Response to McLaren(sp?)

Something in me just screams for creative quality. I can smell and recognize “cheeziness” at the drop of a pin, and it makes me cringe. I have sung more than one too many choral pieces to a soundcheck where the guys and girls sing the same mediocre melody one octave apart. I am forced to ask myself, “where is the wonder? Where is the beauty? Where is the mystery and awe and surprise?” I often experienced it while reading my high school literature book, but that was written mostly by people who do not believe in Jesus. It is said that one who wants to be a great orator must first find his great cause. Is this not true also of all who would be great composers, lyricists and songwriters. Is it not also true of those who would lead our Christian community in worship accompanied by other artistic expressions? Maybe this is why McLaren’s article rang so true with me. While I am continually overwhelmed by the unnoticed marvels of our everyday lives (blessings which have been showered on us day after day, such as intricate mazes of ant trails, the simple beauty of laughter and conversation between guyfriend and girlfriend, a masterwork movie plot, or the piece of classical music I am listening to right now), I also continually wonder why church is so boring. I simply refuse to believe that is what my infinitely creative creator intended for us. I am not satisfied with it. I am not OK with it. Thus, I heartily concur with McLaren’s challenge to incorporate deep theology into an artistic expression that captures “mind and heart, understanding and imagination, proposition and image, clarity and mystery, explanation and narrative, exposition and artistic expression” (para 5). Wow. The piece I am listening to reminds me that this is definitely possible. One comment that Morenson made that really stood out to me was that good lyrics are composed, not inspired (para 7). The assumption would be that good music likewise comes through sweat and tears, not for free by means of an untapped creative fountain. This has not been my experience. Good creative content comes to me when I experiment and play with notes and/or words until that critical inspiration happens to come along. But it cannot be forced. Sometimes it comes right away, while other times it may take an hour or more. It is incredibly affected by my mood, circumstances or state of mind. Ah, yes, then there’s the factor of raw talent. Let’s try to experiment until we’re blue in the face in the area that we are naturally good at. Ooh, and then Mortenson rubbed a raw spot for me when he said that singing need not be professionally polished (Vocal Style para 2). That comment seemed to contradict everything he had said up to that point. I want to do everything I do with the most quality that I have available to me. That’s not a burden. It’s a joy! Part of what we were created to do was to create beauty ourselves. Let’s not settle for less. Creativity is available to us, if we want it.  Of course, all of this talk means nothing if we cannot put it to practical use.  What is a way that I, Christopher Yoder, can contribute to the wonder and creativity of the body of Christ?  One I can think of would be to propose and organize a “hymn team” to supplement (not replace) the chapel team.  Several times a semester, to give the chapel team could be given a break, and the hymn team could lead the congregation in some of the lesser known hymns that have beautiful and intricate harmonies with wonderful and unusual tapestries of chords that catch the ear off guard, yet are striking in their sense of order and purpose.  Such a team will need to be able to perform those vocal lines with clarity and precision.  What are some practical ways that you in this music class could contribute creatively to the lives of the believers in our community? (It doesn’t have to involve music or even chapel services)

Writing Intelligent Music

At first, I was put off when McClaren called me “Egypt of modernity” (Para 1) as though all that my world has to offer to real thinkers is enslavement and oppression. I realize that he is coming from a position of revolution, however, and is attempting to throw off what is useless, not throw off me (hopefully). I must admit, that I agreed with much of what both writers had to say about writing music. I think they have illuminated what makes praise and worship music trite, especially the “me, me, me” problem. As I look at what songs are accepted for new hymnals, they are pieces that are singable and playable by all kinds of church musicians. Many new pieces only sound good when played by a praise band, and feel contrived when played in a church with only a pianist. I especially liked his suggestions for new lyrics, about eschatology, missions, God’s character, and human pain. Can Christians handle music with themes about real issues and problems? Can we “worship” in brokenness and humbleness?