I wanted to take a moment to answer some questions from some of my music leader friends about a facebook post I had made regarding some advice by songwriter Phillip Bliss about leading rehearsals/services that was fruitful for me.
Recently I picked up again a copy of the book "P.P. Bliss Songwriter" by William Guest that I had in my personal library. Phillip P. Bliss is one of our better known hymnwriters and a fine singer and worship leader in his own right from what I understand. I had started to read it a time or two before, but every time I just couldn't get into it. Finally I've decided to try to tackle it again, and I ran upon a really interesting page that spoke of how Phillip Bliss organized a "praise meeting." I'm not fully sure what he meant by that description, but the principles he listed can really apply to many things. Here are some of the "tips" he shared, most of which are common sense things, but nonetheless are points in which we should be reminded for those of us who lead music in churches, whether that be a choir rehearsal or a service:
1. "One very important thing is promptness. Do not wait for anybody, or anything." This Bliss quote sounds harsh, but I think that starting on time can make things more productive. I am very guilty of not heeding this advice.
2. Bliss continues "First, ask a blessing". This is obvious. Always make prayer a part of your rehearsal.
3. Bliss then encourages to start off with "a familiar hymn and tune which all can sing." He then list several examples, most of which are dated. The only one I recognized in the list was "Rock of Ages," which has stood well the test of time. I think warm-ups could fall into this category in the context of a rehearsal.
4. He then spoke on encouraging balance between parts. In other words, making sure that stronger singers don't overshadow the weaker ones. In his words: "When the sun rises, the stars disappear." Don't neglect the "stars" of your choir! They are not necessarily the ones with the biggest voices!
5. Encourage your people to sing as an expression of the happiness that comes from having a heart right with God. Bliss says "How many Christians we have seen singing to make themselves happy! how few have to sing because they are happy!" (emphasis mine)
6. "Do not criticise too severely." 'Nuff said.
7. And to those who often give excuses about their lack of experience he says "The best way to learn to sing is TO SING."
8. Bliss also said to not neglect the use of prayer, illustrations, and scripture reading within the context of these "meetings."
9. End before people are worn out. Be sensitive to the weariness of the people and how hard they've worked. His words, again: "Finally, adjourn before the Meeting is tired. The best time to stop is when you feel most like going on. So I stop." It's sort of like the "leave them wanting more more" mentality.
10. And finally, this section of the book ends with a reminder, specifically to pastors and preachers about the importance of music in worship as a way of preparing the heart's soil for the message they will bring.
"Many a good sermon has been like a seed blown away, for want of a hearty hymn to harrow it in. Many a prayer-meeting has dragged its slow length along for want of the lubrication of a cheerful praise-spirit in some soul-full song."
To my music leader friends among the readers here, find some encouragement in these quotes! Here also is a link to a list of Phillip Bliss' songs and a short biography.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/b/l/i/bliss_pp.htm
In Christ,
Chris
