Do you have time for a cappella?

Some of us, including myself, sound a lot better when drowned out by music. I still think we need to do as the heavenly Choir;

And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

If it's good enough for heaven then it should be good enough for the earth.

 

1. How often do you sing a cappella in your church? Never? Seldom? Half and half? Often?

Often

2. If you sometimes sing a cappella, under what circumstances? Because the musicians didn't show up? Because you give that style a portion of the worship time? Do you do it for congregational songs, or only on solos or special numbers?

Because the musicians weren't there. We've never had anyone not just show up.

Because we have given that style a portion of the worship time.

We do it for congregational songs. I do it several times a year during solos. Last a cappella solo was Lord, I Want To Be A Christian.

 

I love good close a cappella harmony. At the end of a hymn, sometimes I will have the congregation sing the chorus again without any instruments. And sometimes the choir does spirituals a cappella.

 

Generally speaking, when I use unaccompanied singing in our church, it is used as a means of achieving variety in our congragational singing.

One of the ways of varying hymn singing is to occasionally sing 1 or 2 stanzas unaccompanied, especially if the text leans well to it. Sometimes we will repeat a refrain or tag-line unaccompanied as a means of closing. Occasionally the choir or a soloist will sing unaccompanied if the song so dictates.

I've used an unaccompanied soloist or small group as a prayer response from the rear of the sanctuary. The only problem with this is that everyone turns to look rather than reflect on the text and mood.

I love unaccompanied singing, but not to the exclusion of using instruments.

Remember, the human voice is the only musical instrument created by a direct act of God.

Tim

 

We should all get harps if we want to do exactly like in the Bible...

I have to admit, singing is not my gift. Some people sing bass, baritone, tenor, alto or soprano. I sing filler. If you picture a 25 voice choir, probably 5 to 10 can actually sing and the rest are like me, they sing filler. I also have a very bad memory so am really known to blow the words.

Funny story, a few years ago on mothers day, we had all the Church mothers sitting together. There was a mic there because of a presentation we did during the anouncements. Instead of allowing the regular hymn of preparation (Amazing Grace), I decided to sing my own hymn (Mother loves her Children all the time).

I'm singing and our pianist is doing that thing where they try to find your key (well into the song I might add). All of a sudden, you could hear one of the mother's say, "bless his heart, he tries so hard" which was picked up by the mic. I think everyone did all the could to keep from busting a gut.

If the spirit hits me I'll still take off with a song. My wife suggested I stick to ones the rest of the congregation can join in with me.

Oh, as for drowning me out, I got a group of young people I call the crew. It's about 4 drummers, 2 bass and a guy with a sax. They take turns playing so they don't all play at the same time. Once they get going, well, their hearts in the right place...

 

Do you have time for a cappella?

Probably not. Who is that, anyway?

 

We are a smaller church. Run an average of 75 in worship. In the 5 years I've been there, I've never had a pianist just not show up. I've always known in advance.

For a Sunday morning service, I would secure another pianist. For the evening service or a Wednesday night, not necessarily.

 

Not that I think about it, our Chior sings, "tis the old ship of zion" with out music and from time to time we have a guest soloist who might sing a capello.

 

I've sung in a a few of those churches. I have found with groups that small, you're lucky to have a pianist at all.

I lead the music during revival for a little church in So. Alabama. Thinking back, there were probably 15-20 a night. They did not have a pianist. We sang a cappella for 4 of the 5 nights. I brought my keyboard, but ended up not using it.

More often during the Wednesday night prayer services. 20-25 times a year.

A dozen or so for a Sunday PM service.

From time to time to often for a Sunday AM service. We have always had a pianist for the AM service, so singing a cappella for an AM service is by choice. We have sung the doxology a cappella on several occasions. We sing a hymn or chorus just before our intercessory prayer and have sung that a cappella. The choir has sung the Call to Worship several times this year without a pianist.

 

Glad to hear this, I wish my folks would understand that service doesn't stop because the musician isn't there...

 

We sing The Old Ship of Zion

Chorus
Tis the old ship of Zion, Tis the old ship of Zion, Tis the old ship of Zion, Get on board, get on board

V1
It has landed many a thousand x 3
Get on board, get on board

V2
Ain't no danger in the water x 3
Get on board, get on board

V3
It was good for my dear mother x 3
Get on board, get on board

V4
It was good for my dear father x 3
Get on board, get on board

V5
It will take us all to heaven x 3
Get on board, get on board

 

My first batch of music came in today for my a cappella choir at school. Its great. I have been singing "Jamaican Noel" all day!!.......Tiny little baby, tiny little babe He's a tiny little baby born in Bethlehem...

 

You need to start working on your accent or you can't do the song justice.

Say MAAN a lot and start eating jerk chicken...

 

This version.

 

My choir will be singing my own arrangement of "Down in the River to Pray" in a few weeks. Most of my arrangements are acappella.