            
Sunday Worship: Contemporary
Service: 8:45 a.m. Summer Schedule: No Christian Ed June-August
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First Presbyterian Willoughby Music Mission
"Come,
Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing, This line from the beloved hymn text by Robert Robinson is a fitting theme for those involved in the music ministry at 1st Presbyterian Church Willoughby. Our Philosophy for music in the church...Music used for the purpose of worship within the church has some unique attributes when compared to music in the classroom or concert hall. Music for worship in the church is functional. One includes a specific piece of music based not only on its musical merit, but also because it communicates a particular element in the dialogue of worship between God and humankind (e.g. praise, thanksgiving, confession, proclamation, testimony, commitment). Music for worship in the church should also be our best offering. The psalmist indicates that we should "play skillfully" before the LORD (Psalm 33:3). One tries to encourage worship leaders to give their best offering not only because God is deserving of our best, but also because a lesser gift can distract from the focus on and worship of God. Finally, music for worship in the church should be a sacrificial offering. Giving our best in worship requires as much (or more) emphasis on the preparation as in the presentation. One tries to encourage the kind of presentation "that costs us something." (2 Samuel 24:24)
We are blessed at 1st Presbyterian Church Willoughby with musical talent of all ages. We have vocal choirs, handbell choirs, and instrumentals. Please contact me if we can assist you in your participation in the music ministry at 1st Presbyterian Church Willoughby. Whatever your gift, we have a place for you! Sincerely,
Choral
Notes - June 2008 Following the Rules During
rehearsals, someone will occasionally ask why we’re doing a piece in a
certain manner.
They’ll may find it too simple and in need of more “pizzazz”,
or not understand why we’re adding the same “pizzazz” if it’s not
printed.
Back in my early days of conducting, I remember studying a work by
Schubert.
I analyzed the score then listened to a recording by Robert Shaw.
His choir was doing things that were not printed in the music.
The lines seemed to ebb and swell with life.
The piece took on a third dimension.
Naively, I asked my instructor why.
He answered, there’s more to performing music than what’s on
paper.
Through study, you have to try to understand where the composer was
going.
A performing musician has to do more than be able to execute the
notes or “follow the rules”.
At
the other extreme, some years back, the Blossom Chorus was rehearsing
Brahms’ Requiem.
In contrast to Schubert, this score was overflowing with expression:
crescendos over crescendos, accents, dynamic contrasts, changes in tempo,
etc., etc.
We sang out, getting louder and softer, slower and faster, following
the printed music.
However, Betsy Burleigh, the director, stopped our euphoria
midstream.
We needed to be sensitized or the audience would wind up with a case
of “Brahms seasickness.”
Again, we were doing what was in the score, just “following the
rules”.
Following
the rules just doesn’t work where feelings and sensitivities are involved.
You can type a composition into a program called FINALE and it’ll
play back the correct notes, but I doubt if you’ll listen to it very
often.
On the other hand, Beethoven could write incredible music without
ever hearing it, not only because he knew the rules of composition.
His innate sensitivities told him what to do with them.
We
can live our lives by the rules and never get into trouble.
So can a robot.
Jesus gave us a golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them
do unto you.”
That’s pretty ambiguous.
There aren’t a lot of clauses and codicils.
Like Schubert’s music, though, you have to think about what’s not
printed, to understand how it applies in each individual case.
It’s a lot more difficult but it’s what makes us ever so much
different from a FINALE program. The
choir season is pretty well wrapped up until September.
Many thanks to the singers, adult and junior, who went to so much
trouble to provide us with wonderful choral music throughout the church
year. A special thanks to Tracy, Rachel, and Shelly who got up with the
chickens to add so much spice to the early service.
As my way of showing my appreciation to those involved, I’d like to
invite all who volunteered in the music program to my house on the beach for
a party. Children’s Choir will be Saturday, May 31, 3-6 p.m. when we’ll
bake Communion bread.
All adults are invited on Friday, June 6 in the evening. We’ve
had a great response to the Summer Music schedule so our worship won’t be
lacking in musical leadership over the next few months. On June 15th,
Jim Savage has been kind enough to sub on the organ bench while I’m
visiting my daughter in On
Saturday, July 5, if you plan to attend Carmena Burana at Blossom, be
sure to check out the direct middle of the chorus where you’ll probably
find me. And,
of course, if you enjoy music, you may give some thought to joining the
choir this fall, encouraging your son/daughter to join the children’s
choir, or giving us a hand with the percussion in early worship (it’s
really not very difficult!)
Right now the choirs are meeting upstairs, but I hope to have us
moved downstairs in our own room by fall so those who may have difficulties
with the stairs are not prevented from participating. The strength of our
worship music is determined solely by the dedication of our members!
It’s up to you; don’t leave it to the others. Happy
Summer! Ginny
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