CELEBRATING FAITH THROUGH MUSIC By Ronda Hinrichsen

The October General Conference marks the beginning of a beloved time of year. With Thanksgiving reunions just around the corner, Christmas surprises close on its heels, and inspired words from our prophet ringing through our hearts, we can’t help but rejoice. And that rejoicing is only increased when we add music to our celebrations.

Consider the Christmas season. Each year, we observe through sacred words, nativities, and gift-giving the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. However, some of my most memorable celebrations have come through my participation in music. For example, each year when I hear “Silent Night” on Christmas Eve or sing the words “yet in my flesh shall I see God” from Handel’s “Messiah,” I inwardly rejoice.

Special commemorations are not the only ways we can celebrate our faith. According to the dictionary, to celebrate also means to proclaim widely and favorably, so when we bear our testimonies in Sacrament Meetings or express our gratitude to God around our Thanksgiving tables, we are, in fact, celebrating our faith. But if we combine those proclamations with music, our rejoicing becomes even more profound. For example, if it wasn’t for the musical celebrations performed each Sunday morning by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, my husband’s father would not have found the church. According to him, years ago neither he nor his family belonged to a church, but they did regularly listen to the Tabernacle Choir’s Sunday radio broadcast. One day, the missionaries came to the door and asked him if he’d like to learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He refused. The missionaries then asked him what church he did belong to, and he, not knowing what else to say, said, “The Church of Richard L. Evans.” The two missionaries looked at each other and then said, “That’s us!” Needless to say, my father-in-law let the missionaries in, and his family later joined the church.

This leads me to another way we celebrate our faith. It is not defined in the dictionary, nevertheless, it is very real and comes nearest, I believe, to true heavenly rejoicing. It is the method born of Spirit speaking to spirit and is one of the tender mercies given to us from the Lord. The only feeling I can think of that comes closest to it is like what we feel those first moments after the birth of a baby. But more frequently, that spiritual celebration comes through our hymns.

Elder Merrill J. Bateman told the following story :

“Heather . . . suffered from a rare disease called glutaric acidemia. . . (It) results in acid forming in the muscles similar to that which occurs following a period of intense physical activity . . . (and) As she grew, she was confined to a wheelchair, was unable to speak, and could send messages only with her eyes. A direct gaze and a smile meant yes. A blink meant no. Despite the handicaps, one could feel her vibrant spirit.

“. . . When she was old enough, the parents enrolled Heather in a special school . . .One morning as Heather and the teacher visited about the prior weekend, the teacher learned that Heather had attended Primary. The teacher then sang for Heather “When He Comes Again.”

“The expression on Heather’s face revealed the delight within her. When the teacher asked Heather if she had a favorite song, the young girl’s wide eyes and engaging smile left little doubt. But what was the song? Through a series of questions, the teacher learned that Heather’s song was one she had heard in Primary . . . (and after three days of painstaking work) the teacher (finally) began to sing, “There is sunshine in my soul today.” Heather’s body jumped, and a big smile crossed her face. Her eyes gazed directly into the teacher’s, indicating success . . . Both teacher and student rejoiced.

“. . . After finishing the first verse and chorus, the teacher asked if she wanted to hear the rest of the verses, and Heather’s eyes opened wide with a firm yes. The teacher began to sing:

There is music in my soul today,

A carol to my King,

And Jesus listening can hear

The songs I cannot sing.

“Heather’s reaction to these lines was so strong that the teacher stopped. As the reality and significance of the words pressed on the teacher’s mind, she asked: “Heather, is that what you like about the song? . . . Does Jesus . . . hear the songs you cannot sing?”

“The direct, penetrating gaze indicated yes.

“Feeling guided by the Spirit, the teacher asked, “Heather, does Jesus talk to you in your mind and in your heart?”

“Again, the child’s look was penetrating.

“. . . Does Jesus say, ‘Heather, I love you’?”

“Heather’s radiant eyes widened, and she smiled.

“After a pause, the teacher asked next, “Does He say, ‘Heather, you’re special’?”

“The answer again was yes.

“Finally the teacher asked, “Does He say, ‘Heather, be patient; I have great things in store for you’?”

“Heather summoned all her strength, and her head became erect and her eyes penetrated the teacher’s soul. She knew she was
loved, she was special, and she needed only to be patient.

“Two years later, Heather died . . .Her younger brother Mark also suffers from the disease but not to the extent of his older sisters. . . As the parents discussed Heather’s passing and the funeral that would take place, Mark exclaimed, “No go Heather’s funeral!” . . . For two days he could not be persuaded.

“On the morning of the funeral, the father went to Mark’s room to get him up. As he entered the room, Mark was sitting up in bed with a big smile on his face. His first words were, “Dad, go Heather’s funeral!”

“The father responded, “Mark, what has changed your mind?”

“. . . Dad, dreamed about Heather.”

“Mark, what was Heather doing?”

“Oh, Dad, Heather running and jumping and singing, ‘There is sunshine in my soul today.’ Dad, go Heather’s funeral.”

It’s no secret that I love music, especially the hymns of the church. Perhaps that’s because music is one of my talents, or maybe it’s because I grow closer to God through the hymns, but whatever the truth, I am grateful I can celebrate my faith in Jesus Christ through music.

“Because I have loved so deeply,

Because I have loved so long,

God in His great compassion

Gave me the gift of song.” (Paul Laurence Dunbar)

CHRISTMAS MUSIC & NARRATION PROGRAM By Ronda Hinrichsen

For the past three years, a good friend of mine--a violin teacher (and and her students)--and I (with my piano students) have presented a Christmas program of music and narration for a local nursing home. Since it is a generalized program that can incorporate different music titles each year, I thought I'd share it with you, my readers, in case you're searching for something similar.


CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

SONG:             JOY TO THE WORLD

NARRATION:   
Christmas is a sacred season. It’s a time when love increases, friendships deepen, and hearts join together to celebrate the birth of Christ. Tonight, several young music students will celebrate these feelings and their love of Christ through their music. The first numbers are traditional and folk carols; but just as all things that are filled with the Christmas spirit, their ultimate messages reflect unity, joy, and peace in Christ.

SONGS:          GOOD KING WENCESLAS
                       GOD REST YE MERRY GENTLEMAN
                       I SAW THREE SHIPS

NARRATION:
Favorite Christmas symbols also reflect the Savior, such as candy canes for shepherd’s crooks, candles for lights that can not be hid, and wreaths as the promise of Eternal Life. But what about the snow? Could it be that it represents all that is white, and good, and pure? Or, perhaps it is because, that while we know Christ was born in the spring, we continue to celebrate it in the winter because it represents the hope Christ brought to our dark and dying world.

SONGS:         IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER
                     JOLLY OLD ST. NICHOLAS
                     SLEIGHRIDE
                     O CHRISTMAS TREE

NARRATION:
“And (Mary) brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

SONG:         AWAY IN A MANGER

NARRATION:
This is what we think of when we picture Christ’s birth. But what were the first sounds the holy child heard? Was it the gentle lullaby of His mother? The calming low of cattle? Or was it the peaceful jingling of bells—bells worn by lambs?

SONGS:        CAROL OF THE BELLS
                     JINGLE BELLS
                     SILVER BELLS

 NARRATION:
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David as Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

SONGS:        OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL
                     HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING
NARRATION:
Christmas is a sacred season. It’s a time when love increases, friendships deepen, and hearts join together to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is also a time to remember one of Christ’s greatest promises: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

SONGS:        SILENT NIGHT
                     WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

End

WE BELIEVE IN CHRIST By Ronda Hinrichsen

      (A sacred, musical Christmas program for FHE, Ward Choir programs, or other inspirational services.)

Author’s Note: This program includes a list of hymns which may be sung by choirs, congregations, or family members throughout the course of the performance; however, these hymns are suggestions only and may be substituted by hymn arrangements or other appropriate music.

Performance Time: Approximately 40 minutes.

Speakers Needed: 
Narrator 1
Narrator 2

Suggested Hymns:

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Hymns #208)—sung twice

The Lord is My Light (Hymns #89)

Once in Royal David’s City (Hymns #205)

While Shepherd’s Watched their Flocks (Hymns #211)

Who Is the Child? (CSB, pg. 46)

With Wondering Awe (Hymns #210)

Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus (CSB, pg. 36)

I Believe in Christ (Hymns #134)

NARRATOR 1:           Since the beginning of time, prophets have testified that Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, would come to the earth. Moses said the Only Begotten Son would come in the meridian of time (Moses 5:57-59).

NARRATOR 2:           Isaiah declared: “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).” And Micah prophesied that the promised Messiah would be born in the little town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

SONG:                        O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM (Hymns #208)

NARRATOR 1:           Mary, Jesus’ mother, also testified of Christ’s coming birth. Soon after the angel Gabriel told her she would conceive and bear the Son of God, she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth. There, she rejoiced, saying: “My soul doth magnify the Lord,

“And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.

“For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

“For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

“And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

“He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

“He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.     

“He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

                                    “He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;

“As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever (Luke 1:46-55).”

SONG:                        THE LORD IS MY LIGHT (Hymns #89)

NARRATOR 2:           Several months later, God fulfilled His promise to the world by sending the Messiah. The apostle, Luke records:

“And it came to pass, in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...

                                    “And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem...

                                    “To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

“And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:1, 3-7).

SONG:                        ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY (Hymns #205)

NARRATOR 1:           “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

NARRATOR 2:           “And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:8-11).”

SONG:                        WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS (Hymns #211)

NARRATOR 1:           Some who saw the Holy Child may have asked: “Is this the One? Is this truly the Creator of the World?” But others knew the truth.

NARRATOR 2:           “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

“And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child (Luke 2:15-17).”

NARRATOR 1:           Because these humble men obeyed the Lord, they were privileged to not only see the Christ, but to also testify of his divinity. They knew that Jesus truly was the One.

SONG:                        WHO IS THE CHILD? (CSB, pg. 46)

NARRATOR 1:           The heavens also declared Christ’s divinity. In Matthew, chapter 2, it states:

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

                                   “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are

                                   come to worship him . . . 

                                   “and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where

                                   the young child was (Matthew 2:1-2, 9).”

SONG:                        WITH WONDERING AWE (Hymns #210)

NARRATOR 2:          Those who lived on the American continent saw the star, too, but shortly before it appeared in the sky, Jesus Christ, Himself, testified that He, the Son of God, would soon be born on the earth. In the Book of Mormon we read:

“And it came to pass that... the prophesies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people.

“But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite . . .

NARRATOR 1:          “Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except    the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.

NARRATOR 2:          “Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.

                                   “And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily
                                   to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their
                                   faith in the tradition of their fathers.

                                   “And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the
                                   Lord came unto him, saying:

NARRATOR 1:           “Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

“Behold, I come unto my own, to fulfill all things which I have made known unto the children of men from the foundation of the world, to do the will, both of the Father and of the Son—of the Father because of me, and of the Son because of my flesh. And behold, the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given (III Nephi 1:4-5, 9-14).”

SONG:                        SAMUEL TELLS OF THE BABY JESUS (CSB, pg. 36)

NARRATOR 2:           Christ’s personal testimony, followed by the promised signs, not only saved His people, but also
                                    brought peace and truth to all. This is what Christ always does for us. He teaches us. He
                                    strengthens us. He comforts us in our times of need. But most of all, He redeems us.

NARRATOR 1:           That is why we believe in Christ.

SONG:                        I BELIEVE IN CHRIST (Hymns #134)

SONG:                        O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM (Hymns #208)

                                                                                End

BATS, SNAKES, AND MUSIC LESSONS By Ronda Hinrichsen

Several years ago, I heard a true story of two sister missionaries in Louisiana. One day while they were tracting, they saw something fall from a tree approximately two residences away from them.

            “It’s a bat,” one said.

            To which her companion replied, “No, it’s not. It’s a snake.”

            Back and forth the Sisters quarreled until they finally decided to discontinue the fight, step away from their current positions, and approach the place where it had fallen so they could get another, better view. Only then did they learn who was right.

As both a piano teacher and a mother of a sometimes reluctant piano student, these same three principles have helped me encourage both my students and my child to practice when we have bumped into periods of practice resistance. And each time I have utilized them, I’ve kept two of my most important, musical teaching/parental goals: one, my student (or child) and I have retained open levels of communication, and two, they have eventually regained their own desires to practice.

Principle one, discontinue the fight. Just as the Sisters had to stop bickering before they could effectively progress, so, too, must parents and children avoid contention so that the child’s learning can move forward. Music has the innate ability to lift hearts and soothe emotions; it can—and should—feed the soul. That means parents will be most effective if they first refuse to turn a child’s practice sessions into a battleground. The best way to do this is to establish practice guidelines before the student begins lessons so that practice becomes non-negotiable. However, if practicing disputes do arise; further student rebellion can be avoided by simply asking your student why he doesn’t want to practice. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t like the piece his teacher has assigned him. Maybe he feels the piece is too difficult. Maybe he has a personality conflict with his teacher. Or maybe he just had a bad day or is too tired. Only after you discover his reason can you then find a suitable solution.

Second, step away. One of the benefits the two missionaries received from following this principal was they physically removed themselves from their embattled positions. It can provide the same benefit to your music student. Learning an instrument demands hard work and dedication, and just like any other “work,” can be refreshed and even improved by getting away from it; i.e., taking a short, “break.” One effective break is to divide practice time into two or three smaller sessions, such as practicing half the required pieces or minutes before school and the other half after school. Another is to occasionally turn your student’s practicing time into “game” or “variation” time. Consider these ideas:

·        Have a family practice/talent show or play “American Idol,” with every family member taking turns practicing her instrument while the others “judge.”

·        Adapt board games by turning the instructions on squares to challenging musical tasks. Or play television games like “Hollywood Squares” or “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” with musical questions and terms. There are also several musical games you can purchase in music stores or over the internet.

·        Make or purchase flashcards. They can be a fun way to review notes and musical terms; and if you “double” them, you can turn them into a matching game.

·        Put each of your student’s practicing assignments on individual pieces of paper and have her “fish” her next task from a “hat.” This option is even more effective if the parent takes a practice turn, too.

·        Let your child roll dice or pull a number from a bowl to see how many times she will practice her next piece.

·        Offer rewards. Perhaps a candy corn, an M&M, or an apple slice after correctly playing one song. Or keep a weekly tally and exchange, say 20 marks, into a larger reward. Favorite activities are also great motivators.

Principle three, assess the situation from another viewpoint. The way the missionaries did this was to walk to where they’d seen the creature fall from the tree. Sometimes this is what students need to do, too; they need to see their “creature”—their practicing—from an altered perspective. I’ve listed some applicable, view-changing techniques below.

·        Make up words or stories to music they believe is “boring.”

·        Provide opportunities for your student to perform, other than at recitals. Students tend to rise to the challenge when they know they have an upcoming performance.

·        Tape record your student’s pieces so they can not only share them with others but also be the audience of their own work.

·        With the help of your student’s teacher, purchase or provide level appropriate “fun” music—pieces they want to play but aren’t required to practice—and allow them a special session of playing only what they want to play.

·        Occasionally suggest they “modify” their pieces by playing the legato sections staccato, increasing or decreasing the tempo, and/or tweaking the dynamic markings.

·        Let your student be the teacher. Allow him to teach you principles such as how to find “C” on the piano or how to tell the difference between forte and moderato. More advanced students can show you how to distinguish between the major and minor scales or what an inversion is. 

·        Have your student keep a list of new skills he’s acquired or of all the pieces he’s learned (include the title and the composer). This will not only provide him with a sense of accomplishment but also encourage him to add to that list by practicing.

Last but not definitely not least, allow yourself time to notice the truth—the beauty—of what your student has accomplished. When my friend and her companion finally discovered what had truly fallen from the tree, they marveled. Why? Because it was a snake with a bat in its mouth. Both Sisters had been correct, and both suddenly realized they needed each other’s perspective in order to see the whole picture.

So it is with our children. They need our viewpoints and our guidance to encourage, challenge, and praise them as they struggle to learn a musical instrument, but most of all, they need us to help them cherish the unique beauty and inspiration they are learning to create through their instrument.

And when they find that joy, we, their parents, have all we need.

Check below for further practice tips.

Family Education

Piano Education

Piano Instruction