In Judaism (the faith I was born into) all prayers are sung. And when we read Torah or Haftorah out loud in synagogue, it is also sung. And so I am thinking of how God created all of creation by speaking it into being. And when this is read in synagogue it is sung.
I think that when we sing we are creating in a sense. We are not only sending the words out into the world, but the melody as well. And this gets internalized--it's a big way that we learn. For example, when I get lost in alphabetical order, I sing the alphabet song in my head. I don't just say the letters, I sing them. It's internalized that way.
So when we're learning theology, when we're singing our theology, that's how we're focusing our minds. We aren't literally able to sing something into being, but by internalizing it, it informs how we act and interact in the world. This is why I will not put hymns with bad theology in the services I lead. I'll use hymns I don't particularly care for myself as long as the theology is good. But there's no way I'll use a hymn with bad theology because I don't want folks to internalize that and carry it into the world.
Yes, the singing of text and "good theology." Chanting the Torah is also a communal experience that includes those standing by the Torah to help correct any mistakes by the reader. The necessity of having a certain number of people present. Understanding, wrestling with, discussing, interpreting the instruction of the text is an ongoing communal process that grapples with the particular time. One idea is that it is as if we are all standing at Mt. Sinai, receiving the message. Also an idea that the tablets of the ten commandments were inscribed with characters that created holes through which God and humanity could communicate, exchange (not one-sided). I like the recognition that singing, sound, is a matter of vibrations, in which we are steeped, as all of existence is a sea of vibrations. So the musical, communical experience of singing is an embodied one.
“songs are spells” Yes of course they are! Spells in the traditional ‘witchy’ sense change or transform a person or situation, right? When we sing together there are physiological changes in the body and when sung together — the group. It is a known fact— I’m sure we all know this already but naming it here is to bring it to mind—- that singing releases endorphins that increase feelings of connection and bonding. That hormone Oxytocin creates bonds between parent and child — it also does the same with others. There are other endorphins that are released that are mood uplifting.
The most effective “spells” I’ve personally found resonating with folks in my congregation are songs by Elizabeth Norton and Lea Morris. I’ve noticed a physical shift after the congregation sings their pieces. I’m not saying that other composers don’t engender this shift they can and do, but these stand out to me.
Yesterday, my friend, Beth, and I co-ordinated a lay-led service entitled "On the Outside, Looking In." The service included 2 gorgeous piano pieces played by the composer, a piece by a singer/songwriter, a song sung by a duo, accompanied by a flute, 2 hymns from the "Singing the Living Tradition, and a hymn we sing to accompany the kids as they go to RE. Our congregation LOVES music, whether listening, playing or singing. It's a must for the service. Last month we had "These Are A Few of My Favorite Hymns," where different members of the congregation told why they loved a certain hymn, what it meant to them, and then we all sang their favorites. We heard thanks from so many folks, who loved the stories, the hymns, and the singing together to honor the choices made. It is a time when we can feel our connection, not just know that we are connected.
I love how church music connects me to generations of people coming together. Singing together is a reflection of the power of community; the same kind of power as a labor union or team that makes everyone stronger. Music has incredible power to move and inspire us. That's why my former UU church's practice of forsaking the hymnal in favor of anthems from Broadway musicals was so disappointing. We are now seeing some of the best music leaders leave the UU world. This should be noted by someone on the denominational level!
At this time in American history, I need faith and hope on Sunday mornings. At that once-a-week hour, I need to get away from the content of MSNBC or my local Democratic club.
I loved what you wrote a few weeks ago about how the church belongs to us all so we shouldn't look at funding the way we tend to do.
That definition of “spell” gives me a brand new way of looking at the concept. Music can definitely “cast a spell” on me, and our choir has sometimes received compliments such as “that was magical”, or “I was mesmerized”. In most cases, so was I as one of the singers. For me, it feels like I’m transported to another plane of existence. All the worries drop away, and I’m in an indescribably beautiful place. I’ve also experienced that at symphony concerts, and some musicals, too.
In Judaism (the faith I was born into) all prayers are sung. And when we read Torah or Haftorah out loud in synagogue, it is also sung. And so I am thinking of how God created all of creation by speaking it into being. And when this is read in synagogue it is sung.
I think that when we sing we are creating in a sense. We are not only sending the words out into the world, but the melody as well. And this gets internalized--it's a big way that we learn. For example, when I get lost in alphabetical order, I sing the alphabet song in my head. I don't just say the letters, I sing them. It's internalized that way.
So when we're learning theology, when we're singing our theology, that's how we're focusing our minds. We aren't literally able to sing something into being, but by internalizing it, it informs how we act and interact in the world. This is why I will not put hymns with bad theology in the services I lead. I'll use hymns I don't particularly care for myself as long as the theology is good. But there's no way I'll use a hymn with bad theology because I don't want folks to internalize that and carry it into the world.
Yes, the singing of text and "good theology." Chanting the Torah is also a communal experience that includes those standing by the Torah to help correct any mistakes by the reader. The necessity of having a certain number of people present. Understanding, wrestling with, discussing, interpreting the instruction of the text is an ongoing communal process that grapples with the particular time. One idea is that it is as if we are all standing at Mt. Sinai, receiving the message. Also an idea that the tablets of the ten commandments were inscribed with characters that created holes through which God and humanity could communicate, exchange (not one-sided). I like the recognition that singing, sound, is a matter of vibrations, in which we are steeped, as all of existence is a sea of vibrations. So the musical, communical experience of singing is an embodied one.
“songs are spells” Yes of course they are! Spells in the traditional ‘witchy’ sense change or transform a person or situation, right? When we sing together there are physiological changes in the body and when sung together — the group. It is a known fact— I’m sure we all know this already but naming it here is to bring it to mind—- that singing releases endorphins that increase feelings of connection and bonding. That hormone Oxytocin creates bonds between parent and child — it also does the same with others. There are other endorphins that are released that are mood uplifting.
The most effective “spells” I’ve personally found resonating with folks in my congregation are songs by Elizabeth Norton and Lea Morris. I’ve noticed a physical shift after the congregation sings their pieces. I’m not saying that other composers don’t engender this shift they can and do, but these stand out to me.
Yesterday, my friend, Beth, and I co-ordinated a lay-led service entitled "On the Outside, Looking In." The service included 2 gorgeous piano pieces played by the composer, a piece by a singer/songwriter, a song sung by a duo, accompanied by a flute, 2 hymns from the "Singing the Living Tradition, and a hymn we sing to accompany the kids as they go to RE. Our congregation LOVES music, whether listening, playing or singing. It's a must for the service. Last month we had "These Are A Few of My Favorite Hymns," where different members of the congregation told why they loved a certain hymn, what it meant to them, and then we all sang their favorites. We heard thanks from so many folks, who loved the stories, the hymns, and the singing together to honor the choices made. It is a time when we can feel our connection, not just know that we are connected.
I love how church music connects me to generations of people coming together. Singing together is a reflection of the power of community; the same kind of power as a labor union or team that makes everyone stronger. Music has incredible power to move and inspire us. That's why my former UU church's practice of forsaking the hymnal in favor of anthems from Broadway musicals was so disappointing. We are now seeing some of the best music leaders leave the UU world. This should be noted by someone on the denominational level!
At this time in American history, I need faith and hope on Sunday mornings. At that once-a-week hour, I need to get away from the content of MSNBC or my local Democratic club.
I loved what you wrote a few weeks ago about how the church belongs to us all so we shouldn't look at funding the way we tend to do.
That definition of “spell” gives me a brand new way of looking at the concept. Music can definitely “cast a spell” on me, and our choir has sometimes received compliments such as “that was magical”, or “I was mesmerized”. In most cases, so was I as one of the singers. For me, it feels like I’m transported to another plane of existence. All the worries drop away, and I’m in an indescribably beautiful place. I’ve also experienced that at symphony concerts, and some musicals, too.