Árdís - 01.01.1956, Page 27

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
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the little voices singing well lover hymns and see the radiant little
faces having a glorious time—often sharp, often flat, but always
natural. When they sing together they experience for the first
time, that fine feeling choir work gives one, of each person con-
tributing, expressing himself as an individual and yet at the same
time, being a part of the whole, working together for a single
purpose.
I often think that this unique facet of choir work, could be
used perhaps more than it is done in conquering the problem of
keeping our young people in the church. It is a very special kind
of team work that only the church can offer; it provides group
participation, individual expression and is a venture into the
aesthetic or artistic world. When one leads the young into the world
of music, one kindles a spark that is never put out, and when that
spark is kindled at an early age, within the church, where some of
the world’s finest music has been inspired, and still resides, surely
one is building a permanent bond.
I recall once a child (he couldn’t have been more than four or
five) saying to me when we heard some “jazz” music, “This music is
sick. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear some choir—the kind of music
that makes you feel good inside.”
I have never forgotten that. There is music that is sick, and
music that is healthy, and if a child is exposed to the best, and more
especially if he participates in the best, then surely that which is
second best, and found in second best places, will always be “sick”
to him.
Let us, the older members of the congregation, and its present
leaders think seriously about this, about our church leaders of
tomorrow. I believe, that planned choral work amongst our
children would be of immeasurable benefit to them, and to us, in
making our church strong.
Music and worship interact together, increasing the joys of
both; we who have experienced the satisfactions of choral work
should be, and I think are prepared to do more to actively preserve
its destiny with our young people. All of us will gain.