Greetings - Music Makers

[fraserw1]

Greetings.
How valuable to have a forum on which we can discuss our music making as we minister in God's temple.
We need firstly to be clear about our objectives. Music is of little value for its own sake in a Christian Church - the church is not a conservatorium of music. But music has much value as a means for God's people to offer their praise, both individually and collectively to their God. In that regard, we in the RSCM have to be careful not to impose our ideas on the worshippers, so easy to do, but rather to be facilitators - working with and involving the worshippers by providing music that is meaningful and helpful to them.
Also significant is the need for constant prayer. If we are acting in God's name, how important to regularly and earnestly commit our efforts to the throne of Grace to ensure they are pleasing to God and likely to be used by God. I have always found challenging the incident where Jesus commended the tax collector who could merely manage, "Lord be merciful to me a sinner" rather rather that the Pharisee who thought he was good at praying (Luke 18:13). Our prayers may often seem faltering, but we are enjoined to be both bold in seeking God's enabling and expectant of God's blessings.
Best wishes and good music making.
Bill Fraser

[Gemmster]

Hmmm Bill, that's very utopic of you.

Did you know that the majority of major church organists in the world aren't Christian? Many of them turned away from the church by their many problems with the politics of church and music. I know I certainly have been turned away from the church as an institute from my experiences with church music politics.

The thing is, congregations can have quality church music if they want, however not all the musicians will be playing for God. (Some will, of course. And some will be playing for God but not the church, if you know what I mean). If you want to restrict church music to ONLY those who believe, well you aren't going to have much quality church music around.

Just a thought.

[Nigel Poole]

Re Bill's remark about the church not being a music conservatorium:

Perhaps we should be careful not to blur the distinction between leading the worship (the role of the clergy) and supporting the music that accompanies it (the role of the RSCM).

UK headquarters, on its website, describes the RSCM as an "open, life-long learning organization". As well as supporting music through things like publications, workshops and local events, it cites its three core programs as: Voice For Life, Church Music Skills, Sacred Music Studies. (http://www.rscm.com/about_us/index.php)

Bill may be right in saying that the church itself is not a conservatorium of music (although all musical training emerged from within the churches a few centuries ago, and plenty of training and learning still occurs within church choirs), however it seems to me that with its focus on education, the RSCM could easily be described as a conservatorium!