Worship Music

[_subgenius]

but to be fair, let us consider "Mormon music" in general

http://www.mormonmusic.org/

[_Albion]

I think both these are unfair comparisons. Both the examples given for Mormon worship music are special events in a special location...and both feature main elements that did not come out of Mormonism...a very good Catholic singer in one instance and the work of a pre Mormon times Christian in Handel. Better examples for comparison would be typical offerings from regular Mormon services featuring Moron singer, musicians, and Mormon compositions. Do you have any of those to offer...I suspect not.

[_Mittens]

No where in the Bible does does it say anyone held Melchizedek Priesthood other than Jesus and Melchizedek who was the preincarnate Jesus, no one

Hebews 7

(b) Melchizedek placed a blessing upon mighty Abraham,
and as everyone knows, a person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person he blesses.
(c) The Jewish priests, though mortal, received tithes; but we are told that Melchizedek lives on.
(d) One might even say that Levi himself (the ancestor of all Jewish priests, of all who receive tithes), paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham.
For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham when Abraham paid the tithes to Melchizedek.
(e) If the Jewish priests and their laws had been able to save us, why then did God need to send Christ as a priest with the rank of Melchizedek, instead of sending someone with the rank of Aaron—the same rank all other priests had?
And when God sends a new kind of priest, his law must be changed to permit it. As we all know, Christ did not belong to the priest-tribe of Levi, but came from the tribe of Judah, which had not been chosen for priesthood; Moses had never given them that work.
So we can plainly see that God’s method changed, for Christ, the new High Priest who came with the rank of Melchizedek,
did not become a priest by meeting the old requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but on the basis of power flowing from a life that cannot end.
And the psalmist points this out when he says of Christ, “You are a priest forever with the rank of Melchizedek.”
Yes, the old system of priesthood based on family lines was canceled because it didn’t work. It was weak and useless for saving people.
It never made anyone really right with God. But now we have a far better hope, for Christ makes us acceptable to God, and now we may draw near to him.
God took an oath that Christ would always be a Priest,
although he never said that of other priests. Only to Christ he said, “The Lord has sworn and will never change his mind: You are a Priest forever, with the rank of Melchizedek.”
Because of God’s oath, Christ can guarantee forever the success of this new and better arrangement.
Under the old arrangement there had to be many priests so that when the older ones died off, the system could still be carried on by others who took their places.
But Jesus lives forever and continues to be a Priest so that no one else is needed.
He is able to save completely all who come to God through him. Since he will live forever, he will always be there to remind God that he has paid for their sins with his blood.
He is, therefore, exactly the kind of High Priest we need; for he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin, undefiled by sinners, and to him has been given the place of honor in heaven.
He never needs the daily blood of animal sacrifices, as other priests did, to cover over first their own sins and then the sins of the people; for he finished all sacrifices, once and for all, when he sacrificed himself on the cross.
Under the old system, even the high priests were weak and sinful men who could not keep from doing wrong, but later God appointed by his oath his Son who is perfect forever.

[_jo1952]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1a0mp0eoLhw

likewise

Hi Subgenius,

Thank you for sharing!!

I love this piece from the Messiah! Having participated in a few performances of selections from the Messiah (it takes hours to perform the entire work - so most local choirs usually only perform a handful of selections), I can tell you how difficult it is!! But, oh, it is worth the effort! The first time I heard the entire Messiah performed live, I went to Los Angeles to hear the Southern California Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform it. When they got to the Hallelujah Chorus it lifted me right out my seat. I did not learn until later that it was traditional for an audience to stand during that song. Most assuredly, Handel was inspired!!

Did you know that Handel composed the entire Messiah in just 24 days?!!! Now that's a WOW if I ever heard one!

I thought I would share some information about the choir:

http://mormontabernaclechoir.org/faq#13

Do choir and orchestra members get paid for their service?

No. All 360 members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and all 110 members of the Orchestra at Temple Square are unpaid volunteers who practice and perform weekly. Choir members rehearse and perform about five hours in an average week—Thursday nights for two hours and Sunday mornings for more than three hours. This does not include touring, for which members often take time off from work, sometimes foregoing personal vacations. All members must attend a minimum of 75 percent of rehearsals and performances.


How does one join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?

The Choir accepts applications for new singers during the first week of January and July every year. Before members join the Choir, they undergo a rigorous audition process consisting of three phases, which take place over approximately six months. Prospective Choir members also must be active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be recommended by their bishops and live within 100 miles of Temple Square. Applicants must be between 25 and 55 years of age. Tenure in the Choir is 20 years or until age 60.

In the first step of the audition process, applicants submit an unaccompanied recording of a song selected by the Music Director. The second stage of the audition, a musical skills test, measures musical ability and aptitude. Applicants with an acceptable test score are then scheduled for an audition before the Director and Associate Director. In the third stage, individuals perform a hymn of their choice, sight-read a piece of music and test their vocal range.

Even after selections of new singers are made, the evaluation process is not quite complete. The selected singers are brought into the Temple Square Chorale for a three-month period during which they attend musical training classes and sing with the Chorale. If they successfully complete the training program, they become members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Pretty amazing, yes? Sometimes, when I get to see some of the most unusual and beautiful things which our Savior created in our world, I spontaneously will break out in song. His artistry and and His love, as well as the love of our Heavenly Father simply overwhelm me. Most times when I am out riding enjoying God's handiwork - and especially while sitting upon one of His most noble creatures - I simply cry in joy and humility for being allowed to experience such moments.

Oh, I've probably shared this - or you've probably heard and seen it before. However, it does not have to be the MTC singing praises to our God which I enjoy. This is one of my favorites. Turn up the volume and let your spirit be filled:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMLMj-SibU

Love,

jo

[_jo1952]

but to be fair, let us consider "Mormon music" in general

http://www.mormonmusic.org/

I don't know if you have heard of this group, The Lower Lights. I love their style - it is simple and pure. It makes me think of the pioneers and how often they would been limited to the types of instruments available to play while they sang. I bought their CD and find that I need a "fix" every week or so. Give the site time to completely load before you click on the play arrow.

http://thelowerlights.bandcamp.com/trac ... -of-israel

Love,

jo

[_subgenius]

I think both these are unfair comparisons. Both the examples given for Mormon worship music are special events in a special location...and both feature main elements that did not come out of Mormonism...a very good Catholic singer in one instance and the work of a pre Mormon times Christian in Handel. Better examples for comparison would be typical offerings from regular Mormon services featuring Moron singer, musicians, and Mormon compositions. Do you have any of those to offer...I suspect not.

you suspect wrong....basic link was provided http://www.mormonmusic.org/
and here is another
http://music.lib.BYU.edu/LDSMusicians/b ... right.html
an another
http://music.lib.BYU.edu/LDSMusicians/b ... rings.html
and i imagine you have access to google...

[_subgenius]

but to be fair, let us consider "Mormon music" in general

http://www.mormonmusic.org/

I don't know if you have heard of this group, The Lower Lights. I love their style - it is simple and pure. It makes me think of the pioneers and how often they would been limited to the types of instruments available to play while they sang. I bought their CD and find that I need a "fix" every week or so. Give the site time to completely load before you click on the play arrow.

http://thelowerlights.bandcamp.com/trac ... -of-israel

Love,

jo

one of my favorite hymns that we sing for priesthood opening exercises...
having been born and raised in southern Appalachia that was a real treat, thank you.

[_subgenius]

No where in the Bible does does it say anyone held Melchizedek Priesthood other than Jesus and Melchizedek who was the preincarnate Jesus, no one

Hebews 7

(b) Melchizedek placed a blessing upon mighty Abraham,
and as everyone knows, a person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person he blesses.
(c) The Jewish priests, though mortal, received tithes; but we are told that Melchizedek lives on.
(d) One might even say that Levi himself (the ancestor of all Jewish priests, of all who receive tithes), paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham.
For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham when Abraham paid the tithes to Melchizedek.
(e) If the Jewish priests and their laws had been able to save us, why then did God need to send Christ as a priest with the rank of Melchizedek, instead of sending someone with the rank of Aaron—the same rank all other priests had?
And when God sends a new kind of priest, his law must be changed to permit it. As we all know, Christ did not belong to the priest-tribe of Levi, but came from the tribe of Judah, which had not been chosen for priesthood; Moses had never given them that work.
So we can plainly see that God’s method changed, for Christ, the new High Priest who came with the rank of Melchizedek,
did not become a priest by meeting the old requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but on the basis of power flowing from a life that cannot end.
And the psalmist points this out when he says of Christ, “You are a priest forever with the rank of Melchizedek.”
Yes, the old system of priesthood based on family lines was canceled because it didn’t work. It was weak and useless for saving people.
It never made anyone really right with God. But now we have a far better hope, for Christ makes us acceptable to God, and now we may draw near to him.
God took an oath that Christ would always be a Priest,
although he never said that of other priests. Only to Christ he said, “The Lord has sworn and will never change his mind: You are a Priest forever, with the rank of Melchizedek.”
Because of God’s oath, Christ can guarantee forever the success of this new and better arrangement.
Under the old arrangement there had to be many priests so that when the older ones died off, the system could still be carried on by others who took their places.
But Jesus lives forever and continues to be a Priest so that no one else is needed.
He is able to save completely all who come to God through him. Since he will live forever, he will always be there to remind God that he has paid for their sins with his blood.
He is, therefore, exactly the kind of High Priest we need; for he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin, undefiled by sinners, and to him has been given the place of honor in heaven.
He never needs the daily blood of animal sacrifices, as other priests did, to cover over first their own sins and then the sins of the people; for he finished all sacrifices, once and for all, when he sacrificed himself on the cross.
Under the old system, even the high priests were weak and sinful men who could not keep from doing wrong, but later God appointed by his oath his Son who is perfect forever.

i realize you are excited...but this thread is about music...remember?

[_Albion]

Well, subgenious, I guess my suspicions remain since you did not give an example from a regular Mormon meeting. That said, the first three links provided a long list of Mormon composers and it would be foolish to have charged that there were none. The second link worked and we were given of version of an oft sung Mormon song Ye Elders of Israel. Not bad for its genre but a little slow and plodding. Who exactly is being worshiped in the lyric. As I have agreed, it does all come down to opinion.

[_Mittens]

None Mormon pure Worship

http://youtu.be/mKo_vqkayu0

http://youtu.be/5mi81MEKykQ

http://youtu.be/JSx0OqT0L3E