Writing music for orchestral instruments requires knowing about the unique design and sound of each instrument. This article examines each major type of orchestral instrument, outlining the basic features of each and suggesting ways of effectively arranging music for each.
Recent technology has generated a wide variety of electronic keyboards available to the church musician. This article defines many of the technical terms that are used to distinguish the varieties of keyboards available and provides guidelines for their use.
The primary purpose of the church organ is to lead and accompany congregational singing. This article argues that the highest priority in organ design and construction in churches should not be to produce an impressive organ for recitals, but rather to construct an organ to meet the unique needs of congregational singing.
A wide variety of musical instruments can be used effectively in accompanying hymns and anthems. Creativity in the use of instruments should always seek to reflect and illuminate the text that is sung. The following article gives suggestions for how a variety of instruments can be used to proclaim the text.
Like the music from Taizé described earlier, prayer chants may be comprised of one textual and musical phrase that is repeated. This kind of chant focuses the attention of the worshiper and allows the worshiper to experience God’s presence without the need to be concerned about the mechanics of the music.
Anthems sung by choirs and soloists have a long history in Christian worship. Many of the world’s finest composers have written anthems for use in worship. Yet the best anthems are those which unite such musical genius with concern for the text that is sung and the function of the anthem in the context of the entire worship service.
Canticles (from the Latin canticum, song) are biblical poems with powerful imagery and heightened emotional content. They are similar to psalms but are taken from other books of the Bible. Canticles formed the backbone of the daily office and have often been set to music. Indeed, they are among the richest repertories in all of music.
The praise song is integral to worship in the black tradition, expressing Spirit-filled praise and demanding the full participation of the worshiping community. Black praise singing is also expressive of themes important in the black Christian experience and in the theology that has been formed out of this experience.