What's so Ordinary?

Dear Bethesda Family,

“Ordinary” in this case refers to the texts in our liturgy that don’t change from week to week. At the 8:00 service, we say the Gloria, the Sanctus, and the Fraction Anthem, using the same text each week. At 9:00 and 11:00, we sing them and mark each new season by rotating to a different composer’s setting.

Composing for congregational singing brings great challenges and enormous rewards. The vocal range and technique need to invite trained and untrained voices alike to engage with the text. It must be simple enough to learn quickly, yet interesting enough to warrant repeating regularly. Non-metrical texts, such as the Ordinary, add to the challenge because musical phrases can’t be repeated if the syllables aren’t the same from line to line. The best settings last for generations, or at least as long as the hymnal. Only two settings from The Hymnal 1940 made it to the 1982 edition (both are Rite 1, since that’s all they had), and we sing the Rite 2 Powell and Mathias settings regularly at Bethesda. How many others have held up for so long?

Aware of the need to replenish the supply, I had planned to compose a new setting for our rotation in my second year at Bethesda. I wanted something that works with our voices, our building, our majestic organ: something that was ours. The pandemic prevented congregational singing and accompanying long enough that I delayed the work. Now, in my fifth year, I am thrilled to introduce The Bethesda Service this season of Epiphany. I chose this season because it includes Bethesda Sunday.

The Bethesda Choir recorded the new music informally this week. Jeffrey Beebe skillfully edited a video, shot by Bill Metzger, to incorporate my scrolling sheet music for those who read musical notation. Take a listen to the video so that the new music feels a little familiar when we first sing it together this coming Sunday. Your participation will help our many visitors feel comfortable.

As you listen, and as you sing, think afresh about the meaning of the words that are so well-known to us. My favorite vocal and choral music links the notes and the text inextricably, so I chose to include plenty of word painting here (note the energy on the word “glory,” the low note on “sin,” and the build-up to “the Most High, Jesus Christ”). There are recurring melodies to offer unity between sections and movements, which also shortens the learning curve.

I can’t wait to hear you sing it! But, be patient if it takes a few tries to get it under your belt. Take a listen here.

Stuart.