Having shoved around notes for many years, it is always fascinating to watch what happens when you write a piece of music. It's always a creative roll of the dice: a composer creates something, then, with a lot of luck, it might just get published. And after that, it's in the hands of the Church – at least, in my discipline – to decide a) whether they like it or not; and b) just what kind of an impact it will have in the full landscape of the assembly.
And maybe, when that whole process is completed, a song or hymn or psalm will hang around long enough to become an anthem, and that is an entirely different matter altogether. For a the hymn, or the song, or the composer does not decide this. This honor is bestowed by the people, and only after years of use.
In my tenure with the Folk Choir, "anthem status" has, by my reckoning, only been achieved twice. Neither of them came about by official proclamation – rather, the song itself claimed possession of the title after years and years of hallowed use by those who sang it.
The first such would be "How Can I Keep From Singing?" It was one of the first octavos printed by World Library Publications under the "Songs of the Notre Dame Folk Choir" masthead. But even so, it wasn't until about two years ago that people started saying that it was the "anthem of the ensemble." We found ourselves using the piece, almost consistently, at the end of all our concert presentations. And it was deserving of the distinction.
Which leads me to the second anthem. Now, after years and years of use, it appears that the Folk Choir likewise has an "Easter anthem." Happily, this one is by another great American writer of sacred music, Christopher Walker. It would be hard to imagine going through an Easter celebration without experiencing the unbridled joy the Folk Choir brings to the culminating verse of his antiphonal hymn "Out of Darkness."
Let your sadness be no more,
Christ has opened Heaven's door.
Death has no more power to slay;
This is Resurrection Day! Copyright © 1989 Christopher Walker and OCP Publications
This piece, because it has elevated so many hearts over the years, has itself been elevated by the very voices that have sung her hopeful lyrics: It has become an "anthem."
To all of you amazing singers and instrumentalists that brought life to Chris Walker's hymn again this year (and similarly, to all the Folk Choir members of the past), I say, "thank God for your enthusiasm, your joy, and your bold proclamation that death never has the final word."
Happy Easter to all of you!
And maybe, when that whole process is completed, a song or hymn or psalm will hang around long enough to become an anthem, and that is an entirely different matter altogether. For a the hymn, or the song, or the composer does not decide this. This honor is bestowed by the people, and only after years of use.
In my tenure with the Folk Choir, "anthem status" has, by my reckoning, only been achieved twice. Neither of them came about by official proclamation – rather, the song itself claimed possession of the title after years and years of hallowed use by those who sang it.
The first such would be "How Can I Keep From Singing?" It was one of the first octavos printed by World Library Publications under the "Songs of the Notre Dame Folk Choir" masthead. But even so, it wasn't until about two years ago that people started saying that it was the "anthem of the ensemble." We found ourselves using the piece, almost consistently, at the end of all our concert presentations. And it was deserving of the distinction.
Which leads me to the second anthem. Now, after years and years of use, it appears that the Folk Choir likewise has an "Easter anthem." Happily, this one is by another great American writer of sacred music, Christopher Walker. It would be hard to imagine going through an Easter celebration without experiencing the unbridled joy the Folk Choir brings to the culminating verse of his antiphonal hymn "Out of Darkness."
Let your sadness be no more,
Christ has opened Heaven's door.
Death has no more power to slay;
This is Resurrection Day! Copyright © 1989 Christopher Walker and OCP Publications
This piece, because it has elevated so many hearts over the years, has itself been elevated by the very voices that have sung her hopeful lyrics: It has become an "anthem."
To all of you amazing singers and instrumentalists that brought life to Chris Walker's hymn again this year (and similarly, to all the Folk Choir members of the past), I say, "thank God for your enthusiasm, your joy, and your bold proclamation that death never has the final word."
Happy Easter to all of you!
The Folk Choir "anthems" for me have always been, and always will be Hallelujah My Father and your version of The Lord's Prayer. Both are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter Steve, and to all the Choir. I echo Michelle's comment about The Lord's Prayer :) Love, Moira
ReplyDeleteFor me the the Folk Choir Anthems were always Hallelujah My Father and How Can I Keep From Singing. Such wonderful memories of joy! Happy Easter Steve, and thank you for sharing your amazing ministry of music and love with each one of us!
ReplyDeleteLove, Eileen
For me the the Folk Choir Anthems were always Hallelujah My Father and How Can I Keep From Singing. Such wonderful memories of joy! Happy Easter Steve, and thank you for sharing your amazing ministry of music and love with each one of us!
ReplyDeleteLove, Eileen