Categories: uncategorized
Date: 16 October 2012 12:50:48
Interesting article on the NME site which says pop music (and various variations upon that term) are taking over from hymns and classical music at funerals.
So today's discussion point is a three parter:
1) Is society losing something through the decline in the use of hymns?
2) Does the church need to get into the twenty first century when it comes to music?
3) What would you choose for your funeral?
My answers are:
1) I think that society is losing something not through the content of hymns necessarily, but through the loss of communal singing. As pop music takes over from hymns we are seeing, I think, the further rescinding of a distinct folk memory. The lyrics of the Show of Hands track Roots come to mind:
"And a minister said his vision of hell Is three folk singers in a pub near Wales Well, I've got a vision of urban sprawl There's pubs where no-one ever sings at all."
I think a world where we all become passive listeners is not good. To a certain extent I don't care what people sing, as long as it's meaningful for them......but I think it's important to be able to sing it together.
2) Does the church need to get into the twenty first century when it comes to music? No....but sort of. We need to have a mix but the traditional stuff and "posh choral stuff" is important too.
Now, I have to confess I struggle to sit through choral music, I don't understand it and the pitch, etc of it makes me squirm and feel uncomfortable (just as I understand rave and punk make others feel). As for classical, well regular readers will know I've tried to get in to it for Karl's sake but apart from a good bit of piano the London Philharmonic Orchestra sent me to sleep (see here) and the Great British Prom had a variable reaction.
However, I know that others find it v. important because it is something they feel it reflects and expresses their culture as well as being something enjoyable. This should not be lost in a rush for trite Magic FM style worship songs which tend to be a poor imitation of what most people are actually listening to on their radios.
What I think there is a greater need for in our churches is gospel music, like the sort of thing you find in Sister Act which expresses faith but also connects in a real way with contemporary culture. Additionally there should be opportunities to worship using suitable contemporary music with a spiritual feel to it in the same sort of way you can go to Choral Evensong. By this I mean rather than it just being "alt worship" type stuff it should be incorporated much more into mainstream worship programming.
I think we need to help people get back into communal singing more.
3) As for what I would want at my funeral if I weren't to have a good sing-a-long song/ hymn like Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine (which I love and would request to be played at my funeral) it would be Billy Bragg's Upfield. Actually, should anybody come across this post after my demise (which I hope isn't for some time) can I ask that we have both. I wouldn't mind going through the curtain to be cremated whilst Upfield was playing.
So what are your opinions and funeral choices?