About all that noise...

This summer's "Joyful Noise" gatherings have been a real joy for me.

We've been learning more about each other through our hymn choices.
Partly theology, partly musical taste, and plenty of signposts from the
roads we've traveled.

I grew up in congregations that frequently sang in four-part harmony,
and many of the songs people chose brought back great memories.  Some
have strong associations with particular events, like my brother's
wedding or my grandmother's funeral.  Others were fixtures in the
liturgical calendar, showing up for Advent or Easter like clockwork.

I find the harmonies in our hymnals much kinder to the voice than unison
singing, respecting what different types of voices do well. Even when
taken down an octave, the melody lines of most hymns are written at the
upper limits of what a bass like me might sing with some effort and much
attention to techique, but the bass harmony parts require no such
exertions.  The singing becomes a spontaneous joy rather than a studied
chore.

In part-singing, we become an embodiment of the varieties of gifts like
those mentioned in 1 Corithians 12.  Not just a lot of voices vying for
the same note, but many different types of voices, sounding different
notes in their own respective ranges to bring a glorious harmony to life.

One surprise has been that this has provided an opportunity for some
non-CGS folks to get a little introduction to our community.  Singing
can be a bit addictive - I'm singing in three non-CGS collaborations
this summer - so I shouldn't have been surprised when some singing
friends showed up for Joyful Noise.

I highly recommend the remaining "Joyful Noise" sessions, especially if
you who haven't experienced part-singing or might be toying with the
idea of just possibly helping the choir sometime.  When the going gets
tough we take things slow, plunk through lines that stretch our
sight-reading ability, and revel when our harmonies click.  Or if you're
totally shy, just come and listen to the miracle that happens when
flawed and limited voices come together in harmony!

Randy