Favourite hymns

[LilBit]

I led congregational singing for years. Although I have no idea about your director, I'm sure the script notes may have stated pensive or meditative. Many people don't seem to have good awareness of tempo when it drags. If you're good, you'll immediately sense it's too slow.

In church settings, often there is an unspoken sense that something needs to be slow of reverence, when a faster tempo really wouldn't seem rushed at all. I often had to pull my organist or piano up to tempo to keep the congregation awake. Mopey singing is fine for doleful characters in cartoons, not so much for actual people.

It wasn't actually that slow; it just felt dirge-like because the actress wasn't a great singer and because I grew incredibly weary of the song by the end of two and a half months.

 

[eddielee]

I used to sing solo in church. Blessed Assurance as an old favorite of mine.

 

[Thad1527]

My mother's favorite:

 

[Thad1527]

This is another favorite of ours. Yes, it's the definition of "old-fashioned." And beautiful.

 

[Thad1527]

And MY favorite? Oh, it's the time of year! Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and this song is a MUST.

 

[piano1]

I'd say the "Old Rugged Cross" or my Mom's favorite is "This is my Father's World". I was a pianist for several years and loved playing the old hymns of faith. I have a "rolodex" in my mine for some hymns and words. I always check the timing of the piece and count in my head....starting with an intro to the hymn to get the right speed for the congregation.