A fortnight ago, at the thanksgiving for the life of John Chapman, the force and beauty of congregational singing was palpable. Maybe it was because I was standing in the middle of the congregation, between the organ and the brass, that I was overwhelmed by the sheer power of the music, but others have commented to me about the effects of the hymns.
Why was the singing so good? In part it was having Ross Cobb playing the organ. He is a master in using the instrument to aid, assist, encourage, lead and accompany congregational singing. In part it was having the brass and timpani add passion to the music. Additionally we had a congregation of hymn singing Christians who filled the whole building. And it was also “an occasion” - praising God for “Chappo’s” life. But the value of the singing was more than all these.
What makes good congregational singing? It’s not that it is loud or in tune and in key. All those things are important but they are not the critical factors. More important is the sense of congregational unity – singing with one voice of our common faith in our one Lord. This is a unity of mind and purpose, connected to our emotions by the wonder of God’s creation of music. It’s the unifying factor of singing in such a fashion that though I make my contribution, yet my individuality is lost in the congregation singing as a whole. It is to this congregational unity, which the technicalities of the musicians make their contribution. Read more
Read also:
Notable Sacred Music for 2012
Free Christmas songs from Integrity
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