CREEDE HINSHAW: Churches are sources of musical appreciation

Last week, I noted classical music conductor Edwin Outwater’s eureka moment when this punk-rocking, skateboarding Southern California teenager walked into a church to hear a string quartet — a life-changing moment for him.

Most American adults get their music appreciation and education (live music) primarily, if not almost exclusively, from church or synagogue. Subscribers to the symphony, attendees of music concerts, etc., are a small minority compared to those who are active participants in and listeners to a wide variety of voices, musical instruments and genres in worship.

This past Sunday at the church where I worship provides a typical example. A church member opened the worship service with the church organist by offering “The Prayer of Saint Gregory for Trumpet and Organ” by composer Alan Hovhaness. I had never heard this stirring piece before and am listening to it on my computer as I type this column. You can hear this four-minute piece, Winton Marsalis on trumpet, on Youtube.

Later in the service, the church choir sang the Old Hundredth Psalm Tune arranged by the famous English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams, the congregation singing two of the stanzas with the choir: “All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; Him serve with mirth, His praise forth tell, Come ye before him and rejoice.”

When the worship service concluded with the trumpeter and organist playing Bach’s Concerto in D Major (Allegro) for the closing voluntary, the congregation had been exposed to a variety of musical genres, heard a marvelous choir and sung some favorite hymns supported by a talented choir and a very accomplished organist.

The style of music will vary from congregation to congregation. Some congregations may employ electric or acoustic guitars and drums, while others offer strings and timpani played either by their own church members or local guest artists. Even congregations that forbid instrumental music offer a capella singing that is heartfelt and moving.

Over the course of my ministry I have been exposed to many genres of music. In my first country church, one of my members played the spoons during a worship service, an offering to God entirely fitting and beautifully inspiring in that setting.

In another congregation, the director of music played the autoharp almost weekly. She was a gifted musician whose deep faith was as moving as her music. I served a church once where a noted organist played Johann Sebastian Bach’s complete organ concerts (22 hours) in the sanctuary in two 11-hour sittings. Bach, of course, was a church organist himself.

Children, youth and adult choirs, too, are the primary setting where most Americans have the joy of singing together and worship is the only place where we have a chance, week after week, to sing with family, friends and neighbors. Indeed, the religious community has – through vocal and instrumental music – the key role of to imparting, inspiring and teaching faith through music. There’s within my heart a melody!

Email columnist Creede Hinshaw, a retired Methodist minister, at [email protected].