Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalm 98:4,6

Music and American Sign Language (ASL)

Why is music important to the deaf and hard of hearing? Many hard of hearing can still hear music. It is enjoyable. The messages of music are poetic. Some music in ASL is not only poetic but visually beautiful. Music has highs and lows, rhythm, emotion, and expression. Many hymns in ASL can be found in the Church Music Library as well as Primary Music Songs.

More resources at Church of Jesus Christ ASL.

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Choir Director

Although summer is nigh, this is an opportune time to begin planning for ward choir. You could start identifying pieces for the choir to sing this fall and Christmas. Hint – practice 2-4 pieces in a choir practice to prevent practice boredom. Practices should be no more than 1 hour.

Consider starting Christmas music in Sept or Oct. Include unison singing. Tip: Sing more than you talk in practice. Here is a sample calendar:

• Aug – Practice 14th, 21st, 28th SING 28th – “I Stand All Amazed”
• Sep – Practice 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th SING 25th – “Home’s Bright Love”
• Oct – Practice 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th SING 23rd – “Come Follow Me”
• Nov – Practice 13th, 20th SING 20th – “Prayer of Thanksgiving”
• Dec – Practice 4th, 11th, 18th, Sat 24th SING 25th – “Once In Royal David’s City” , “Christmas Time Is Here”, “Angels We Have Heard On High”

We are encouraged to form ward choirs to sing regularly in sacrament meeting if possible. “The singing of hymns invites the Spirit and helps choir participants and congregations learn the gospel.”See Handbook 19.3.7.1 Ward Choirs.

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What’s New

Sacred Songs – Website Source for Free Choir Music by Sharon Bagley. Hymn arrangements.

Sing Along Videos – New and familiar songs in video with words that all ages will enjoy singing.

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Up and Coming

• Stake Choir Practice – This Sunday May 1st 7 – 8:30 at the Stake Center.

We will sing “This Is the Christ” SATB and “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” SATB arr. by Mack Wilberg. Please listen to and review the music before practice. Click on titles of music for video/audio links.

• “Something All Can Give” 2022 Annual Stake Music Training  14th May 9:30-12 for all interested in music & those with music callings. Sessions include:

• Music Coordinator as Detective & Other Job Descriptions
• No More Fear – Introduction to Organ and Piano
• Before the Meeting – Prayerful, Planned Preludes
• Singing Again and the Post Pandemic Choir
• Expanding Your Music Library: Resources & Examples
• Open Discussion About Church Music with Q&A
• Demo of ‘Other’ Instruments & Their Use

Please use the QR code below to register or email coalstakemusic@gmail.com to let us know you’re thinking of coming. We have generous, skilled teachers giving of their time that morning.

• BYU Organ Workshop – Available in person and online . Fee. August 1-4

• “Carry On” Music Festival” Coming Sept 17th. Seeking at least 1 performance group from each Ward, especially youth. Start planning and practicing during the summer. Some ideas include: Songs from “Trust in Me” the 2022 Youth Theme Album, hymn arrangements, original songs, movie/broadway songs, etc. All music and lyrics should be uplifting and in keeping with the standards found in “For the Strength of Youth”. Dance, movement, and instrumentation are welcome. Live music preferred over pre-recorded.

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Hymn Highlight

Let Us All Press On   Hymn #243

How closely do we pay attention to the hymn lyrics as we sing them? We might at times read through the words for comfort, knowledge, reassurance, etc. but likely we also may sing them without giving much thought to the words and message.

Elder David A. Bednar taught us about avoiding temptation and sin, using the lyrics of “Let Us All Press On” in the last General Conference. The refrain says:

“We will heed not what the wicked may say, but the Lord alone we will obey. . . If we do what’s right we have no need to fear, for the Lord, our helper, will ever be near.”

Our connection with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can enable us to ‘fear not, though the enemy deride’ and we can take ‘courage, for the Lord is on our side’ as the hymn states. When we are truly trying to live the gospel, unseen powers ‘will aid me and you in the glorious cause of truth’. Let us pick up our swords of truth as we ‘fight for right’.

Note: Evan Stephens 1854-1930, wrote both the text and music of this hymn. He is attributed to 18 other hymns included in our current hymnal.

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Watch This

“Light Beyond Shadow” is a new choral piece by Dan Forrest. Full of hope and beauty.

‘Heal Our Land’. Words by late Senator Orin Hatch and music by Janice Kapp Perry. Wintley Phipps sings.