I have a nasty habit of quitting my job.

Right in the middle of a hymn, no less. There we all are, crescendo-ing into the good part of the hymn, feeling the Spirit and belting out the melody, and wham! Sister Sara cuts the organ and sends you careening off an a cappella cliff like Wile E. Coyote.

Although Chuck Haynes might appreciate the brief reprieve (hehe), the musically timid among us are downright scandalized! The organ abandoned our naked voices to the silent abyss! What happened? Why’d ya do it, Sister??

Oh, for so many reasons, my dear.

But the primary one is this:

When a man sings, beautiful though it may be, he can only sing one pitch at a time, one melody, like a voice crying in the wilderness. Singing solo is a rather lonely affair.

But where two or three are gathered, they can produce a harmony, each of them singing different pitches together, blending their voices into a mellifluous musical texture. Creating harmony is a corporate act. And the singers must not only be together, but, in a manner of speaking, they have to commune with one another (for, as you know, singing wildly different tunes simultaneously can be an unpleasant experience indeed). Rather, the singers must unite as a single body, its members operating in tandem toward a common goal. When they commune, the disparate rhythms and varied pitches weave together into a mysteriously consonant sound.

Many voices, but one song; distinct parts, yet united…

Very like the Trinity. Very like the Body of Christ.

Although not everyone knows how to sing in parts (and let’s be honest, with some of our modal German hymns, just scraping by on the melody deserves an award), there is a surprising number of people who still do. Sit next to Christa Kettler or Rush Agent, and you’ll hear what I’m talking about.

But the competing timbres and volume of the organ easily drown out most parts (save the melody or a high descant), and we don’t usually hear our neighbor singing alto or tenor… and bass is just out of the question. 

But on the occasion that the organist, capricious and crafty, up and quits her job… right in the middle of a hymn, no less…

Those tones suddenly become audible. There, upon the silent air, the beautiful, breathing voices of God’s people blend together in “hymn and chant and high thanksgiving.” The melody is carried by most, some of the women sound out the alto, and a few intrepid men g ground the congregation with the low tones of tenor and bass. And there we are, chorally communing as one Body of Christ.

Singing parts isn’t easy, but I would recommend giving it a try if you haven’t before (see here for tips!). And for those who do not opt for parts, sing the melody with gusto! Harmonies only work when the melody is strong.

And the next time the organ drops out, listen to the voices around you; listen to them, and join with them, and take joy in the gift that God has given us, that we might sing together as many members of one Body.

Photo credit: Siberian Evangelical Lutheran Church