Give Thanks...For Ward Choirs

 Last year (at least, I think it was last year...), I was asked to serve as a choir leader for our local LDS congregation. I believe you don't have to be a member of my religion to understand what this calling entails. Choirs in local congregations are often times the butt of jokes in music circles...and in other circles, too. They're an easy target. We invite anyone wishing to sing to join. Heck, I'm sure I've made jokes about these choirs over the years.

I don't think I'll ever do that again.

Our ward choir sang in church today. We had one rehearsal two weeks ago and went through the song one and one-half times this morning before our services began. They sounded wonderful. I'm not saying they were "world-class" in their presentation of the hymn, but boy, they sounded great--just ordinary church goers who enjoy singing.

When I was called, I felt inadequate, even though I've been singing in choirs--amateur and professional--for the past forty years. I've sung in regular choirs and I've sung with talent that's second to none. I was afraid I would be expected to get the singers to sound like a choir that blew people away. I quickly realized that's not my job...not my calling. I'm there to help the singers and the congregation feel something, to bring a spirit to the meeting.

I'm far from doing the best job with this calling. I have a long way to go--there's so much more I can do for the ward. That's the thing about callings. They're not not given to those who have mastered the skill...more like given to those who need to learn something.

I'm thankful for my neighbors who stay late and rehearse, who come early--small kids in tow--to support me and the program. I'm thankful I can stand before them and hear the music we create before anyone else. I'm thankful for ward choirs.

Tennyson's Wild Bells...What Do They Mean?

We were supposed to sing this song in church last week, but the meeting went long, so it ended up on the program today. I think most LDS congregations sang this song to ring in the new year. I have no idea if other denominations sing this particular song--perhaps they do.

We've sung it before, and I don't think I ever took notice of the words.

Until today.

Here are the words:

1. 1. Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
2. The flying cloud, the frosty light.
   The year is dying in the night;
   Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
   The year is dying in the night;
   Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
3. 2. Ring out the old; ring in the new.
   Ring, happy bells, across the snow.
   The year is going; let him go.
   Ring out the false; ring in the true.
   The year is going; let him go.
   Ring out the false; ring in the true.
4. 3. Ring in the valiant men and free,
   The larger heart, the kindlier hand.
   Ring out the darkness of the land;
   Ring in the Christ that is to be.
   Ring out the darkness of the land;
   Ring in the Christ that is to be.
5. Text: Alfred Tennyson, 1809-1892
   
   

The thing that struck me today is Tennyson wrote about bells, and how the bells changed. We ring out the old and ring in the new. The ringing is exactly the same. The bell is but an instrument of the one ringing. The sound the bell makes a few seconds before the year ends and a few seconds after the new year begins...

Is exactly the same. There's no difference.

So, why does he write about bells making the changing, change from old to new, from false to true, from darkness to Christ?

You see, it has nothing to do with the bells, but everything to do with the ones who hear. It's a very cool concept. And a great way to view a new year, even a new day, a new hour, a new moment.