Redemption

[Requiem]

Some of you may be interested in a follow-up to the ward choir incident that occurred on Sunday, July 29, and was discussed last week in CG. This discussion involved the circumstances surrounding a bishop who refused to allow our choir to sing a version of the African American spiritual Deep River. I am particularly grateful for the candid and valuable advice received from this forum. Despite the occasionally emotional rhetoric (I plead guilty), CG is an amazing site. I appreciate your diverse and at times eclectic opinions - never a dull moment.

Last Thursday evening, the choir director and I met with the Stake President. He was well prepared and the meeting included his first counselor. After an opening prayer, the SP began the meeting by apologizing for the bishop's actions. To our amazement, the first counselor then recounted some of his experiences as an 18 year member of the Tabernacle Choir. He told us this particular incident prompted him to place a call to his former Tab Choir assistant director.

Their discussion included a review of the appropriateness of Deep River in a sacrament meeting (yes), and music management at the ward level. Bottom line is that "appropriate" music outside of the hymnal repertoire is acceptable in sacrament meetings. Bishops have the responsibility to administer ward music with a focus on enhancing the spirit. Most importantly, bishops are also charged with being receptive to "adapting music in accordance with the culture and tastes of local congregations". Apparently this is a very sensitive and visible issue in SLC and will be addressed in bishop training documents and a planned letter from the First Presidency.

The first counselor recounted how the Tab is often frustrated with "clumsy" LDS editing of traditional Christian hymns. Out of respect for the original composers, the Tab always attempts to sing hymns in their original form. He cited a great example of the beautiful hymn, Be Still My Soul, which is based on the haunting melody of Finlandia by Sibelius. In the LDS hymnal (page 124), two of the original verses are deleted - more on that later.

After a very spiritual discussion, the SP excused himself and left the office. He returned shortly thereafter accompanied by the bishop. Both had tears in their eyes. The bishop offered a heartfelt and sincere apology and shortly we were all in tears. It was one of the most spiritual moments of my life.

We then discussed ward music going forward. This was addressed primarily with the choir director. Deep River will be performed in a September sacrament meeting; the bishop and choir director will meet monthly to discuss music and the choir.

Then another miracle occurred. In their collective wisdom, the first counselor and choir director picked up on the earlier discussion of Be Still My Soul. The decision was quickly made to perform this number in its entirety at yesterday's sacrament meeting. The first counselor agreed to provide an arrangement including the "missing" two verses, and the bishop promised to call each choir member with an invitation to perform.

It all came together yesterday in magnificent fashion. Each of the choir members returned and performed with great spirit and musical discipline. At the conclusion of the song, there was a beautiful silence, most of the congregation were openly weeping and the spirit descended in abundance.

For those of you who are interested, here are the "missing" verses to Be Still My Soul:

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Thanks to those you of you on CG who offered guidance. It made all the difference.

[Archaea]

Wonderful report. Thank you for sharing. Did the new choir members comment or were they aware of what you two did to make this possible?

[Tex]

Good for you. Glad to hear it all worked out. Sounds like both men were equal to their call.

[MikeWaters]

I think this shows that sometimes being proactive about something that bothers you can lead to a greater measure of joy.

[Detroitdad]

That is a highly encouraging story.

[Sleeping in EQ]

You cared enough to be both polite and proactive. Well done. You were equal to your responsibility as a member of the Church.

This is exactly the sort of thing that is healthy for an organization.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I think this shows that sometimes being proactive about something that bothers you can lead to a greater measure of joy.

If done tactfully, our humble leaders will recognize errors and great progress can be achieved. The bishop is probably grateful Requiem took the tactful steps which she did.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by Archaea

Wonderful report. Thank you for sharing. Did the new choir members comment or were they aware of what you two did to make this possible?

Interesting question. In his phone calls to each choir member, the bishop referenced the actions of the choir director in a positive fashion. You may also be interested to know what occurred after the song concluded. It was fast Sunday and we performed the number after the sacrament. Three of the African American choir members bore their testimonies for the first time and spoke about the importance of music in their lives (one brother even described it as "gospel" music). Talk about powerful.

[SteelBlue]

Thanks for the update Requiem. That's a very moving story on many levels.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Requiem, that is a wonderful story. Thanks for the follow-up. You just made my day.