider ourselves able to carry a tune or not.  We join in making a joyful noise.  Where else, besides your shower, do you get an opportunity to regularly exercise the vocal chords that’s your personal instrument?  Through congregational choral work, we all get an opportunity to sing what we believe and believe what we sing.  Music acts on us both emotionally and spiritually. 

For congregational leaders, then, the choice of music is important.  What will draw us closer to God in our experience?  We have rich resources from our Anglican Church tradition. To start, there are the two hymnbooks before you in the pews.  The blue one is Common Praise.  The green one is Songs for a Gospel People.  Both have the music notes in them that aren’t reprinted in the weekly bulletin, so those of you who can follow musical notation are welcome to sing parts other than the melody line.  Polyphony, or the use of different voice types like sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, add immensely to the texture of holy sound.  We also have access to licensing for more liturgical music through One License and CCLI, so if there is a song not in the hymnbooks we may be able to source it ethically.  And the choir has an abundance of printed sheet music and books that they can bring to anthems and special pieces.  So, how to choose?

Your music director and priest have musical and liturgical training.  But wise leaders invite contributions from the congregation.  I am getting to know you and the base repertoire you enjoy and know.  I also welcome new offerings that will stretch our imaginations, skills, and tastes.  My goal is to set seasonal gatherings to plan our worship life with you so that together we may bring the best of what our Church has to offer. 

Throughout human history, the Holy Spirit has inspired humans to write music that reflects our human condition and God’s grace.  Even deeply flawed individuals, such as King David, are remembered for contributing music that expresses the complexity and depth of our souls.  We give thanks for all who bring music to life in the Church, and we ask for the blessing of the divine as we play and sing to the glory of God.  With angels and archangels, and all the hosts of heaven, with the song of the universe and all created things, let us make music.  Amen.