Hymn Interpretation: Tips for Worship Leaders

1. HYMN INTERPRETATION: Suggestions for Worship Leaders and Accompanists 聖詩演譯/詮釋：給領導者及伴奏者的提示 Screen Test Color Contrast D e t a il s Toronto, May 20-25, 2008

2. Hymn arrangement, playing, interpreting and leading

3. 2008 Church Worship and Music Conference 羅炳良 Prof. Daniel P. Law

4. 2008 Church Worship and Music Conference 第一講HYMN STRUCTURES: From a Pastoral-Theological Point Of View 從教牧神學看聖詩的結構Maturity 第二講HYMNS FROM THE LAST 40 YEARS 最近四十年的聖詩 Modernity 第三講HYMN INTERPRETATION: Suggestions for Worship Leaders and Accompanists Musicians’ Responsibility 聖詩演譯/詮釋：給領導者及伴奏者的提示 第四講WORSHIP, PRAISE and PRAYER OF THE CHURCH: From The Perspectives Of The Heavenly Hosts Mandatory 學習天軍對神的敬拜、讚美與祈禱 第五講EXECUTING A PROFOUND WORSHIP 帶領一個敬虔謙恭的崇拜 Mastery 第六講 TRANSFORMED WORSHIP: A Closer Look at the “Worship Wars”心意更新的崇拜: 細看崇拜戰爭Micro-modification therapy

5. 2008 Church Worship and Music Conference Important Note Hymns used in this power point presentation are for illustrations and for this conference only. Further use of them are illegal.

6. A Prayer for Talk No. 3 For the music of creation, For the song Your Spirit sings, For Your sound’s divine expression, Burst of joy in living things. God, our God, the world’s composer, Hear us, echoes of Your voice: Music is Your art, Your glory, Let the human heart rejoice!

7. A Prayer for Talk No. 3 2. Psalms and symphonies exalt You, Drum and trumpet, string and reed, Simple melodies acclaim You, Tunes that rise from deepest need, Hymns of longing and belonging, Carols from a cheerful throat, Lilt of lullaby and love-song Catching heaven in a note.

8. A Prayer for Talk No. 3 All the voices of the ages In transcendent chorus meet, Worship lifting up the senses, Hands that praise and dancing feet; Over discord and division Music speaks Your joy and peace, Harmony of earth and heaven, Song of God that cannot cease! Amen.

9. Talk No 3Hymns Interpretation:Suggestion for Worship Leaders and Accompanists[A workshop for those whose care about congregational singing] Daniel P. Law Tel: (852) 2609 6488 E-mail: daniel_law@cuhk.edu.hk

10. Hymn Playing & Hymn Leading for Public worship Questions often being Asked Who leads? Why lead? When to lead? What to do? How to do? a. Human voice b. Instrument (which?) a. Musical reasons b. Spiritual reasons c. Habitual d. Overwhelming e. Interpretive f. Putting in the element of casualness a. During worship b. When needed c. Pre-meeting rehearsal (預習) a. Conducting b. Worship leadership c. Rubrics introduction d. Trying to find out! a. Calculate worship needs b. Analyze c. Understand d. Arrangement e. Rehearsal f. Professional preparations g. Lots of prayers Most Important Requirements for leaders and musicians

11. Requirements for Leaders and Musicians Advancing from the following 1. Establish a solid worship theology (General Biblical, Denominational) 2. Best training of the leader and musician in hymn “treatment.” A. Hymn style in Worship B. Hymn playing Convention C. Hymn Singing

12. A. Hymn Style in Worship Advancing from the following The Style(s) in Hymn Singing Unison first verse and last. Harmony and variation other than the first. Examples of styles: Chant, Harmonized chants, modal harmony, Luther’s choral rhythms, J.B. Bach’s chorales, Psalm tunes, Classical arrangement, Victorian hymns, Gospel songs, Folk arrangement (20th C.) Ethnic arrangements, Praise and worship, etc. etc. No retard in introduction Big retard at the end. Breathe with the congregation. Amen only for Trinitarian formula and prayers.

13. B. Hymn Playing Advancing from the following 1. The “tradition” of accompaniment and singing Good choice of tempo, organ color, and dynamics Musical and meaningful hymn introduction Good phrasing with additional breathing space Articulation (legato and non-legato) Technique of S-AT-Pedal Varied accompaniment (and why?) 2. Variation according to hymn structure, theology and musical needs Musical rendition of “simple” tunes Descants and instruments Hymn Preludes, varied accompaniments

14. C. Hymn Singing Advancing from the following 1. The best performance skills in choral music Perfect unison in pitch, dynamics, rhythm, vowels, consonants, articulation, phrasing, color, etc. Musical and unforced singing Facial expression = the meaning of the lyrics A bigger variety of vocal sound Thorough understanding of many styles Unison singing and part singing 2. Musical rendition of “simple” tunes Descants and instruments Hymn anthems, concerto, preludes, Cantata

15. Requirements for Leaders and Musicians Beware of the following • Style B. Self C. Sing D. Sense

16. Hymn Playing Beware of the following A. Style Ask difficult questions about artistry, aesthetics and sentimentalism Self Do I bring people’s attention to God, to the meaning of the text, or to my technique or cleverness C.Sing Do I like to be led in singing in this performance Sense Does my playing (conducting, leading) make any sense in relations with the congregation and the hymn-- historically, poetically, physically, mentally, spiritually, aurally, theologically, etc.

17. Requirements for Congregation Beware of the following A. God Centeredness B. Self C. Others (outsiders’ observations) D. Sense

18. Hymn Singing by Congregation Beware of the following God Centered Am I singing this TO the Lord Self Do I use hymns to pray, to pronounce my faith, to edify myself? C.Others (outsider’s observations) Do I look and sound as if I am truthful and not lying when I sing? Sense Does my singing make any sense in relations with other congregation and the hymn historically, poetically, physically, mentally, spiritually, aurally, theologically

19. Requirements for Leaders and Musicians • Watch how other churches (musicians) do • In Toronto go to Mr Maddox’s church: Yorkminster Park Baptist Church • Ask organists and musicians for comments • Ask clergymen and mature Christians C. Make a good checklist D. Listen to recordings and visit churches E. Attend organists workshops

20. Hymn Playing Watch how other churches (musicians) do Ask organists and musicians for comments Ask clergymen and mature Christians C. Make a good checklist Listen to recordings and visit churches Attend organists workshops Assuming that you have the above training and/or awareness, PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP.

21. When you listen to these recordings by church choirs Go back to the lists about good playing and good singing and be critical about these performances.

22. Workshop Seven Hymns (Six of which had been discussed in Talk No. 1 & 2 ) Analyze the hymn (musical and lyrics relationship, key words, structures, how it may function well in the worship, what might be memorable)

23. Workshop Seven Hymns (Six of which had been discussed in Talk No. 1 & 2 ) 2. How do you want to lead the hymn? (arrangement with the choir, the instrumentalists, what to say that leads people to God and the rubrics of the worship)

24. Workshop Seven Hymns (Six of which had been discussed in Talk No. 1 & 2 ) • Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be a worshipper yourself. Pray with these hymns.

25. Workshop Seven Hymns (Six of which had been discussed in Talk No. 1 & 2 ) 4. Be Sabbath conscious, leave the leadership to the Lord of Sabbath. Let every word be pastorally meaningful, every sound (note) spiritual, every movement liturgical, every thought reflects ultimate concerns.

26. Hymn No. 1 Title: Let All Mortal Fresh Keep Silence Tune: PICARDY French Traditional Source of text: 6th Century, modal harmonies Key words: lowering and raising Occasion: Introit?Eucharist? Christmas? Ascension? Form of the 4 stanzas: Parallel? Progressive? nativity, passion, transfiguration, ascension What will you do if you arrange this hymn for a choir and organ Performer:Choir of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto

27. Hymn No. 2 Title: The Day Thou Gavest, Lord Tune: ST CLEMENT Victorian Romantic Background of text: missionary movement, 1897 Queen Victoria use this for her Diamond Jubilee Service Key words: God’s Kingdom has no end Occasion: Evening? God’s Kingdom? Form of the 5 stanzas: Radiation a church worship, an Universal Church worship, the whole universe and all creatures What will you do if you arrange this hymn for a congregation, choir, organ, brasses and percussions? Performer:Royal School of Church Music, 60th Anniversary choir

28. Hymn No. 3 Title: Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise Tune: JOANNA (ST. DENIO) Welsh folk tune melody Source of text: 19th Century Key words: God’s Sovereignty Occasion: Systematic Theology? God is Light? Form of the 4 stanzas: Hebrew Form? Statement-thesis-conclusion? Beware of 1. amphibrach rhythm 2. the mid-rhyme and multi-rime What will you do if you arrange this hymn for a choir and organ Performer:St John’s College Choir, Cambridge

29. Hymn No. 4 A. Title: Drop, Drop, Slow Tears Tune: SONG 46 Orlando Gibbons’ Harmonies Source of text: 16th Century English, Phineas Fletcher Key words: Jesus’ tears? Christian’s tears? Occasion: Lent? Passion? Form of the 3 stanzas: Parallel? Three aspects of crying 1. Preparation of His death, 2. Cry for vengeance of sin, 3. Cry for repentant What will you do if you arrange this hymn for a choir and organ Performer:King’s College Choir, Cambridge

30. Hymn No. 5 Title: For All the Saints Tune: SINE NOMINE 20th C. Vaughan-Williams one of many unison hymns, model for many 20thC. Hymn styles. Source of text: William How (Oxford Movement influence) Key words: Fighting Alone? Who is with you? Occasion: Communion of the saints Form of the 5 stanzas: From 8 stanzas,which 5 stanzas will you choose? Rest-witness-model-fellowship-lone sound-multitude What will you do if you arrange this hymn for a choir, brasses and organ Performer:Cantus Choro, Faourite Hymns from The Australian Hymnbook, Melbourne

31. Hymn No. 6 Title: God Moves in A Mysterious Way Tune: Unknown Arranged by Christopher Norton Source of text: William Cowper (friend of John Newton) Key words: Job’s Understanding of God Occasion: When you are in doubt Form of the 6 stanzas: If you have to sing all 6 verses, how do you group them. What will you do if you arrange this hymn for a choir, and organ Performer:St Michael’s Singers, Coventry

32. Hymn No. 7 If we have time Title: This is My Father’s World Tune: TERRA BEATA Source of text: Malthie D. Babcock Key words: My Father’s world: world views Occasion: Children’s corner or parent’s fellowship Form of the 3 stanzas: How do you separate the two world views What will you do if you arrange this hymn for a choir, and organ Performer:We are going to perform it. Please sing in parts if possible Arrangement: please see example behind this slide.

38. Epilogue If you prepare well, You really do not have to say a lot. You do not have to conduct or make any gimmicks. Just pray hard; Let the lyrics speak to God’s people. Let go (especially if this is Sabbath), or let the Spirit works His will

39. Epilogue If you prepare well, You really do not have to say a lot. You do not have to conduct or make any gimmicks. Just pray hard; Let the lyrics speak to God’s people. Let go (especially if this is Sabbath), or let the Spirit has His own way.

40. Epilogue If you prepare well, You really do not have to say a lot. You do not have to conduct or make any gimmicks. Just pray hard; Let the lyrics speak to God’s people. Let go (especially if this is Sabbath), or let the Spirit has His own way.

41. Epilogue If you prepare well, You really do not have to say a lot. You do not have to conduct or make any gimmicks. Just pray hard; Let the lyrics speak to God’s people. Let go (especially if this is Sabbath), or let the Spirit has His own way.

42. Epilogue If you prepare well, You really do not have to say a lot. You do not have to conduct or make any gimmicks. Just pray hard; Let the lyrics speak to God’s people. Let go (especially if this is Sabbath), or let the Spirit has His own way.