I sing in the church choir for most of the school/church year, from mid-September to mid-June. We sing an anthem, the offertory, and another piece or two. But in summer church, I’m part of the congregation. In some respects, it’s nice. I get to sit with my wife, e.g.
On the other hand, congregational singing tends to be in unison. When you’re used to singing in four-part harmony – bass, or occasionally, second tenor – singing the melody for three or five verses is… less interesting. But singing in parts when everyone around you sings the top line is a little strange sonically. It’s not that I haven’t done that, but still.
I can tell that other choir members feel the same thing. Last week, after the passing of the peace, we sang the Gloria Patri by Henry Wellington Greatorex. I happened to be standing near four basses and an alto. Know for sure we were singing parts. (I looked for church recordings, but like this one, the melody overwhelms.
Parts!
I was sitting near the tenor soloist, who sang the psalter, the communion music, and other pieces. Without any prior agreement, we sang the hymns with at least the middle verses in parts.
The opening hymn was Praise to the Lord, the Almighty. (You can hear some harmony in the middle verses, plus a descant in the final verse in this recording of a Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Day Service 2020. It is based on Psalm 103,” originally written in German by Joachim Neander (1650-80), translated into English by Catherine Winkworth (1827-78) and others. Set to the tune, LOBE DEN HERREN, which is the melody to ‘Hast du denn, Liebster’ in 17th-century German collections.”
Hymn #2 was O God of Every Nation with words William Watkins Reid, Jr. from 1958. This recording was created by one of those virtual COVID choir choirs, which lets one hear the parts much easier. I like the lyrics a lot.
The final hymn was an oldie, How Firm A Foundation. This version is very mechanical, but at least you get a sense of the harmony.
The responsive hymn was the first verse of Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing, known as Sicilian Mariners. This recording is just an instrumental.
My point is that Josh and I had a great time singing in parts while being in the congregation. We didn’t even have to look at the music, only some of the words. And isn’t joy what we’re looking for?