Guidelines for music in stake meetings shared with Kevin Jones, Stake Music Chairman

13 May 2018

(Name Stake Music Director),

Thank you for being so patient with me. You were patient with me when we served together in the bishopric and again now you must put up with me wondering if I’m going to second guess your selection of music for every stake meeting.

I’d like to change—repent, if you will.

Let me offer these guidelines and then you choose and I’ll support without question. Is that OK?

Guidelines for music in all stake meetings:

1. Always hymns or Primary songs.

We want to follow the example of General Conference and have all congregational numbers come from the hymns found in our hymnals. Arrangements of hymns and, on occasion other music like Primary songs, are very appropriate for special numbers by choirs or groups.

2. Familiar hymns.

Stake meetings are not the time to introduce, i.e. practice, not-so-familiar hymns even though it’s tempting to want to teach and expand the repertoire of members' familiarity. We want everyone to be able to to participate in every meeting, if they choose to, and congregational singing is where that will happen. It’s important they are familiar with the music we all sing.

3. Match the theme, if possible. 

We will try to share with you as early as possible the theme or objective(s) of all stake meetings then we would appreciate you prayerfully considering the lyrics of hymns in support of the theme.

4. Concise hymns.

As you know, a number of hymns, even some familiar ones, have many verses or a repetitive chorus take a long time. While we value greatly the contribution music makes to a meeting, we would appreciate it if it is supportive, not dominant or too long. We are always concerned that stake meetings go too long and we want to do better in respecting the members’ time and willingness to attend “another non-essential meeting."

5. Bring energy to the meeting.

One way to keep the music concise is to choose hymns that move quickly and bring a spirit of enthusiasm and energy into the meeting so hearts are uplifted and eager to receive the messages from those assigned to teach and testify. 

6. Be considerate of those presenting the music.

We want to be sensitive to the fact that there are a limited number of members who can play and conduct music in meetings. So you may need to give consideration to hymns they are familiar with and we’re OK with that. 

Thank you for giving the above your consideration for our Stake Priesthood Meeting this Tuesday and all future stake meetings. With that, I will accept your selection without challenge or reservation.

Will you please go ahead and choose the two hymns for this Tuesday’s meeting? If you choose to stay with the two numbers you selected originally, I will not ask you to change them.

Thanks again for being so patient with me over the years. I hope the above is helpful and you will know how much we love you and are so grateful for your magnificent talent that you have so generously shared with all of us. We are truly blessed to have you in our stake and now overseeing the music in our stake.

Gratefully,

Crismon