Harold A. Miller

Avoiding Friction

By W.A. Spicer

Very generally, the world over, I think, the relationships in our work illustrate the text: " Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in…

Question is likely to be in the minds of many choir directors regarding the positions the different parts may take, and the number of voices necessary for each. Also, someone may ask, How may I overcome slight disadvantages…

The health reform program of this mes­sage should be presented through an array of facts abundantly proved by sci­ence, and a line of Scriptural evidence that fully substantiates the claims of the proponent. To deal with…

There is considerable criticism of the way hymns are often played in the church service. Some of the complaints are well founded, while others come from a lack of understanding of the instrument and the music played.…

The ministration of the church service is a unit performed by many whose mu­tual sympathetic assistance is absolutely neces­sary to its proper conduct. The choir does not function separately from other parts of the church hour. Its work fuses,…

Rhythm is the first of a basic trio of three music elements to appeal to the individual. It is the easiest to grasp, and in its simpler forms it gains a hearing even with the uneducated ear.

Melody, another important part of music,…

The song, "Just One Touch" ("Christ in Song," p. 18), lends itself readily to choir use, and has a great circle of friends. It has a strong appeal, for every churchgoer has some hope, even if it be but a flickering one,…

Perhaps there is no other part of the church service that is subjected to so much variety as the piano support of the congre­gational hymn. There is good reason for defi­nite criticism of much of the piano playing during…

Those who are not professional musicians, but who are given responsibility at the piano during the church hour, might welcome a few suggestions toward improving the selection of material for a prelude and an offertory.

A wide variety…

After attending two prominent schools where the standards of artistic church choirs are of the highest, I am impressed with certain trends, which, if carried over into our work, would dilute the strength of our vocal-music program. It has…

It has been said that "singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer." It is pos­sible, of course, to make a wrong interpreta­tion of this simple statement. Worship is an individual act. It is not something that some­one else does for…

To become a professional musician requires considerable time, talent, and effort. Perhaps the general interest in music exceeds that of many other callings which also have their devotees who worship as faithfully at their chosen shrines as…

In the accompanying arrangement of a favorite hymn the appeal will come mainly through the one thought, "Saviour, like a Shepherd lead us," which will…

The more or less 'recent popularity of the  "chorus song" may receive some comment to advantage. The variety of opinions regard­ing the type of song best suited to our evange­listic endeavor is governed by all shades of musical "taste," which…

Fellow musicians, the summer months open their broad arms with warm invitation to be spent in a higher level of service than music alone can offer for its own beautiful sake. We all concede that the primary purpose in establishing our own…

A masterpiece is usually considered to be the product of one of the old music masters at his best. His creation ranks, because of its excellence, head and shoulders above the common. He is a genius, but much of his labor is for that which…

To interpret is both to unfold the thought of the composer in his music setting and to make clear the meaning of the words. Song is a dual art that of poetry and of music.

There is a reason for thus pointing out the gospel song,…

There have been few music forms that have come in for so large a share of both support and criticism as has the gospel song. Let us not forget that Time, the impartial judge, has left his path down through the years strewn with hymns…

The ministry of the Word and music have gone hand in hand with each outstanding advance of the gospel all down through the years. So we should, and may, expect that a similar situation would be in evidence with the church's last stride into…

Music is as much a part of our inner life as the golden juice is part of the orange. It is a natural utterance of a deep-seated emotion and feeling too deep for words. David gave evidence of understanding this mysterious…

The following suggestive interpretative outline for "Rock of Ages" (No. 654 in "Christ in Song") should be impressive. It contains variety, new treatment, and strange­ness. The hymn's existing grip on the spirit­ually minded opens a gate…

The music director is often brought face to face with a delicate situation. Before him stretch several paths. Which shall he choose? Will it be what the musician of the world might term "artistic"? Shall he decide to follow what seems to…

In hymns, more than in any other type of music, there is great necessity to be guided by the words, particularly for hymn specials. Neither octavo or anthem music has much stanza repetition, but instead has harmony to…

To picture a choir conductor who is ideal in training and personality is an easier task than to find one who meets these ideals. A few suggestions are offered, however, which may be helpful in promoting in choir leaders…

An English author came to America to study the musical offerings of the most promi­nent churches, in an effort to determine the trend of music in its relationship to the church service. After personal visits to many of the churches of our…

In many churches a general invitation is made to "those who wish to join the choir," thus throwing down the bars and swinging the gates wide open for anyone who feels inclined to come. This is getting started on the wrong…

Concerning the type of choir music that should be used, there is great difference of opinion. Some advocate the strict style of the classical, to the exclusion of everything else. Others wish to use simple gospel songs.…

I have been deeply impressed with the need of strong ministerial and pas­toral training. We shall need great numbers of those qualified through consecration and training to enter the doors I now open before us, in order to finish God's precious…

There they lay, side by side, the Bible and its companion, the hymnbook. They graced the table in the humble home which I visited. I also noticed the two being carried to church by many worshipers. When I en­tered the chapel, I saw…

There are those who prefer to have no music at the funeral service. This article is not to convince such that it should be used, but only to make a few suggestions to those who prefer its use.

During the time the audience is gathering,…