Árdís - 01.01.1956, Page 26

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ÁRDÍS
Music in the Church
Delivered at the Convention of the Lutheran Women’s League at Winnipeg,
Manitoba, June 1, 1956.
By GUDRUN BLONDAL
Madame President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Guests:
I would like to speak tonight, on a topic, which is very dear to
me personally—Music in the Church. I do not speak as an expert;
I merely bring you some of my own reflections on this broad topic.
From my earliest associations with the First Lutheran Church,
I have been engaged in choir work and it has always proved a
source of immense pleasure and inspiration to me. I am not alone in
this, there are many persons in the church who have been able to
contribute more musically than I, but certainly, none have gained
more enduring satisfaction.
Upon looking back over the years at our choir work, looking
at the present choir, and considering how really fundamental is the
relationship between worship and sacred music, one cannot help
but reflect that we are here living out a portion of our Protestant
history. I believe most authorities agree, that one of the greatest
achievements of the Reformation, and the power that drew so many
people to Protestantism, and made it grow in strength and numbers,
was the participation of the people, the congregation, in the church
services; and certainly, when this participation took the form of
congregation and choir singing together, it provided a powerful
bond, an outward and visible symbol of many praising as one, that
has endured to this day.
This sense of participation and union is I think still one of the
chief joys of choir work.
The choir co-operates with the minister, selecting hymns and
anthems to augment his texts. In this way, it is hoped we may lend
emphasis to his message, and even occasionally afford inspiration—
for indeed much of our sacred music is inspiring.
It is wonderful to see young people experiencing this sense of
participation, in their church through music. How many of us,
particularly at the Christmas concert, have not thrilled to hear all