Listers:
This has been a marvelous and thought provoking discussion. It has been enjoyable to
read the responses and recognize the respect for other's opinions. I guess I might as
well weigh in on the issue as well.
I have continually fought the battle against the "Top 40" popular today/forgotten
tomorrow programming within the church and school. Yes, even within the church we
find the latest is the greatest fad. Since, to me, one of the purposes of church
music is to edify, often the "vernacular" taste is overlooked. Many times it is
catered to exclusively. I always thought that as a minister of music it was my job to
program something that everyone could relate to at least once or twice a year and
avoid pandering to any one person's idea (even mine) of what makes a worthy selection
and what does not. There are some style that I do not use because of the connotations
associate with their birth and growth within secular society, but I would not exclude
others from using them nor would I recommend them not to. I would just inform them
why I do not and let them draw their own conclusions. Though the crook on the Cross
was brought to salvation by a Christ, I would not go out and recommend we support
crucifixions as a valid method to preach the gospel. Thus, there are some styles that
I choose not to use. However, the message itself is often a final deciding factor, as
well as the age of the audience. We sing camp songs at camp and have Sunday school
for children too young to sit through or fully appreciate the level of worship within
the adult service. I wonder if we are guilty of relegating the musical growth of our
congregations to the "camp song" level when we overly program the choruses and
simplistic pop music that so many churches have embraced these days. Are we edifying
or just giving in to popular taste? Have we brought the children's Sunday School
approach to the music within the adult worship though in other content have moved the
congregation from nourishing pablum to nourishing solid food? I guess I am showing my
age in this matter.
Within the school, and within the confines of "art" music, I take much the same
approach. I remember feeling down about something one day, years ago, and hearing a
song by Air Supply on the radio. It moved me greater than I am willing to admit here.
I also remember the first time I heard Beethoven's Hallelujah Chorus from the Mount
of Olives. It lifted me up and into a realm that only music can take me to. And, I
have listened to both pieces over and over, even today. I have programmed The Rose
and Go The Distance (the last one from the cartoon Hercules) side by side with The
Last Words of David. Well, I did, but at different times within the concert. Have
never done a wholly pop concert. Have never done a totally secular or sacred
Christmas concert, except within the confines of a church service as opposed to a
church banquet.
For me, art music is music that demands all we have technically and mentally. It is
often music that is discovered as it is approached and learned. I know that is true
within my school program and many times the music the choir started out not liking
becomes their favorite piece. It is music I can program over and over without it
seeming dated. Try programming something pop from any period other than that
associated with Rock and Roll and the kids will tell if the sound is not with it
today. Often, they do not even get as far as the message. Find one they like and you
will have found a pop standard or pop song that raised the bar a bit at the time. If
you are lucky to find a great arrangement of it, you are twice blessed. There are
composers I turn to because I KNOW they will turn out a great arrangement rather than
just another 4-part clone. Yes, I do believe an art song has to have an accompaniment
that is integral to the arrangement rather than just "boom-chick" chording. It has
been crafted rather than turned out. But, to deny students the chance to perform and
be moved by a pop song is like trying to get a teenager to eat nothing but stuff that
is good for them. Shoot, even I enjoy fast food every now and then. Fact, I have just
written myself into a mood for Burger King tonight.
Bryant Christenson
Lake Havasu School District #1
LHC, AZ
bchristenson(at)havasu.k12.az.us
PS. Good night, did I just write all THAT?????????