45. Church Music

 Music in Church Services has always been controversial. It dates back to the earliest centuries and still remains an issue for a whole series of reasons. One of the more unusual reasons was the recent ban on hymn singing during the COVID-19 Lock-down because it might spread the virus.

Christianity grew initially from within Judaism, and the earliest Christians hymns originated from the Jewish chanting of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs from their Hebrew Scriptures. However, hymns and spiritual songs, as we understand them, along with the musical accompaniment, were not part of a normal Church service until the 10th century. Their reception was very mixed. This was partly due to their power to stir human emotions, and partly because musical instruments were generally regarded as “symbols of lasciviousness and debauchery”. 

This view continued to dominate social thinking until 1820 when the Church of England finally and officially approved the singing of hymns. However, some of the more Protestant Churches continued their resistance, controversy, opposition, and ultimately division to the introduction of hymns and musical instruments, into the 20th century!

Why I am interested in this discussion is because I have been closely involved in Church music for most of my life. My father was an Anglican Minister and an accomplished organist. He gave me my first piano lesson when I was 8 years old. As my ability progressed, I was often called on to play the small foot-pumped reed organ at his Church services.

I was a teenager when the Beatles hit the world stage, and wanted – like many teenagers – to copy them. I soon had my first guitar and played with a small group of mates from school. We thought we were great – even if we were hopelessly out of tune!

A little later on, I was introduced to the exquisite sound of Renaissance and Baroque choral music while studying music composition and theory as an adjunct to my Psychology degree. The choral music won my heart far beyond the twangs of my guitar. Although, a few more years later my guitar found its place again in the flood of new hymns and Christian songs from the post-Vatican II reforms and the Charismatic Renewal Movement. While many of these songs suffered from poor musical composition and repetitive lyrics, they were easily sung by a willing congregation, and my guitar found regular use – sometimes to the chagrin of the local organist and the more senior members of the congregation. 

A lot of time has passed since then... and now I find myself looking more like one of those more senior members of the congregation than I would like! I also find myself greeting those old hymns with renewed appreciation, especially when expected to learn a new song with odd rhythms and limited musicality. I am more sympathetic now to the comment made by the late and venerable and most eminent Rev. John Wesley, a lover of music and an elegant poet. When asked for his opinion of the new Christian music being introduced into the chapels of the Methodists. He replied in his terse and powerful manner, ‘I have no objections ... provided they are neither heard nor seen'.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil