Comments on: Selection of hymns for a tiny church http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/ Scott Wells on the practice of Christian faith Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:04:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Scott Wells http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49680 Scott Wells Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:45:27 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/?p=2928#comment-49680 @Philocrites. It is; indeed, I have a copy of that issue. (My seminary hymnology class was taught by the ED of the Hymn Society, when it was hosted at Texas Christian University.) I also wrote about this issue here: http://boyinthebands.com/archives/liberala-himnaro-hymn-list-in-english/ @Philocrites. It is; indeed, I have a copy of that issue. (My seminary hymnology class was taught by the ED of the Hymn Society, when it was hosted at Texas Christian University.) I also wrote about this issue here: http://boyinthebands.com/archives/liberala-himnaro-hymn-list-in-english/

]]> By: Philocrites http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49679 Philocrites Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:11:53 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/?p=2928#comment-49679 One useful source for small Christian churches might be a list of the top ecumenical hymns, or hymns that have shown up in the broadest range of churches. I have a photocopy of an article from "The Hymn" that lists them, but am not quite sure that <a href="http://www.canticanova.com/articles/hymns/art241.htm" rel="nofollow">this</a> is the same list (I think it is). One useful source for small Christian churches might be a list of the top ecumenical hymns, or hymns that have shown up in the broadest range of churches. I have a photocopy of an article from “The Hymn” that lists them, but am not quite sure that this is the same list (I think it is).

]]> By: Derek http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49675 Derek Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:42:30 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/?p=2928#comment-49675 I don't recall which metrical paraphrase psalter they used. They printed the paraphrased words in their bulletin, with the notation S.M. (short meter), C.M. (common meter), and L.M. (long meter). The deacon did tell me that he got some of the paraphrases from a web site that had a collection of old paraphrased psalms. I believe that the song leader was responsible for finding an easy tune to fit each meter, although I noticed some tunes like the Old 100th got used over and over again for a wide variety of paraphrased psalms. I don’t recall which metrical paraphrase psalter they used. They printed the paraphrased words in their bulletin, with the notation S.M. (short meter), C.M. (common meter), and L.M. (long meter). The deacon did tell me that he got some of the paraphrases from a web site that had a collection of old paraphrased psalms. I believe that the song leader was responsible for finding an easy tune to fit each meter, although I noticed some tunes like the Old 100th got used over and over again for a wide variety of paraphrased psalms.

]]> By: Scott Wells http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49671 Scott Wells Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:37:04 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/?p=2928#comment-49671 Derek, do you recall what metrical psalter? The blue Episcopalian softcover one? Derek, do you recall what metrical psalter? The blue Episcopalian softcover one?

]]> By: Derek http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49666 Derek Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:37:09 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/?p=2928#comment-49666 The problem with CD's is that they are not true accompaniment. A musician who is able to accompany congregational singing modifies his/her playing to the numerous singing quirks of the congregation. A CD can never do that, and often the results sound awkward and stilted as the music and voices are often just a bit off. Before I would go with a CD I would go acapella with one or two strong song leaders. I've been to one very small Episcopal church which had no musician, no priest, and a deacon who led worship most Sundays when there was no supply priest. In place of hymns they sang acapella metrical paraphrases to different Psalms. The effect was quite nice. A woman who was a kindergarten teacher led the singing. -Derek The problem with CD’s is that they are not true accompaniment. A musician who is able to accompany congregational singing modifies his/her playing to the numerous singing quirks of the congregation. A CD can never do that, and often the results sound awkward and stilted as the music and voices are often just a bit off.

Before I would go with a CD I would go acapella with one or two strong song leaders.

I’ve been to one very small Episcopal church which had no musician, no priest, and a deacon who led worship most Sundays when there was no supply priest. In place of hymns they sang acapella metrical paraphrases to different Psalms. The effect was quite nice. A woman who was a kindergarten teacher led the singing.

-Derek

]]> By: Steven R http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49659 Steven R Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:05:09 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/?p=2928#comment-49659 Being a lay leader in a small Church - one of the important factors is that most of the music these days in small Churches in played on CD, not played by organ or even guitar. So a great hymnal would also need to be tied-in with a licensed to the congregation CD (s). Being a lay leader in a small Church – one of the important factors is that most of the music these days in small Churches in played on CD, not played by organ or even guitar. So a great hymnal would also need to be tied-in with a licensed to the congregation CD (s).

]]> By: James D http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49658 James D Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:43:49 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/?p=2928#comment-49658 That is a difficult one. Clearly with a small congregation, it has to be tunes that are well-known. But assembling a list of about forty hymns has its pitfalls: 1) the 23rd and (to a lesser extent) the 42nd Psalms have a tendency to take over the list if you're not careful 2) you're bound to miss someone's favorite hymn and the list would quickly end up three times the length I've thrown together a list of hymns that came to mind, and it exhibits both of those problems: http://james.dowden.googlepages.com/hymns.txt That is a difficult one. Clearly with a small congregation, it has to be tunes that are well-known. But assembling a list of about forty hymns has its pitfalls:
1) the 23rd and (to a lesser extent) the 42nd Psalms have a tendency to take over the list if you’re not careful
2) you’re bound to miss someone’s favorite hymn and the list would quickly end up three times the length

I’ve thrown together a list of hymns that came to mind, and it exhibits both of those problems:
http://james.dowden.googlepages.com/hymns.txt

]]> By: Dudley M Jones http://boyinthebands.com/archives/selection-of-hymns-for-a-tiny-church/comment-page-1/#comment-49657 Dudley M Jones Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:57:37 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/?p=2928#comment-49657 Good luck! I have occasionally attended tiny churches, and they can be wonderful places. I recall one outside of Hightstown New Jersey in the late 1960s - my goodness, that was a long time ago! They had an tiny old organ that was not bad at all. Good luck! I have occasionally attended tiny churches, and they can be wonderful places. I recall one outside of Hightstown New Jersey in the late 1960s – my goodness, that was a long time ago! They had an tiny old organ that was not bad at all.

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