Does it seem like global and personal challenges are growing daily? More than ever, we need the spiritual sustenance of hymns, Primary songs, and other sacred music.

Music has always been—and always will be—

the heart of worship, at church and in the home

Our prophet, President Russel M. Nelson has taught:

“Music has power to provide spiritual nourishment. It has healing power. It has the power to facilitate worship, allowing us to contemplate the Atonement and the Restoration of the gospel, with its saving principles and exalting ordinances. It provides power for us to express prayerful thoughts and bear testimony of sacred truths.”

With the recent Sunday schedule changes and pandemic restrictions, some have wondered if the role of music has been diminished in our worship. The answer is no.

Sacred hymns are still part of every sacrament meeting, including helping to prepare our hearts for the ordinance of the sacrament.
Our children now spend half of their time in Primary learning the gospel through music.
In the second hour [of Sunday worship], there are no opening or closing songs for adult and youth classes. But music can still be used in classes to teach and inspire.
It’s easier than ever to listen to sacred music on digital devices, using the Church’s Sacred Music app.

In reality, music is still just as essential in our worship as it has ever been. But with fewer set times for singing in some of our Sunday meetings, we do need to be more thoughtful and intentional in planning and using music. See Liahona March 2021

Having just studied Doctrine and Covenants 25, we have been reminded of how the Lord feels about music–“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart. Yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me….”

Kay Bohn

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MY CALLING

Choir Leaders

Although we’re not gathering in choirs yet . . . preparing and planning can happen now. Choir leaders include the director and others who support the choir such as the pianist, and president. Some choirs may also include section leaders. So what can you do now? Suggestions include:

Tool yourself. Learn something new about music, conducting, choirs, leadership.
Spiritually prepare by studying the scriptures, hymns, and praying about your choir.
Listen and sing at home. Encourage your choir and ward to do the same.
Make a choir calendar. Project practice and performance dates (think August)
Look for music to sing. Hymns, unison, and 2 part are a good start.
Remember to include teaching the gospel via the lyrics you sing.
Learn about how to plan an effective practice. Pray about and design your own practice time. Blogger Ashley Danyews shares her practice ideas here.

Some possible free music to consider for choir:

“This Is My Father’s World” SATB Hymn – Free

“Still Be My Vision” (with “I Stand All Amazed”) 2 part – Free

“Resurrection Hymn” SAB – Free

“For the Beauty of the Earth” SATB with organ or other solo voice – Free

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WHAT’S NEW?

MANUAL-ONLY HYMNS FOR ORGAN – Free. Simplified hymns for beginning organists. PDF from the Church music department. Organ Keyboard

Many lyricists and composers offer their works online. Some have their own websites. One such person is Andrew Moore at Latter Day Saint Musical Items. You might enjoy listening to “When Christ Shall Return” a four part hymn. The accompaniment, PDF of sheet music and practice tracks are free.

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UP AND COMING

Music Training for Wards – Ongoing all year. Contact Sister Ginger Dean or Sister Kay Bohn at coalstakemusic.com You can also text, or call to schedule.

General Conference – April 3-4. From ‘Come Follow Me’ “you might consider how the conference messages (including the music) can deepen your family’s testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Meet the ORGAN Concert – April 25th 6-7 pm Dahlonega Ward Building 7207 Dawsonville Highway, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Enjoy listening to the newest Allen LD-34 Organ and learn about it’s features. See poster below.

Stake Conference – May 15-16

Rise & Shine on YouTube – Enjoy music performed by Coal Mountain Georgia Stake members.

Virtual Concerts – learn more Through Deseret Book . Fee for tickets.

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HYMN HIGHLIGHT

What better way to celebrate the beauties of spring than by singing? Several hymns directly connect with the earth such as Hymn #62 All Creatures of Our God and King, For the Beauty of the Earth, and How Great Thou Art.

“All Creatures of our God and King” lyrics were written by Saint Francis of Assisi. From Hymnary.org we read: “Virtually blind and unable to endure daylight, St. Francis (b, Assisi, Italy, c. 1182; d. Assisi, 1226) wrote this nature hymn during the summer of 1225 in the seclusion of a hut near San Damiano, Italy.” The tune in our hymnal was written about 1900 by William Draper and later arranged by Ralph Vaughn Williams.

Listen to this fascinating podcast from the History of Hymns series from The Church of Jesus Christ Website. Watch this performance at Disney Hall 2015 –