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Singing the Hymns for Praise and Worship

2/10/2021

A couple of weeks ago, the Counselor conducting the meeting instructed, "now let's join in singing the opening hymn." I took him at his word, although our congregation had not been invited to actually sing in many months due to the COVID pandemic. However, the week before, the congregation (both in the chapel and those tuning in from home) had been invited to actually sing during Stake Conference. So naturally, I thought that the policy had changed. However, it occurred to me that being new to the calling, he may have had a slip of tongue.

As soon as I opened my mouth to sing (behind a mask of course), it became obvious that I was singing a solo. "Too late now," I thought to myself, "I'm committed." So, I sang out loud and clear. It actually felt very good. I felt like I was allowed to worship again in the meeting.

After the meeting, many people came up to me and said how much they enjoyed hearing the words of the hymns again. I asked them if they had been singing. They said that they had just been enjoying listening to me sing.

"Oh, no, no, no! You are supposed to sing, too!"

The next Sunday, I decided to sing the hymns again, no matter what. This time, I could actually hear more people singing with me. After the meeting, some people that I had not seen at Church physically in a very long time thanked me for singing. They told me that the reason they had not come out to Church for so long was that they thought, "It just doesn't feel like Church without the singing! And because we can just watch on the computer, why go to the effort to dress up to go to the building?""

They did say that if I continue to sing each week, they would come back to Church in the chapel.

Singing the hymns during meetings helps us unite in praises and worship and invites the Spirit to testify. Oh, that we could have more of that across the world today!

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Respecting Beethoven

2/5/2021

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Singing the glorious last movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony as part of the Tabernacle Choir will remain one of the highlights of my life. In my college years, I studied the works of Beethoven as part of the Music history modules, but always came away not really able to understand or give his music the respect it deserves. For me, his music was very difficult to perform and took great exertion to master. I admit, my skills were probably lacking and that is the bigger reason why I only embraced certain of Beethoven's works.

After listening to a very moving podcast about Beethoven's life and works, I came away better able to understand the man and the greatness of his music. In Music History courses, students are exposed mainly to just the few musicians who played pivotal roles in pushing the parameters of music. Three Germanic composers, Bach (1685-1750), and Haydn (1732-1809), and Mozart (1756-1791), are recognized as TRANSITIONAL FIGURES because of their originality, genius and sheer output. Bach basically defined the Baroque period in Music, however many of his compositions pushed the accepted boundaries of that era. Haydn's music defined the new, clean, well-ordered style of the Classical Period. Mozart lived during the Classical age, but defied the rules and pushed towards more freedom of expression and emotional content. He helped transition music into the age of Romanticism, a style period that Beethoven matured in and further defined through his genius and originality.

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) grew up studying the works of the masters, and even met both Mozart and Haydn in Vienna. He actually studied for a time with Papa Haydn. Beethoven had the desire to master and even go beyond the performance capabilities and compositions of these masters. He witnessed the demise of the "Court Composer" Patron system (like Haydn) to the new commercial model of the "freelance musician" (like Mozart). Beethoven had equal hard luck with both systems.

After learning about all of Beethoven's hard luck throughout his life from family problems, to romantic heart-aches, from sickness to total deafness, it is hard to imagine how this tortured man could create such sublime music. Through all of his difficulties, though, he still managed to continue his faith in God. In fact, Beethoven covenanted with Him to continue to create music for as long as he was able to use his God-given gift. How truly inspirational!

I think I respect Beethoven and his music better now.

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Bartering --- Of the Past or In Our Future?

2/3/2021

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My mother spent her life building up people and molding musicians. She operated by pure love --- her love of music and her love of people. She often taught more than 30 piano or vocal lessons a week, but did it mostly for the blessings of satisfaction that she had helped people bring joy into their lives through working on skills. This usually meant that she rarely charged the going rate and did a lot of BARTERING.

We lived in Texas in the mid to late 1960's. Most of my mother's students came from our Church congregation and also happened to live pretty far away from our neighborhood. One family had 12 children and not enough money for them all to get luxuries such as private lessons. My mother loved this family and saw some real talent in many of the children. She offered to give lessons in exchange for having the mother, who was a good seamstress, sew for us.

In those days, the schools had dress codes. That meant the girls wore dresses every day. So, my mother would contract with this seamstress --- so many dresses for so many lessons. This seemed to work out well for us. Mom would allow me and my sister the opportunity to choose fabric and some time later, we would get new school clothes. I think I remember our brothers getting a few new shirts this way, too. These clothes were never very fancy, but they were new! (That was a luxury for us!)

My mother was a pro at BARTERING --- music lessons for yard work, babysitting, produce from the garden, bottled fruit, rides to activities for her children, and the list goes on. I am sure this hearkened back to her pioneer heritage and lessons from living through the Great Depression of the 1930's. When people have no currency, they trade.

With the way things are heading in our country with so many people put suddenly out of work, we may need to get back to the thrift practices of our ancestors!

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Singing the Hymns for Praise and Worship

Respecting Beethoven

Bartering --- Of the Past or In Our Future?

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