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How Do You Join the Choir? Is an Audition Required?

This relatively easy question deserves a simple answer concerning rehearsal times and expectations. My answer usually includes questions to the prospective choir member regarding his/her previous experience and interest. If the person has little or no previous experience and doesn't read music, you may explain that singing in the choir (if the choir is advanced) may be frustrating.

You may encourage him/her to come for a few rehearsals on a trial basis. While I believe that choir should be open to everyone, I do not believe that choir is the best place of service for all people.

Some church choirs do have auditions, although most do not. If you audition choir members, explain how to prepare for the audition and schedule an audition time.

My ___________ (name of friend or relative) Is Going to Be in Town Next Week. Can She/He Sing for Worship?

Never give the person an immediate answer. Explain that plans for the upcoming weeks are already under way, and you'll have to check to see what else is happening in the service and how this person's participation might fit in. If you do not know the potential soloist, you will want to do some background work to gain some information about the person's qualifications. You may want to obtain a recording. If you decline the offer, you must have good reasons, and you must have the support of other ministers and music ministry leaders. Realize the seriousness of such an offer and consider it very carefully. While most congregants are hesitant about wanting their family and friends to sing, others can be pushy.

What's the Difference between a Hymn, Song, and Chorus?

These are the kinds of questions that ministers of music enjoy answering, for they show that people are thinking seriously about the congregation's music. The following definitions may be helpful:

Hymn – Hymns are generally texts that are directed to God. They are usually described as vertical — they are written to God rather than about God or about our experiences as related to God. Strictly speaking, a hymn is text and the music to which the text is set is the hymn tune.

Song – Usually this distinction is made in regard to hymns vs. gospel songs. Gospel songs are songs that became popular during the 19th century that were testimonial in nature and described the human response to God's acts. Gospel songs are generally experiential and personal.

Chorus – A chorus is a smaller song of repetitive nature that is usually easily learned. Often choruses are repeated more than once. Their texts can be scriptural, directed to God, or experiential.

Choruses are often confused with refrains of gospel songs. Technically speaking, refrains are sung intermittently between stanzas of a longer song, while choruses stand alone and are not related to a longer text.

What Is an Anthem?

An anthem is a choral work that has an English text and is used in worship. An anthem is the English equivalent of a Latin motet. Generally speaking, in protestant worship, an anthem is the music sung by the choir as opposed to the music sung by the congregation or music that has congregational participation as its primary goal.

Why Do We Sing All Stanzas of Hymns?

The text of a good hymn has a logical progression, and each stanza can be vital in understanding the hymn's complete intent. Often, when a stanza is omitted, a key part of the message may be excluded. However, there are instances when stanzas may/should be omitted. For instance, when the final stanza of a hymn is related to communion and your congregation is not observing communion, you may need to omit this stanza. If a particular stanza is unrelated to a particular theme that is being emphasized, it may be omitted. However, leaving out a stanza in a Trinitarian hymn (a hymn addressed to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) would omit a member of the trinity and would be unacceptable. Generally, leaving out stanza(s) is acceptable unless the stanza(s) are closely related to each other through a story line. These decisions must be made purposefully and with careful deliberation.

What's the Difference between a Stanza and a Verse?

A stanza is a section of a hymn while a verse is related specifically to poetry. In hymns, the words stanza and verse are sometimes used interchangeably, although stanza is preferred.

What Do the Numbers on the Page of the Hymnal Mean?

Usually the numbers on the page of the hymn refer to the meter of the hymn. The numbers refer to the number of syllables in a line of the hymn. Knowing a hymn's meter allows us to interchange hymn tunes with the same meter. Most hymnals contain a metrical index that can be used for this purpose. Some meters are common and have numerous tunes that accommodate them. Others are irregular and are often designated as so. In order to discern the meter of a hymn, simply count the syllables in each line of text. Remember that one line of a hymn tune and one line of text are not necessarily the same.

What Is a Hymn Tune?

A hymn tune is the music sung to a hymn. For instance, "Amazing Grace" is the name of the text, and the tune most often sung to this text is New Britain. The term "hymn" refers to the text and the term "hymn tune" refers to the tune or melody to which the hymn is sung. Most hymn tunes have names. Hymn tune names may come from a variety of sources including the text, the origin of the text, the name of the composer, or other information related to the composer. Hymn tunes are usually named either by the composer or by a hymnal committee.