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Tackling
Tough Tunes
A
suggestion for singing more difficult hymn melodies in Christian Worship
Occasionally
the suggested Hymn of the Day for a particular Sunday uses a melody that’s
unfamiliar or difficult to sing (or both).
There are other times when the preacher would like to choose a specific
hymn text that fits well with his sermon, but the tune assigned to the hymn text
will be a challenge for his congregation. In
order to preserve some of the great hymn texts of our Lutheran heritage, here
are a few suggested approaches for familiarizing your parishioners with
challenging hymn melodies. The
District Commission on Worship offers these suggestions with the hope that they
will serve as a springboard for other suggestions, ideas, and approaches to
introducing new or unfamiliar hymn melodies in our services.
For
any challenging hymn tune:
- Have the choir or soloist sing the first one or two stanzas; when
the congregation joins, continue to have the choir sing in order to
“lead” the assembly’s singing.
- Have the organist play only the melody in octaves for the first
stanza sung by the congregation; then play the melody in octaves with the
regular bass part in the pedal for the congregation’s second stanza; play
the regular four-part setting for the congregation’s remaining stanzas.
- A more accomplished organist could play the melody with a “solo
registration” (such as a trumpet stop) in the right hand, the alto and
tenor with a soft accompaniment in the left hand, and the bass in the pedal.
This could be done both for hymn introductions or for stanzas sung by
the congregation.
- Add a solo instrument (such as a trumpet) playing the melody on the
first and last stanzas sung by the congregation.
- The
organist can use hymn preludes that use the melody of the hymn for
preservice music.
Examples
for specific hymns:
Note:
In each of
the following examples, the congregation sings the rest of the hymn after the
choir introduces the first one or two stanzas.
- To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord (CW
#88): Soloist or unison choir sings stanza one.
Women of the choir sing stanza two in unison through the phrase,
“Which we do well to ponder.” Men
of the choir sing stanza two in unison starting with the phrase, “This man
is my beloved Son” (men’s voices used to quote the words of God
the Father).
- Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands
(CW #161): Unison men and women alternate throughout the first stanza of the
hymn:
Men: Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong
bands
For our offenses given;
Women:
But now and God’s right hand he stands
And brings us life from heaven.
Men: Therefore let us joyful be
Women:
And sing to God right thankfully
All:
Loud songs of hallelujah. Hallelujah!
- Jesus, Lover of My Soul (CW #357): Soloist or unison choir sings stanza
one. Two soloists or two-voice
choir sings stanza two unaccompanied in a canon (round): second voice begins
when first voice sings the first beat of the second measure.
- I Trust, O Christ, in You Alone (CW #437): Soloist or unison choir sings
stanza one at regular volume. Unison
or four-part choir sings stanza two quietly and “wearily” (reflecting
the text).
- In the Midst of Earthly Life (CW #534): Female soloist or the women
in the choir sing first half of stanza one; rest of choir joins at the
words, “Holy and righteous God!” Same
for stanza two except that the stanza begins with a male soloist or the men
in the choir.
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