| Music
Overview | Parish Organ
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Music Series |
Introduction
There is
a quote by John Calvin which goes something like this: “Music
is a funnel into the soul through which theology can be poured.”
Here at
St. Mark's we seek to offer a variety of musical styles, while
leaning heavily upon the English choral tradition which has
provided such an enormous resource of inspired religious song.
The music which we offer is but one thread in the tapestry we
seek to weave in worship. Our various choirs, instrumentalists,
and our wonderful organ realize their greatest potential when
they are used to bring people into the life-changing presence
of God, the Creator of all things.
God has
provided the Church with all manner of wonderful tools with
which we can open the hearts and minds of individuals to his
immeasureable love, mercy, and forgiveness. Art, architecture,
the spoken word, liturgy, and music can usher people into God’s
presence, often when they may least expect it, and at times
with an intensity for which they were unprepared.
The exhortation,
“Sing to the Lord” appears throughout Scripture.
This is a clear indication that musical expression is part of
the response we are expected to make to God’s self-revelation.
Speech, silence, and action alone are not always sufficient.
Liturgical conversation with God can transcend the limitations
of human speech, and so we call upon our music, both vocal and
instrumental, for help. As Pope Benedict XVI has said, “Liturgical
music is a result of the claim and the dynamics of the Word’s
incarnation. . . . Faith becoming music is a part of the process
of the Word becoming flesh”
In the context
of the worshipping life of the Church, music has the potential
to communicate the exciting truths of the Christian faith to
our lives in a way that reaches deeply into the hearts of who
we are. Music reaches our wills through our emotions, and can
open us up to incredible, life-changing experiences. As Richard
Webster has said, "Hymns lift us out of ourselves and into
a place where the presence of God is truly felt, a transcendence
that leads to transformation."
This transcendence
is best served when we give serious thought to the quality of
music we utilize. In offering us his Son, God gave us the very
best he had. Should we not, in all things, offer him the very
best we have in return?
Again, the
words of Pope Benedict XVI speak to this issue: “Liturgy
is the work of God as well as the people, acted in and through
the communion of saints, an act of being as well as participating
which takes place through history, mystery and the entire cosmos.
If it is indeed the work of God then it stands in opposition
to the idea of it being the creation of any one particular group.
Liturgy is not merely doing, it is being, and an event of both
heaven and earth. Artistic church music resonates the glory
of God, and therefore cannot be considered utilitarian. ‘Light’
music does not wish to say anything, but seeks only to break
up the burden of silence."
We gladly
welcome anyone of any age who wishes to be a part of the music
program here at St. Mark’s. Whether from the pew or the
choir loft, may we always celebrate God’s gift of music!
"Glorify
the Lord and exalt him as much as you are able, for he surpasses
even that. When you exalt him, summon all your strength, and
do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough."
Ecclesiasticus
43:30
Charles
Snider, Organist & Choirmaster
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Charles Snider
Marsha Webster, Music Associate for Children's Choirs
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Marsha Webster
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