Of Converts, Choirs and Misguided Bishops

[FarrahWaters]

Originally Posted by Requiem

The point is there are rarely sung hymns (e.g. Cast thy Burden Upon the Lord) that are excellent. Too often, we get stuck on only singing the familiar hymns ad nauseum. I am often tempted while sitting at the organ to suddenly go off like the organist in the "Simpsons" and play a rousing version of "Inagaddadavida". But then I realize that, like Arch says, everyone is asleep and wouldn't notice (excluding the bishop of course).

Notwithstanding the above, the current hymnal is in dire need of overhaul. I am interested in what non-LDS religious music has touched CG hearts?

In my opinion, the hymn with the cheesiest lyrics has got to be "Love at Home".

I'd be interested to hear of favorite non-LDS religious music, as I'm trying to put together some music too. I'm afraid I'm not very familiar with any, outside of the classical repertoire. I'm planning an organ/piano duet of a movement of Brahm's Requiem, but that's about it.

[Indy Coug]

This is why the Religion forum on CG is becoming completely useless. It's an unending cycle of someone saying something only to have that statement deliberately misrepresented, ascribing mindless and baseless characterizations to that person and leaving nothing substantive as a response to the actual point made.

What a waste of 10 minutes that was browsing through this thread.

[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Tex

I said I was done, but I want to respond to this.

"Fighting close-mindedness against anything atypical to the white Mormon culture" is what this thread is about, and is the "agenda" I spoke of earlier.

A bishop's desire to confine sacrament meeting choir numbers to the hymnal has nothing to do with white Mormon culture, and it's unfortunate this incident is being used by folks here as a springboard to advance their little agendas within the church.

Tex, you are really lacking in imagination if you don't see the inherent elegance, the underlying symbolism and motifs in Requim's story, which to me reads much like a parable.

Tex would read the Brother's Karamazov and say it was a whodunit murder mystery about four sons who hated their father, one of whom murdered him.

Tex, don't go. Who will replace you. Please don't go. (Please add my statement that you're an empty headed racist to your signature.)

[Venkman]

Originally Posted by YOhio

http://www.stryper.com/

Awesome, they're still around!

Too bad I'll miss this show:



TOUR DATE ADDED
April 28th, Atlanta GA
Stryper will be performing in Atlanta GA on April 28, 2007.
XXXchurch.com (the #1 Christian porn website) and World Impact Wrestling present a night of wrestling, music and debate. Featuring a performance by STRYPER and "The Great Porn Debate" between Craig Gross of XXXchurch and Ron Jeremy, adult porn star.

[SoCalCoug]

Originally Posted by Venkman

Awesome, they're still around!

Too bad I'll miss this show:



TOUR DATE ADDED
April 28th, Atlanta GA
Stryper will be performing in Atlanta GA on April 28, 2007.
XXXchurch.com (the #1 Christian porn website) and World Impact Wrestling present a night of wrestling, music and debate. Featuring a performance by STRYPER and "The Great Porn Debate" between Craig Gross of XXXchurch and Ron Jeremy, adult porn star.

Christian porn? Are the models all wearing crosses?

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by FarrahWaters

In my opinion, the hymn with the cheesiest lyrics has got to be "Love at Home".

I'd be interested to hear of favorite non-LDS religious music, as I'm trying to put together some music too. I'm afraid I'm not very familiar with any, outside of the classical repertoire. I'm planning an organ/piano duet of a movement of Brahm's Requiem, but that's about it.

Great choice of music! My avatar is a page from Brahm's German Requiem written in his hand. It is absolutely one of the most inspirational works ever composed.

Interesting that Brahms encountered his own version of musical religious bias by composing a solemn Requiem Mass to be premiered in Protestant northern Germany. First the Protestants gave him a lukewarm reception, and when he took it to largely Catholic southern Germany and France, the audiences and critics were overwhelmingly negative (how dare a Protestant write a Requiem Mass). It was only when the work was performed in England and the U.S. that it received well deserved praise.

Making life a bliss complete...

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

that reminds me of a missionary companion whose family had prepared to sing amazing grace at his farewell (they were one of those musical von trapp families). His bishop nixed it.

Think of that... Amazing grace what is wrong with that song?

Can't leave this thread without commenting on Amazing Grace. I have heard it performed at several LDS funerals - both in chapels and by bagpipers at cemeteries. It is entirely appropriate in an LDS congregation - the Tabernacle Choir has sung it many times and even released a recorded version. The Tab Choir sends out not so subtle signals of acceptability when they perform a song at the Conference Center. Mormon folklore implies that Amazing Grace was not considered acceptable because it was commonly sung at revival meetings.

Like most early hymns, Amazing Grace was originally written as words only and chanted during services. When it was brought to America, the familiar melody originally composed for the plantation song (oh, the shame) Loving Lambs was attached to the words.

In the case of congregational hymns, any hymn can be sung to a number of different tunes that simply match the meter of the text. If you really want to hear an absolutely riveting rendition of Amazing Grace, get the version that uses the tune from the House of the Rising Sun - the familiar 60's pop song. It is actually very spiritual, but probably won't be performed soon at a ward house near you - unless FW brings it to her ward.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Requiem

Can't leave this thread without commenting on Amazing Grace. I have heard it performed at several LDS funerals - both in chapels and by bagpipers at cemeteries. It is entirely appropriate in an LDS congregation - the Tabernacle Choir has sung it many times and even released a recorded version. The Tab Choir sends out not so subtle signals of acceptability when they perform a song at the Conference Center. Mormon folklore implies that Amazing Grace was not considered acceptable because it was commonly sung at revival meetings.

For what it's worth, not every song (or arrangement) "appropriate in an LDS congregation" is appropriate for a sacrament meeting. Baptismal services, firesides, sacrament meetings, General Conference, stake conferences, etc. do not all share the same musical standard.

I've heard Amazing Grace sung at baptismal services before, at the request of new members, and I think it can be wonderfully appropriate. One particularly moving version of that hymn I heard was sung by two (white) sister missionaries at a (black) convert family's baptism. I don't think you're likely to hear it sung in General Conference, but I could always be wrong.

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by Tex

For what it's worth, not every song (or arrangement) "appropriate in an LDS congregation" is appropriate for a sacrament meeting. Baptismal services, firesides, sacrament meetings, General Conference, stake conferences, etc. do not all share the same musical standard.

I am genuinely interested in why you don't think Amazing Grace would be appropriate for a choir number at a Sacrament Meeting? It does not espouse false doctrine, adds to the spiritual atmosphere and is not in conflict with any explicit Church guidelines.

I believe we (myself included) can get far too hung up on the perceived letter of the law at the expense of seeking those things that enhance the spirit. One of the positive thoughts expressed in this thread is the notion that local congregations/wards should be allowed to use music that, within reasonable limits, meets the musical preferences of the members.

We don't need to be commanded in all things. Free agency is part of the Lord's plan.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Requiem

I am genuinely interested in why you don't think Amazing Grace would be appropriate for a choir number at a Sacrament Meeting? It does not espouse false doctrine, adds to the spiritual atmosphere and is not in conflict with any explicit Church guidelines.

I believe we (myself included) can get far too hung up on the perceived letter of the law at the expense of seeking those things that enhance the spirit. One of the positive thoughts expressed in this thread is the notion that local congregations/wards should be allowed to use music that, within reasonable limits, meets the musical preferences of the members.

We don't need to be commanded in all things. Free agency is part of the Lord's plan.

The music standard imposed by the Church seems to have originated when loud, disruptive rock type Christian music was being written and played. I don't have immediate proof that my supposition was its origin, but that's how it was explained to me.

And I can appreciate the concept of reverence, but not how it is currently interpreted. I also take hope from the efforts of Sister Knight and her counsel which she received from President Hinckley. When queried about the Church, she commented about how she loved the Church but that its music needed a certain spicing up. To which President Hinckley responded, "what are you going to do about that?"