Musical Intention

-From an essay by C. S. Lewis

It seems to me that we must define rather carefully the way, or ways, in which music can glorify God. There is … a sense in which all natural agents, even inanimate ones, glorify God continually by revealing the powers He has given them. And in that sense we, as natural agents, do the same. On that level our wicked actions, in so far as they exhibit our skill and strength, may be said to glorify Good, as well as our good actions. An excellently performed piece of music, as natural operation which reveals in a very high degree the peculiar powers given to man, will thus always glorify God whatever the intention of the performers may be. But that is a kind of glorifying which we share with the ‘dragons and great deeps’, with the ‘frost and snows’. What is looked for in us, as men, is another kind of glorifying, which depends on intention. How easy or how hard it may be for a whole choir to preserve that intention through all the discussions and decisions, all the corrections and the disappointments, all the temptations to pride, rivalry and ambition, which precede the performance of a great work, I (naturally) do not know. But it is on the intention that all depends. When it succeeds, I think the performers are the most enviable of men; privileged while mortals to honor God like angels and, for a few golden moments, to see spirit and flesh, delight and labour, skill and worship, the natural and the supernatural, all fused into that unity they would have had before the Fall.

-From the Orgnist/Choirmaster:

At Holy Trinity, we strive to select and present music that supports the liturgy - especially the readings - and engages the mind of the congregation.   Music in church is not a "performance", per se.  At the same time, it is our intention to perform the selected music to the best of our ability for the glorification of God, so that others may see that glory - obviously in a limited way - and be drawn to God.  Viewed that way, music expresses both our love of God and God's love for us.

Good liturgy engages all of the senses - thought, smell, hearing, speech and sensation.   Hymns for the congregation are chosen to support the lectionary; to engage the mind in the words of the chosen hymn; and verbalize our faith in the act of singing.  Similarly, music sung by the choir alone has the same goal.  Choir music is not more important than congregational singing; they should be a cohesive whole.

We welcome inquiries about joining the choir!  We have resumed in-person rehearsals on alternate Tuesday evenings, and supplement it with virtual rehearsals when neede.

I am always open to questions and comments about music at HTAC.  Please feel free to speak to me after the service any time.