What does a music director do?
So what does a music director do?
Sings! Plays! Ok, last week that took about 37 ½ minutes. What does the music director do the rest of the week? Picks out music. Suggests hymns to the pastor. Gets the words ready for the screens. Reports the songs we sing on Sundays. Cleans up after the band. Files used music away. And then there’s the fun stuff: Rehearsals! Writes music for the band! Plans future music! For the band! And the choir! (which we start in the Fall) And the kids! And the preludes! And the postludes! And the offerings! And the occasional funeral. And then there’s practice, practice, practice. My life is full of music. Chances are when you come over and ask what we sang last week, or an hour ago, I can’t remember because my head is so full of music.
Why do we use different music? We could just do the same songs over and over again. Well, some songs do get sung over and over again, and that’s okay. I believe that our music helps us to worship God. Music brings our thoughts and responses to a different level that is so essential to our worship of God. And singing songs together as a congregation is a rare opportunity to breathe together, exclaim our praises to God out loud together, feel that sense of belonging and togetherness as a congregation, and experience emotions together, whether they are joy, sadness, purpose, love. That sense of community, of family, is essential to our well-being and continued satisfaction of our time spent here on earth.
We were created to worship God. When we get to do that in song, it fulfills a deep desire within us that is hardwired to our brains. John Wesley, the founder of methodism, has even given us directions for it. If you can put your hands on a Methodist Hymnal, his directions for singing can be found in the first couple pages. My favorite of these directions is Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength. Be no more afraid of your voice now, nor more ashamed of its being heard. This applies to all forms of worship arts: instruments, movement, dancing, poetry, and visual arts, such as painting murals or creating banners. The cornerstone of worship music and arts is to follow our passions and use our artistic and musical abilities in a way that is pleasing to God. We all have our gifts and talents in different things, and when we put them together as a congregation, it is a beautiful symphony, unique and wonderful, worshiping our God who created us for that single purpose.
Wright’s Chapel is such a delightful masterpiece of distinctive gifts and talents. Many of you have sought me out to offer your music. But I suspect there are many that have not yet. Dust off that clarinet or horn or guitar in the closet and start playing again! Or start learning on your own, or with a little help. Sing in the shower or in your car at the top of your voice to clear the cobwebs out of your lungs! But most of all, do not fear what you already possess: the means to worship God to the very best of your ability. See you Sunday!