Music in Church

[The Nehor]

Or maybe "In the Garden of Eden"?

Homer:

Remember when we used to make out to this hymn?

[silvermoon383]

Or maybe "In the Garden of Eden"?

Best hymn ever!

Anyways, while I'm not an expert on the music policy (though I do know for sure that brass and drums are off the list), I do believe that the bishop does have some leniency in its implementation. Twice in my old family ward we had musical numbers that involved an instrument that technically wasn't on the approved list. The first was a trumpet player during the Primary Program (he was one of the trumpeted angels mentioned earlier), the second was me on my soprano saxophone during my missionary farewell (family did a number together, my sisters and mom were all on approved instruments).

[Doctor Steuss]

My favorite by far is Gospel music. That stuff lifts the heart. But I doubt you'll ever see it in an LDS chapel.

Speaking of Gospel Music. The Motab really (really, really) needs to stop trying to do old-school Gospel songs. I can't remember what song it was (it was done maybe two weeks ago), but they sucked the life right out of it.

Beautiful sounding choir (one of the best in the world), but songs of joyous celebration arenâ??t exactly their forte.

[The Nehor]

This song:

[Mudcat]

Where does the concept that you can only play piano, organ and a few other instruments and only sing songs from the hymn book come from. Is there some source documentation on it? or is this just tradition?

[Traela]

It would be nice if the use of alternate instruments was encouraged more in the non-Sacrament meetings. I've just had the brilliant idea for a Sharing Time: tell all the kids the story of how "Silent Night" was written, then have them sing it with guitar accompaniment. Of course, I'm not Primary President any more...maybe I'll suggest it to the new one.

And I would also like a wider selection of hymns. There are a lot I would love to have sung. I think if I ever get called to be Music Chairman, I will ask the RS to use specified less familiar hymns for the practice song.

[cinepro]

Best hymn ever!

Anyways, while I'm not an expert on the music policy (though I do know for sure that brass and drums are off the list), I do believe that the bishop does have some leniency in its implementation.

While the Bishop may approve such things, that doesn't mean he has "leniency". Bishops can (and do) go against policy all the time (either intentionally or unintentionally). For something small, the SP might mention it to him if he even finds out about it, but for the most part, no one will say anything. Our ward does stuff "off-manual" all the time; it's even gotten to the point that I sometimes suspect we're totally off the grid, and Salt Lake doesn't even know we exist.

[Doctor Steuss]

This song:

Is that Laurie Anderson?

[Mudcat]

I suppose music can be abused in church, its off topic and somewhat sacrilegious... but the pastor at our church is a rather portly, short fellow, wears thick glasses, suspenders and is balding. He has sort of a duck waddle walk, and though he is a quite articulate speaker with two doctorates... when you see him coming you tend to think of a white Fred G. Sanford.

The electric guitar player, the drummer and the sax player went into cahoots with me about a month ago as our pastor waddled to the podium..... we opened up with the first few bars of the Sanford and Son theme song. Unfortunately the entire congregation as well as the pastor got the joke.

[Grothar]

I'm still trying to get permission to play my bagpipes in Church.

Sheesh, I'll play scotland the brave/praise to the man and everything.

Grothar, knows it'll never happen.

[The Nehor]

Is that Laurie Anderson?

Nope. Ellen McLain.

[aletheia]

I tend to grow weary of piano and organ and the same old songs every week in Church.

Like most things, I really liked it during my first ten-years or so, but over a stretch of 30-years, it sorta grows "weary, flat, stale and unprofitable."

My perception is that others must feel the same way, because when our congregation sings the hymns, it sounds like a funeral.

I keep looking around for the casket.

One of the things I envy about Evangelical Christian congregations is their use of additional instruments, hand-clapping, and more folksy, sing-a-long music.

I know Gladys Knight is trying to make some inroads on this, but so far they haven't trickled down to my ward.

Am I alone in this view?

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

The hymns are for our spiritual learning. They arn't for mere entertainment. The Holy Ghost doesn't operate in loud obnoxious music and hand clapping, that would be emotion. Where do you draw the line between emotion and the spirit?

[Koneko]

We've had a few harpists play in sacrament meeting. That was a nice change, and still uplifting and spirit invoking. Not often enough though. I would love to hear some flutes too. I think there may be an issue with the tendency to turn it into a weekly talent show though. I've often wished our chorister would release the hymns for the next week on the website or through RS email. I would definitely take a moment to hear the different parts of the hymn online. My range is somewhere between soprano and alto, so it would be nice to pick and choose notes ahead of time. Plus I'm fairly unfamiliar with most of the songs yet.

[Mudcat]

The hymns are for our spiritual learning. They arn't for mere entertainment. The Holy Ghost doesn't operate in loud obnoxious music and hand clapping, that would be emotion. Where do you draw the line between emotion and the spirit?

Not the same place you do apparently.

I suppose the better question would be, where does the Holy Spirit draw the line or are we just drawing lines to put him in.

[smac97]

I tend to grow weary of piano and organ and the same old songs every week in Church.

Like most things, I really liked it during my first ten-years or so, but over a stretch of 30-years, it sorta grows "weary, flat, stale and unprofitable."

My perception is that others must feel the same way, because when our congregation sings the hymns, it sounds like a funeral.

I keep looking around for the casket.

One of the things I envy about Evangelical Christian congregations is their use of additional instruments, hand-clapping, and more folksy, sing-a-long music.

I know Gladys Knight is trying to make some inroads on this, but so far they haven't trickled down to my ward.

Am I alone in this view?

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

I think that LDS sacrament services are intended to skew toward "solemn assemblies"-type meetings. The primary purpose of the meeting, after all, is to participate in a sacred ordinance. Consequently, the church generally keeps these meetings free of elements that may skew toward entertainment or loudness.

-Smac

[charity]

I hear you, brother!

Three hours a week at church is pretty daunting.

Just imagine an eternity of it!

Hell starts to look appealing.

All the Best!

--Consiglieri

1. Your ward needs good music people. A strong chorister and a competenent organist can lead any congregation into more rousing version of any hymn.

2. To answr the question: Appropriate musical instruments for sacrament meeting are strings, woodwinds, and piano and organ. No brass. No percussion. Except the pianio, of course.

3. Of course, the 3 hour block is very little music.

4. I am imagining an eternity of the greatest musical talent in the history of earth. When I get on the other side I plan on asking to be assigned to teach the Gospel to Chopoin, Beethoven, Elvis, Howard Keel, Garth Brooks, my list is a long one.

[LDSToronto]

Where does the concept that you can only play piano, organ and a few other instruments and only sing songs from the hymn book come from. Is there some source documentation on it? or is this just tradition?

Thanks for the question, because it forced me to crack open both CHI's and I learned a little something...

Church Handbook of Instructions states "The bishopric selects or approves music for sacrament meetings. Music and musical texts are to be sacred, dignified and otherwise suitable for sacrament meeting." Regarding musical instruments: "Organs and pianos are the standard instruments used in Church meetings. If other instruments are used, their use should be in keeping with the spirit of the meeting. Instruments with prominent or less worshipful sound, such as most brass and percussion, are not appropriate for sacrament meeting"

Seems like classical guitars are in!!!

As for choosing selections, as long as the songs are doctrinally correct and in keeping with the spirit of the hymns, then the bishopric can choose them.

H.

[emeliza]

Where does the concept that you can only play piano, organ and a few other instruments and only sing songs from the hymn book come from. Is there some source documentation on it? or is this just tradition?

It is a policy and I believe covered in the CHI.

I personally would like a livlier meeting now and again as well, however I understand the purpose behind keeping it slow and solemn. A little faster tempo would be nice though.

[thesometimesaint]

Heaven forbid we show a little emotion in our music. Now that would be sacrilegious.

[charity]

Heaven forbid we show a little emotion in our music. Now that would be sacrilegious.

Where does it say that? Music in church and other religious settings can be express in the highest and most exalted emotions.

[Mudcat]

Thanks for the question, because it forced me to crack open both CHI's and I learned a little something...

Church Handbook of Instructions states "The bishopric selects or approves music for sacrament meetings. Music and musical texts are to be sacred, dignified and otherwise suitable for sacrament meeting." Regarding musical instruments: "Organs and pianos are the standard instruments used in Church meetings. If other instruments are used, their use should be in keeping with the spirit of the meeting. Instruments with prominent or less worshipful sound, such as most brass and percussion, are not appropriate for sacrament meeting"

Seems like classical guitars are in!!!

As for choosing selections, as long as the songs are doctrinally correct and in keeping with the spirit of the hymns, then the bishopric can choose them.

H.

H,

If that is documented rule on the matter, seems like the bishopric has a little more latitude than some folks are stating. I would be willing to bet if someone would commit to 'livening' up the service a bit, they would see a marked improvement in participation.

What would that look like with an organ, piano, a twelve string and a classical guitar.. and maybe a little faster tempo.

The only LDS hymn I really know is "Come thou Fount"

Do you think rearranging the chord progressions or phrasings of hymns without changing the language would be off limits?

BTW... thanks for looking that up.

[thesometimesaint]

charity:

I agree. I just grow increasingly tired of the emotions consistently being those associated with a funeral dirge. I though we supposed to make a JOYFUL sound unto the Lord.

[lagniappe]

3. Of course, the 3 hour block is very little music.

Tell that to the primary chorister (which I am).

The level of musical enthusiasm in the ward that I'm currently in is the worst of any ward that I've ever been in. We don't even have a choir. In sacrament meeting I am the only one that sings alto. Or at least the only one that audibly sings alto. In fact I feel like I'm singing a solo most of the time because the singing is so quiet. It's quite sad. If only our problem was tempo. I'd love to graduate to that problem.

[Traela]

We've had a few harpists play in sacrament meeting. That was a nice change, and still uplifting and spirit invoking. Not often enough though. I would love to hear some flutes too. I think there may be an issue with the tendency to turn it into a weekly talent show though. I've often wished our chorister would release the hymns for the next week on the website or through RS email. I would definitely take a moment to hear the different parts of the hymn online. My range is somewhere between soprano and alto, so it would be nice to pick and choose notes ahead of time. Plus I'm fairly unfamiliar with most of the songs yet.

I like this idea. Maybe get the bishop on board, suggesting that families learn the songs in FHE.

[LDSToronto]

H,

If that is documented rule on the matter, seems like the bishopric has a little more latitude than some folks are stating. I would be willing to bet if someone would commit to 'livening' up the service a bit, they would see a marked improvement in participation.

What would that look like with an organ, piano, a twelve string and a classical guitar.. and maybe a little faster tempo.

Now you're talkin'!

The only LDS hymn I really know is "Come thou Fount"

Do you think rearranging the chord progressions or phrasings of hymns without changing the language would be off limits?

No, I think that's perfectly valid. I've heard different interpretations and arrangements of the hymns. In fact, in the hymnal, there is a guide that shows you how to change the tunes of some of the hymns.

H.