On Eagle's Wings

After the Christmas season, our choir took several weeks off. We supplemented with "Special Music" in the meantime. Today was the first time we performed, but we had no opportunity to rehearse.

Some time ago, I put aside a particular arrangement of "On Eagle's Wings" for just such a situation. This anthem is often performed at funerals, which always come without prior knowledge. In case we have to assemble a choir quickly, and perform at a moment's notice, we have this arrangement in our back pocket. It's very simple: Mostly melody with a "Descant" harmony on the choruses. Often, I'm the one who sings the descant, while the choir, and congregation sing the melody.

So, we performed it today. Not just because of the lack of rehearsal, but it was oddly fitting for the lectionary readings which dealt with putting aside worries, and trusting in God. That, and the Inauguration of Donald Trump happening 2 days ago.

Like many Americans, I find Trump's appointment to the highest office in the land frustrating. In the words written by the cast of "Hamilton;" I, too, am "alarmed and anxious" over it. So, faced with the possibility of an oppressive four years under President Trump, I found solace in singing words such as...

"You need not fear the terror of the night, Nor the arrow that flies by day
Though thousands fall about you, Near you it shall not come.
For to His angels He's given a command, To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up Lest you dash your foot against a stone."

But as I sang, another thought occurred to me. Trump's speech on Friday had a frightening tone to it. He described a nightmarish vision of the state of the country.

"Mothers and children trapped in poverty in our inner cities; rusted-out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our nation; an education system flush with cash, but which leaves our young and beautiful students deprived of knowledge; and the crime and gangs and drugs that have stolen too many lives and robbed our country of so much unrealized potential."
Which he finished with...

"This American carnage stops right here and stops right now."

His entire speech had roughly a similar message as "On Eagle's Wings."  The only difference is that in his speech, he states that we should be relieved that he's in power now, to save us from the troubles of the world; and in the song, we turn to God to save us from the troubles of the world.

You might hear "On Eagle's Wings" and find a different meaning, depending on which set of "facts" you choose to believe; the country is either now in serious trouble for the next 4 years, or it has been for the past 8 years.

What's important to me as a Christian, is whom each scenario turns to for protection and relief. Should we turn to President Trump, or to God? I don't think it's my place to tell you what to believe; but I believe that one of those answers is inherently blasphemous. Even if you do believe that the country needs saving from the current state in Washington, it should be God who guides you, protects you, and gives you solace, not the President, be it President Obama, or President Trump.

As President Lincoln said, "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Psalm 91:1-12

2017 - New Year's Resolution

Greetings! My New year's resolution for 2017 is to blog again. No longer blogging just for my own sake, but working towards an eventual book. So I want to develop the habit of writing every Sunday after services. I may comment on that day's message, or on musical experiences from the day.
To start the year right, I'd like to re-purpose a blog entry from 2011 titled, "Don't Matter if it's Not Good Enough." Enjoy.

Several years ago, I set out to arrange some Christmas Music, and one of the first songs on my list was "Little Drummer Boy." I've always loved this song; but I didn't know why I loved this song so much until I got down to arranging. I wanted to do something truly original with the song, and the key, for me, was the "Pa-rum-pa-pum-pums." I'm sure it's clear to everyone that "Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum" is the sound of the little boy's drum; but I wanted to emphasize that.

I considered having a complete drum accompaniment, which became too noisy. I tried an a cappella accompaniment of voices repeating "Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum" over and over, but that didn't work either. Finally, I explored the lyrics and had an idea. Just as the boy in the song plays the drum for the baby Jesus, I play piano. So, I rearranged the song using piano as accompaniment. I'd sing each line, and play an accompanying figure for each "Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum." It refocuses the song and allows the story to shine.

"Come, they told me, a newborn King to see. Our finest gifts we bring, to set before the king, so to honor him when we come. Little Baby, I am a poor boy, too. I have no gift to bring, that's fit to give a king. Shall I play for you? (on my drum)." (Of course, I don't play a drum in my version, so I omit that line.)

The tale is now no longer about a fictional boy visiting the manger, but it's about me. I'm coming before our king and, having no proper gifts to bring, will honor Him with my music.

Then I get to the final verse. "Mary nodded. The Ox and Lamb kept time. I played, I played for Him. I played my best for Him."

At this point of my arrangement, I launch into a few minutes of improvised piano soloing. I purposely did not compose, arrange, or otherwise plan out this section. I want every performance to be "in the moment." I want to freely express myself musically at that moment. And like all improvisation; sometimes it's good, and sometimes, not so much.

There have been performances where I really stink up the place with my playing of this section. I've had rare glimpses of brilliance, but often, it's rather mediocre. I'll admit, it frustrates me when my improvisation isn't up to my own standards. I recall one of the first times I tried the piece, it wasn't that great, and I felt horribly embarrassed. Then I finished singing...

"Then He smiled at me..."

Since I omit "Me and my drum", my song ends here. I realized that this line is the most important. Jesus is pleased with my gift of music, even when the human standards by which I gauge it tell me that it's sub-par. It's not important to Him that I perform amazingly. It's not important to Him that I be perfect. It's important to Him that I perform. That I lift my voice, and my fingers in praise. That I use my gifts, and help others to do so as well.

Often, musicians are encouraged to strive for perfection. And that's a good thing, because who wants to hear music that has incorrect notes in it. But when musicians are obsessed with perfection, it can drive you crazy, and it leads to a condescension that not everyone is cut out to make music. One of the best choices I ever made in my life is letting go of perfectionism, and just enjoying the music making process. Letting go of the feeling of having to be the best, and enjoying the act of being the best I can be. No longer seeing the world as people who are good at music, and those who aren't; and instead embracing a world where every person can be taught to sing and join in with the songs.

My very controversial view of choral singing is that even if you aren't a skilled singer, I can teach you. I've never cut a person from my choir because of a lack of singing ability. Instead I've worked to help them improve their sense of pitch, improve their tone, or just worked to help learn the parts. That way, ideally, everyone can join in with the hymns, anthems and songs of the church service.

A thousand years ago, the Catholic church firmly believed that it was inappropriate to speak prayers; they needed to be sung, or they believed God didn't hear you. I don't believe that, but I DO believe that when a person sings, he prays twice. I am pleased that SUMC includes so much music in their service. Music sends the message directly to your heart and soul as spoken word never can. And when we sing, and express our joy, love, and faith in that way, Jesus smiles at us.

Lord, may our voices raise in pleasing song to your glory. And give our congregation the courage and confidence to raise their own voices in praise to you. And may it make you smile. In Jesus' name we pray.
AMEN

31 These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there. ³² They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them.  - 1 Chronicles 6:31-32

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:18-20