My father was a church choir director. When I was a kid, every summer about this time we would drive four hours to a “Super Target” of music stores for a summer buying trip. Two days later we drove home with anywhere from 80–100 octavo review copies.
Then the real fun began—sitting at the piano, night after night, playing and singing through each piece as they were sorted into three piles: yes, no, maybe.
That’s the way it was before websites and newsletters like this one. But the challenge then and now is the same: so much music, so little time. How do you pick and choose and make the most of your summer planning time?
As you look at the mountain of options, remember the wisdom of Ecclesiastes: “To everything there is a season…” This includes music throughout the church year! So here are some questions:
• How does your congregation celebrate? What are the most holy days, the times when special music needs to be really special? These are anchor points as you look at the year ahead. What will it take to prepare for these?
● Next, when are your people around? Can you start your new music season in mid-August or is mid-October more realistic? How many weeks after Easter will you have a critical mass of singers/ringers/instrumentalists?
● With those two realities in place, here comes the critical question: how can you best tell the story of Jesus through music in ways your congregation (especially the newest people) will understand and experience it?
You don’t have to make this up from scratch. The church year is your friend whether your congregation strictly follows the liturgical seasons or not. Our principal job as Christians is to learn and share the Good News of Jesus. The cycle of seasons does just that—and while each season probably deserves its own blog post, here is a quick refresher:
● Advent – four weeks of prophecy and preparation leading up to Christmas
● Christmas – (not just Christmas Eve) that tells the story of Emmanuel—God with us
● Epiphany – the weeks between Christmas and Lent when we get to focus on miracles and revelation of who this Jesus really is
● Lent – six weeks of prayer and spiritual growth
● Holy Week – telling the story of Jesus’ compassion, crucifixion, and death
● Easter – (not just the day) six weeks of resurrection celebration
● Pentecost – celebrating the person and power of the Holy Spirit
As you get the themes sorted, it’s time to think about your musicians and their abilities. Or, in the spirit of Ecclesiastes, a time to challenge and a time to cruise!
● What music will challenge your people? No one wants to sing or play the same old thing over and over (although there is a time for that—see below). By the same token, no one wants to be pushed beyond any possibility of accomplishment. What pieces can help your people grow to the next level musically and spiritually? What new style, techniques, instrumentations, texts can give them a real sense of accomplishment?
● Balancing that is the music that will bring them the most joy, music they have fun singing/learning. What music could fill your worship space with the joy of the Lord?
● Finally, always watch for music that can become a “heart song.” This may be a particularly luscious setting of a beloved hymn chorus. It may be another piece by a composer they have learned to love. These are the new finds that quickly become old friends—the things they’ll want to sing and play every chance they get.
Speaking of singing and playing again and again, one final consideration is the time to remember and the time to teach.
● The 80/20 rule—not that one! Repeat 80% of the music from last year and add 20% from new sources and composers. I started doing this years ago in many different situations with many different types of ensembles, and it has never let me down. If you follow this pattern, by year five you are going to have introduced a whole new repertoire!
● Create a no-surprise zone in the music ministry. As much as possible, make sure your musicians are rehearsed and comfortable with the music and the leadership expectations before they actually lead in worship. This is especially true for worship teams! Our calling is to lead the community in worship, and no one can lead what they don’t know.
● Finally, keep it fun and focused. As you plan the year ahead, make sure to include music that will be fun to learn, and make absolutely sure the music you select always points beyond the ensemble to our Lord and Savior.
SO much music, SO little time… SO, make it a treasure hunt, and with your congregation in mind, find the gems that are waiting to be discovered!
Loving God, you desire both our worship and our joy. Help your musical children experience your joy as they sort and select, plan and rehearse, and nurture your people in the joy of music. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
