We appreciate so much the way you share your talents to bless our stake. Your music support is invaluable to us, especially as we move toward meeting again in person in sacrament meeting.
In fact, you’ll get a sense of how important it is to me personally when you read the email below that I sent to bishoprics and branch presidencies on Sept 2.
NEW PHASE
We are entering a new phase in our meeting plans where we now have what some call hybrid sacrament meetings—they are both available for in-person attendance as well as for watching online via webcasts.
Because those who meet in person will not feel as free to sing, because of the state’s indoor face covering requirement, the focus of our music is to help those at home sing together the hymns of Zion during sacrament meetings. Needless to say, that isn’t easy.
CHORISTER GUIDELINES
So we’re asking the chorister, during the singing only, to remove your mask and sing while directing the music. Please position yourself on the stand where: (1) the accompanist can see you, (2) but you’re distant from everyone else on the stand and, (3) most importantly, where you can be seen by the camera that is focused on the pulpit as well as everyone in the audience.
Please do not go up to the pulpit to direct the music, but make sure you can be seen by the camera, that your arm movement is somewhat demonstrative or expressive and, while singing, you are mouthing the words clearly so those at home can easily follow you. You may feel you’re singing a solo. We know that’s awkward, but appreciate your willingness knowing how much you’re helping those at home.
ORGANIST OR PIANIST
We appreciate the organist or pianist to always wear a face covering throughout the meeting, even during the music, and to maintain social distancing from the chorister when seated, unless you both live in the same household.
We ask you to please provide at least 15 minutes of prelude and postlude music or at least until the chapel is empty and the virtual webcast has concluded. We have found that as long as the bishop allows the webcast to continue, many people stay on to listen to the postlude music just because it feels so good to hear the hymns being played again on an organ.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Brother Jones, our Stake Music Director, or myself
Thank you again for your devoted service during this very unusual time.
President Lewis
EMAIL SENT ON SEPT. 2, 2020:
TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies
Dear Brethren,
As we prepare to begin webcasting sacrament meetings from the chapel, please review together the following:
Several years ago I was reading King Benjamin's sermon in Mosiah 5. I noticed in verse 2 that the people "all cried with one voice" when making a covenant. I thought, "I wonder why we don't cry with one voice in our worship services?" Just then the Spirit whispered, "You sing!"
Ever since then I have cherished the wonderful element of congregational singing in every sacrament meeting.
As we transition to the chapel this weekend, we ask that you please find a way to incorporate congregational singing—especially members singing at home—in your virtual sacrament meetings. Also those in the chapel are now invited to sing reverently through their masks.
How do you incorporate congregational singing in a virtual meeting?
Here are three suggestions:
- Have a music conductor with organ or piano accompaniment in the chapel direct the music over Zoom and encourage those at home to sing along. Some wards have learned how to overlay the lyrics on the screen. Encourage those in the chapel also to sing reverently through their masks.
- Screen share the playing of hymns on the Church's music website. We recommend you click on "Vocals and Music" to the right of the lyrics. It's easier for those at home to sing along when they can hear others singing.
- Show a video clip of a congregational hymn in General Conference and encourage those at home and in the chapel to sing along.
You can help members prepare to sing at home by identifying the hymns to be sung when you send your broadcast email announcing your sacrament meeting. That way those at home can have the lyrics ready.
Thank you for making congregational singing an essential part of your virtual sacrament meetings.
Gratefully,
President Lewis and the Stake Presidency
No comments:
Post a Comment