Four Things to Know About the Festival Choir

Our Festival Choir works hard every week to support our liturgy, enliven our hymn singing, and to add beauty to our worship. It can be easy to take their presence for granted so that it feels like part of our Sunday routine. The truth is that hard work and commitment (attending rehearsals, practicing, regular attendance) are indispensable in our weekly proclamation of the gospel.

I am grateful for each voice in our choir.

Choirs enliven liturgical worship. Here are four reasons why.

1.       Liturgical worship works best when a core group practices the hymns and liturgy with special intent.
          The Festival Choir’s primary reason for being is to support and embolden the assembly’s song. Since the Reformation began, Lutheran churches have claimed congregational song as the pre-eminent music of the church. As the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians Statement on Worship and Music makes clear: It is not enough that people are merely present at worship. Faith inevitably erupts in song.
          The choir meets each week to prepare liturgy, anthems, and hymns so that the assembly, even when something is brand new, is encouraged in its singing.

2.       Choral and instrumental music (including handbells) sweetens the assembly’s song.
          The Festival Choir also rehearses more artistic, complicated music that the assembly couldn’t possibly sing without intensive rehearsal time. The musical offering doesn’t exist for the purpose of performance; rather, it is a gospel-proclaiming vehicle that enriches and elevates our worship.

3.       Choirs preserve our musical heritage and encourage the voices of new composers.

          The rich musical heritage of Lutherans deserves to be heard a remain active in the church’s song today. Bach cantatas, sacred renaissance polyphony, and choral motets weren’t written for college choirs in grand concert halls. They were written to be the “living voice of the gospel.” They remind us that our faith has a vibrant history and is connected to a tradition the predates us.
          At the same time, church choirs like ours give living composers and poets cause to add to the church’s song. If their works weren’t purchased and performed, they would have to make their livelihood by some other means. Also, choirs enjoy the challenge of new music.

4.           Church music promotes Christian formation.

                Hymns and liturgy echo and support the readings for the day. Carefully selected hymns remind us of the church’s teachings and affirm the promises we made in baptism.

 

2006 Dedication of Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Photo by Bill Daugherty.

One more important point!

          The success of a church choir depends on regular participation.    Without a sufficient number of singers, a choir cannot flourish. That’s why we need more singers in our choir. All voice parts are welcome, but we have a special need for sopranos and altos. If you enjoy singing, we invite you to lift your voice with ours in ministry to people of St. Mark’s and our praise of God.

          Contact Tony Cruz or any choir member for more information.

          Please join us.