The music team at Trinity might be having too much fun. Though it might not be possible to have too much fun in church music, I think we’re getting there. Grace and I have had a great time crafting the music for Holy Week and Easter, and though that might be a weird thing to say, it is true. These services, from a macro sense, are celebrations of life and humanity, and the music we choose serves that celebration directly.
It comes as no surprise to anyone that I have a particular sound ideal for Trinity. I want Trinity to sound like the human experience, and to use music from many different genres and time periods to truly illustrate the complex beauty of life. This drive and deep connection to music constantly asks me to stretch the bounds of what is considered “traditional church music” and find music that speaks to us in a contemporary sense. Some might think that that means we only sing contemporary Christian music, or that we never hear classic or classical pieces in our service. And that is far from the case. We need all of it.
Modern art music exists all around us. Much of the most beautiful, lush contemporary instrumental/orchestral music does not necessarily exist just in the concert hall, but in some of the modern entertainment we find ourselves engrossed in: video games and movie scores. These contemporary original works are far underutilized and underrated, and used well, could truly enhance our experiences in our sacred spaces.
Church should sound like a soundtrack. I think there are ways to incorporate modern sounds onto our sacred spaces, utilizing wonderful full orchestral instruments, and old favorites like the organ, and choral music. The old and the new coming together to create music that speaks to our humanity.
Good Friday we will mix together both contemporary and classic works, like Samuel Barber’s “The Crucifixion,” “Party of One” by Brandi Carlile (f. Sam Smith) and traditional “Go to Dark Gethsemane.”
This Easter, you’ll hear an arrangement of “Fanfare for the Common Man” by American Composer Aaron Copland for horn, trumpet, organ, bass drum, gong and timpani; a week’s old arrangement of “Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” a groovy arrangement of the traditional “Over My Head” by The Podd Brothers and an arrangement of Andrae Crouch’s “Let the Church Say Amen.” And many other fun things.
Forever looking for the answer to how to make church richly joyful.
See you this weekend!
Chelsie Cree
Director of Music and the Arts