Music Matters  | |
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Music Matters
July 2010
Introducing Hymns
What’s the best way to introduce a hymn? Play it all the way through? Play
just the last line? Play a combination of lines? Play something else?
This is one of those questions to which there is not a “one-size-fits-all”
answer. There are a number of factors that need to be considered.
How familiar is the congregation with the hymn?
If it is one of the congregational favorites, then the last line
(or a combination of first and last lines) may be sufficient.
If it is new, however, the hymn should be played all the way
through to remind the congregation of the tune.
How long is the planned service?
In services with many elements, serious consideration should be
given to shortened introductions in order to keep the service within
the expected time-frame.
Is the musician comfortable with the hymn?
Sometimes we as musicians need to play the hymn all the way
through in order to remind ourselves of any potential problem places
we discovered during our practice sessions.
Is the congregation “musically aware”?
Some congregations may enjoy alternative introductions that may
not necessarily be simply a playing through of the hymn. There are
many books containing alternative introductions as well as
alternative harmonizations. Care should be taken in selecting the
introduction—each should be played through before determining
whether it is usable for a particular congregation. It should always
be very clear exactly where the congregation is supposed to begin
singing.
Are there challenges with setting a tempo for the congregation?
Playing the hymn all the way through can help the musician set
an appropriate tempo for the hymn in the context of the service.
If the congregation tends to drag the tempo, playing the hymn
all the way through can help the musician set a tempo. This may not
necessarily mean that the congregation will immediately follow it,
but it is a start.
Are there tricky rhythms or pauses within the hymn?
Playing the hymn all the way through, or making sure those
spots are part of a shortened introduction, can help the congregation be
prepared for the timing when they sing. (An example is “How Can I Keep from
Singing,” a hymn in which many congregations place a fermata in the final
phrase – the introduction can help the congregation know exactly how long
that note will be held.)
The main criteria for introducing a hymn is to do it in such a way that the
congregation will feel confident about when it is time to come in, what the
tempo is, and know they will have time to breathe. A congregation of confident
singers is a happy congregation!
—Pam Robison
If you have suggestions or ideas for future columns, please contact:
Jan Kraybill
Principal
Organist
Community of Christ Headquarters
Independence, MO, USA
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