At the risk of mass criticism and church sanctions, I must admit something to you. Even though I am really, really Mormon, I am not a big fan of listening to choir music. Nope, not even that choir. On occasion a particular choir performance will touch me or thrill me, (such as last week.) but on the whole, I am not a guy who would buy tickets to go to see a choir perform. It just doesn’t do it for me. Even on my mission, I was hard-pressed to enjoy listening to endless Mormon Tabernacle Choir music.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not them – it’s me. They are the best of the best. They are world renowned – with good reason. But, as my grampa would say, “If we all liked the same thing, everyone would be chasing your grandma.”
Here is the irony: I love singing in a choir. It is awesome. I have been singing in choirs on and off since I was a kid. Something about singing in the choir captures me in a way that listening doesn’t. If I had to choose between listening to a choir number, or singing a congregational hymn, I would choose to sing every time – even when attending General Conference. Please don’t hurt me.
Three examples:
• Yesterday my EC and I attended a very lovely funeral. The opening hymn was The Spirit of God. There were probably 700 of us singing together, and it sounded and felt powerful and wonderful. The Spirit flooded the room.
• I was privileged to be a part of our ward choir as we sang Christmas music in sacrament meeting. As we sang O Come O Come Emmanuel, the Spirit filled my heart and I choked back tears.
• On Christmas Eve, during our extended family celebration, my immediate family (9 of us) sang an acapella version of Away in a Manger. It was nothing fancy – but something about the blend of the voices was so pure and intimate that it spoke to my heart.
That’s the thing about singing in a choir. You get to be part of the experience. You get to strive to blend and belong. The goal is to sound as one voice. Yes, there are different parts and harmonies, but the goal is to become so unified that the sound is “one.” It is an audible expression of the idea of the unity we strive for in our quest for Zion.
But it goes deeper: Recently I read an article and a study that shows that when people sing together in a choir, not only do their voices join together – their heartbeats actually synchronize, so they beat in unison. How cool is that?
So not only does singing together bring a unity of voice, it also bring a unity of heart, Is this beginning to sound familiar? “And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind” (Moses 7:18)
But wait, there’s more…
I found another article and study that suggests that singing in a choir can lead to…happiness. Singing with others can raise endorphin levels, increase immunity, and cause all sorts of other feel-good reactions in our bodies. Is it any wonder we get chills sometimes when the congregation sings together. Any man who has ever stood and sang with the congregation in the Priesthood Session of General Conference knows exactly what I am saying. It feels good.
The Lord, as is he is famous for, knew what he was doing when he instructed that congregational singing be a key component of our Sunday worship. (Personally, whenever I attend a meeting or conference where a choir gets to sing the closing song, I feel a little ripped off.)
One more quick example of the uniting power of music: We have a large ward, and overlapping meeting schedules. Because of this, our Priesthood opening exercises are held in the Cultural Hall. Each week have an opening hymn, and each week we witness a tiny miracle. The music conductor is usually an Aaronic Priesthood boy, who, while looking pained, waves his arm until the singing stops.
Here is the miracle: There is rarely a defined starting pitch given. Instead, about 30 different starting pitches occur simultaneously as we begin to sing. Yes, the first few notes are a cacophony, but the men quickly listen to the brethren around them and adjust accordingly. Within a few notes, we come together on a unified pitch, and finish out the song – and it often sounds pretty good!. It is hilarious, yet wonderful at the same time.
Is there a message in all of this? Several, but the one I would like highlight is this: Singing together moves us towards Zion. It unites our hearts, it unites our minds, and brings us joy.
Yet there are lots of ways to mess this up. (He who has ears…)
• We can mess it up by refusing to sing. If we refuse to participate, we forfeit those blessings of unity and joy.
• Sometimes we stop paying attention to the director – and we mess up. We forget to come in, we cut off at the wrong time, because we just weren’t watching.
• Some people think they know music better than the director. The contest the song choices, the manner in which it is being led, the tone, the pace. They think they could do a better job, and they let everyone else know it.
• Lots of choirs have that one voice that sticks out. It is usually louder than the rest, and/or harsh or operatic. Instead of trying to blend, they are trying to draw attention to themselves. There is a difference between a solo voice and a choir voice.
And (now that I’ve actually referenced the Little Mermaid) a few more ridiculous ideas:
• What if someone doesn’t like some of the lyrics? Do they just close their mouths and not sing those words, or do they swap them out with the words of they own choosing – lyrics that they think are better?
• What if someone doesn’t like the way their part is written, or the way the director has chosen to perform it? Does that person go off and start singing whatever notes they feel like – improvising as they go? What a mess!
• What if someone doesn’t like even being in the choir? Some just stop coming, others form their own choirs and pick and choose what songs they want to sing. Others sit in the audience and mock or criticize the choir they no longer are willing to be a part of.
In any of these examples, the idea of blending, and striving to achieve a Zion-like choir goes out the window.
As we sing together in our choirs, our homes and our congregations, let’s remember that we are all about striving for unity: Unity of heart. Unity of mind. Unity of voice.
It s not just about entertainment – it is about becoming.
Hybrid Heaven! Choir & congregation singing combined common in Catholic Church I dropped by last week, Faith Baptist church a few weeks ago, & Christian Life Center I attend most Sundays.
I just had the time to read this article. I love to sing even though I do not have the best voice. I always apologize to those who sit in front of me. It always surprises me when I attend a ward where hardly anyone sings the hymns. Singing is one of the best ways to worship!
We had an elderly Primary chorister when I served for a billion years in Primary who taught our children to love to sing even at an early age. She would tell the little ones, “If you can’t remember the words just go lalala so that you can sing with everyone.” Because of her we always had wonderful singing times.
Hmmmm, I was at a funeral on Jan. 2nd where the opening hymn was The Spirit of God, too. Any chance you were visiting in Utah that day?
Matt King. Lindon, Utah
Yup, me too. Good funeral.
some good comments – but you have hit one of my hot buttons right now – yes, is it a bit of a miracle we all end singing together in opening exercises – that said, this should not be the case. why don’t our YM and Elders/High Priests know how to lead music and how to follow a chorister? there is no good explanation for this problem, except “traditions of the fathers”. in my ward typically – the opening hymn is announced, a YM stands up to lead the group, no starting pitch, waves his hand around until the group is through, then sits down. not on tune, not on beat, not on tempo. sometimes it is like fingernails on the chalk board for me. leading music is something all adults in our church should do – it is not like we never see the job done properly – General Conference, Stake Conference the chorister makes a difference. the chorister should make a difference in opening exercises as well. we – at least in my ward – can do better. lest any one accuse me of whining, i have shared my thoughts with our Bishop, he has responded in a positive manner – it remains to be seen what he feels impressed to do about the “problem” – i recognize he has many other matters to handle, but this one has an easy fix. just my experience/opinion. your mileage may vary.
Would you believe I used to sing in “that” choir but I really don’t like listening to choir music? But, oh do I love singing in choirs. When I was retired from Tab Choir after my 20 years I had to find another choir right away.
Love this. I love singing in a choir as well and totally believe that anyone can sing in a ward/stake choir and lend power and spirit. Even when they feel they “can’t” sing, I believe their voice adds to the whole making it better. Of course, I love listening to choirs and other music as well. Music as a whole – whether I sing or listen – moves me, touches me down deep. I love it.
Amen. Let’s sing together during conference more cause I tire of the mo tab. The nice thing about being in my home is that I just join in and sing along…it helps check my attitude for sure!
Ok, ok. I agree with virtually all of what you wrote. However it is a well known fact that Brother Joseph and Brother Brigham said often (at least they personally did to me) that it is okay to sing the hymns to the pace of the upper number in the range given, not just dragging to the bottom number. And it’s okay to follow the description as well. Just saying. I also have always loved my brother’s opinion about the opening hymn (this in the days of 7am or 8am priesthood meeting before the block) when sacrament meets before 11am. It must be a rule that this hymn be upbeat and inspiring in an effort to “wake everyone up and get them participating.” Sometimes the chorister gets what they ask for when they choose an unknown, slow song for the opening hymn at 9am.
Following the description is a great rule of thumb! That’s what I am advocating. By the way, how fortunate for you to speak with Brother Joseph and Brother Brigham 🙂 Sounds like they had great advice on this!
Excellent!! I too love performing with a choir instead of listening. Like preparing a lesson to teach we get more out it than the audience does. However I have discovered that directing a choir is almost as wonderful. I am sure it is akin to the high drugs give you. when you have shaped a particular song and the voices and music and spirit come together just so it is amazing! There are no words to describe it, only tears! This coming from someone who was a vocal education major for two years but changed to elementary Ed so music wouldn’t be ruined for me. But the lord had other plans and 1/2 thru my teaching career I ended up becoming a middle school choir teacher (last 15 years yikes!) Plus now I have to watch the motab every week since my brother is in it and many beloved friends from college too. But they will also admit they love singing with them more than listening too! I picture heaven being one ginormous choir with no audience ??
I LOVE singing!! However, if a song is dragging I just quit singing. Then it’s not fun anymore. I am one who regularly contests the pace of congregational hymns (to my husband). If a composer marked a hymn to be played energetically then that is how the organist should play it. Not doing so takes away the spirit. Yes i do think i could do a better job. There are metronome markings for a reason.
Wow! Losing the Spirit has nothing to do with how fast a song is sung, it is a personal choice. I have heard many performers change up the pace of a song and it works just fine. Maybe you should try sustaining the chorister/organist in their calling instead of being critical?
Wow and Ouch! Since when did expressing a preference with a little humor + no sustaining a chorister. Yes the range if given for a reason. I prefer the upper, others prefer the lower. Not a word spoken about sustaining. This is your opportunity to not be so over-responsive/sensitive. You ask the same of your readers.
She said she quit singing, and made the point that she could do a better job…
I knew I would get a response. I understand being critical is a choice I’ll need to grow out of but the funeral tempo on energetic songs really, really bugs me. Still love you and your blog
Emily! Admit it: If I hadn’t fired back, you would have secretly been disappointed. We had the inverse problem for a time – everything was sung so fast that everyone was out of breath for the sacrament. Thanks for reading!
The point is not “who can do a better job?” I have been in many a sacrament meeting where an accomplished musician sits in the congregation while someone who can barely read music struggles through the hymns on the piano. The point is to be unified, not to find each other’s faults. Focusing on the weaknesses of the organist or pianist also takes away the spirit. Refusing to sing because you don’t like the way someone else is doing it takes away the spirit.
Maybe playing the hymn slow isn’t by choice. I’m an organist for our ward and I’m not all that good even with several hours of practicing each week. Some songs I’m forced to play slow or I’m botching it every other note, which really would kill the spirit. The lack of fun singing the song or its pace is not what takes the spirit away, it’s our attitude towards it that does.
Everything being turned into a funeral song drives me insane too. I don’t particularly enjoy singing and loathe the sound of my own voice, so when it drags on for eons longer than the original composer intended it’s painful…and my wiggly kids with a multitude of hurdles to overcome lose interest then the cycle of trying to pull their focus back on track and failing starts. It’s painful. AT the tempo written seems to always by more successful in our little family’s bubble.
I completely agree with you on the closing songs at conference. I really notice it when they sing something like “Come, Ye Children of the Lord, let us sing with one accord…” I would love for the closing song to be our congregational hymn (since I guess we only get one), to unite all our hearts in benediction. “Let the ‘Amen’ sum all our praises again, now as we worship before Him.”
You might be interested to know that in biblical times, there was a lot of choir music in the church, except all church meetings were at the temple. So choir singing was a temple calling; the choir was composed of the priests and levites and their wives and sons and daughters. So, if you enjoy TEMPLE WORK, join the ward choir! All our kids sang in the ward choir with us in Ohio: that is where they learned good strong doctrine and felt the spirit at church. Much more than in their classes.
I sit in the back at our meetings, the back is halfway into the gym, yep really large ward. Oft times I think I’m the only one singing in the back. Granted there are no hymn books in the back on those hard folding chairs but everyone has their technology and instead of looking up the hymn they’re checking out whatever they’re checking out but they’re not singing. I’ve always considered singing the hymns as my opportunity to participate in the service, can’t speak every week, singing hymns is my opportunity. It’s a privilege to sing praises to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. One of the things that we gave up with combining the meeting times back in the early 80’s was song practice, I guess some people just don’t know the hymns well enough to feel comfortable singing them. I figure that excuse is really only good for new members though. My father had a lovely voice, good enough to be a member of the MO Tab choir for 30 years. I was not blessed with his gift so I’ve kind of made a deal with Heavenly Father, if I sing all the hymns at all my meetings maybe in the next life my voice and musical talents might be given a boost. Yes, a lot of random thoughts and all shared with you. Thank you for another great post MMM.
Just today I was noticing how many people in the congregation weren’t singing and it made me sad for them
AuntSue
That unified power is a wonderful thing.
I love to sing, even though I’m not fantastic. This explains a lot about singing in a choir, and so much more!
I’m right with you on this one! Love to sing and feel the spirit while doing it. Not a huge MoTab fan. 🙂
You’re spot on! First, like you, there are a few pieces that really move me that the Tab Choir sings. But most of the time unless I already know the song, I can’t understand a word they’re singing so I lose interest really fast. I don’t like opera-type voices at all anyway. I’d rather listen to young voices that are clearer and less dramatic. Second, I would LOVE to sing my heart out with the ward choir! But alas, my emotions are tied directly to my eyes (waterworks) and throat (nothing comes out). I miss being able to sing in a choir, but I do feel the Spirit singing in the congregation when all are indeed unified. Love the research findings, too!
I found no heresy here. Just good stuff as always
Behold the power of music… thanks for the post. Well said.
Kinda like… I love playing baseball but am bored to pieces watching it on TV.
Also… can you cite your studies? (I’m not disagreeing… just fascinated to read them myself.)
Soccer too. I linked to all the studies. Just click.