This month, our theme is Rituals. Music has such a profound role in rituals at a church service. Before I mention that, my mind goes to the music used in movies or TV shows. Without music, shows might be devoid of feeling, definitely rendering them incomplete. As part of a show, I can see someone walking down a darkly-lit path at night. With benign music, why should we even watch? Yet in that same scene, imagine that drums are beating a heartbeat tempo, getting louder, then violins or string bass are added to the mix. Now, we know to anticipate something that could be scary. The music precedes the action. We have to watch to find out! What kept us watching that scene? The music. Music is the transition between scenes; it is the glue that holds a story together. While it is essential, it does not tell a story. Rather it helps to tell the story.
Now, circling back to the ritual of our worship services. The Order of Service brings clarity to the sections of the ritual that is about to happen. We alternate music with words so that they reinforce each other. The music is equal to the sermon and the readings, and we, the congregation, process each in a different way. The music and words reinforce each other. The composite of the two together creates a deeper spiritual impact that is transformative. The two help each other.
One very special thing that is happening right now is that we are finding new and exciting ways to mix words with music. We can infuse chanting in the middle of a song and then return to sing the next verse. The music moves the message forward, bringing love, compassion, gratitude, empathy, joy, even dancing and shouting, “Amen!” I hope that this month, you notice how the music in our services mixes with the verbal sections of the rituals that serve us so well in worship.
Music in May:
May 3rd: The First Parish Choir will be singing songs to honor mothers:
“Loves Me Like a Rock” by Paul Simon
“Message Out to Sea..(Dear Mom)” by Saunder Choi, lyrics by Brian Sonia-Wallace
May 9th: SO MUCH MUSIC at the Variety Show!
May 10: Music with chanting in celebrating the Buddha’s birth.
May 17: Special music will include Laurie Wadsworth and Charlyn Bethell playing oboe and English Horn together.
May 31st: The First Parish Choir will be assisting in Kyle Belmont’s ordination by singing “Crowded Table.”
Charlyn Bethell
Charlyn’s professional training has followed two paths: as a professional oboist and as a music teacher and conductor. As Music Director at First Parish, she joins these two paths of her musical life, conducting the choir, coordinating guest musicians, and performing on oboe.