Naomi's Notes - 8/31/06
Many essays have been written through the years about why church music is important to our worship as Christians. Recently, I came across an insightful article by Carolyn W. Gillette, "Why We Sing," in Baylor University's Christian Reflection journal.
She writes: "When we come before God in worship, why do we sing rather than merely think or talk with one another? We sing because music is a gift from God. It is a language that God has given us to express our deepest longings, our greatest joys, and our most profound trust in the One who created us and loves us unconditionally. Like all gifts from God, it is one that God calls us to use with gratitude."
Music education professors have long taught that music is an innate ability within every human being. Besides the musical rhythm of our own heartbeats, studies show that children's "sol-mi" (i.e., "sing-song") games are universal. Gillette notes that God has given us musical gifts and "it is a short step to carry these gifts into our worship of God."
The scriptures are replete with instructions to sing praises to God. Many of the psalms mention singing to the Lord. Some people may feel like they are only able to "make a joyful noise to the Lord" (Psalm 100:1), but that same verse also says to "come into His presence with singing." For many years one seminary professor has required that students memorize Colossians 3:16 as the foundation of their church music philosophy: "...with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God."
How sad it is to hear some people say, "I can't sing," often adding that they've been teased since childhood about not being able to sing. It is both my training and my experience that there is no such thing as a person who cannot sing - there are only untrained ears.
Anyone who can speak can also sing - both basically use the same physical mechanism. Just as our ears have been trained to differentiate the sounds of speech, so can uncertain singers be trained to identify musical sounds with their ears and reproduce them with their voices.
One reason children's choirs are so important at church is that the children learn to differentiate and reproduce good musical sounds - not only the pitches and rhythms, but also the quality of the sounds. Nothing is more beautiful than children singing confidently in their "head voice" as they praise the Lord in song.
If you feel (or unfortunately have been told) that you cannot sing, but secretly would like to learn how, please see me privately. I'd be more than willing to check out your voice (and your ears!) and help you find your singing voice. For most adults or youth, just a few pointers can solve any basic problems. Just think how much you could enjoy singing the Lord's praises during corporate worship - or even in the shower!
See you in worship this Sunday
- Naomi