More Ideas for Improving Singing

Singing is a central part of our Anglican patrimony and identity. Too often Anglican congregations (or their leadership) use their resource limits as an excuse to just give up on this patrimony and the opportunities for making beautiful music.

Last year, CF hosted a webinar about improved singing in small Anglican churches. The article and YouTube video are available online. Below are two recent sources for ideas on how to improve singing.

First, the May-June issue of The Trinitarian includes a cover article entitled “Music in Smaller Parishes.” It is avaialble in the printed edition or as a PDF for those with an electronic subscription.

The Trinitarian agrees with many key ideas — starting with the priest must lead by singing and any music beats having none. Both also agreed that repeating familiar hymns sung build a lasting liturgical culture — and that the role of the choir in a small church s to lead congregational singing rather than perform. It adds one key idea missed earlier: confidence, not ability, is the chief obstacle to congregational singing.

Second, as it turns out I’m now helping my church’s leadership brainstorm ideas for strengthening congregational singing — so I came up with a list from some books on my shelves. Some additional ideas including dispersing strong singers in/around the congregation, and consciously educating the congregation on the significance of the music and texts that they are singing. The latter ideas (and bibliography) can found found on my Anglican Music blog.

Please let us know if you have any additional ideas or suggestions.

Reginald Heber’s familiar Trinity Sunday hymn (from The Hymnal 1940)