Music
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:19-20
What kind of things do we sing?
We have a great God who is worthy of the highest and most excellent praise. At HRPC we seek to glorify Him in our song worship using a blend of the best of the traditional hymns accompanied by organ and orchestral instruments, as well as selected contemporary hymns and songs accompanied by smaller bands. We believe that diversity within the service reflects the makeup of our congregation, and provides everyone with an entry point to meaningful heart worship in the corporate setting.
Psalms, hymns & spiritual songs are often chosen to reflect a theme or verse from the passage of scripture being preached from, the idea being that, through the Word spoken and sung, our hearts might be softened to hear God speak to us.
We do not use any one particular hymnal, preferring to draw on a wide range of materials, both printed and online. Lyrics of all songs are projected on screens, and our two most recent songbooks are available in the seats, should you wish to use them where appropriate. If you are visually impaired and would like to have the powerpoint slides in large print, we can arrange to have this at the welcome desk for you to collect on arrival – please contact Sandra in the church office for details.
What opportunities are there for serving in the music ministry at HRPC?
INSTRUMENTAL
Church orchestra is for anyone who plays an orchestral instrument – at present we have an orchestra of around 30. Orchestra is the ideal starting point for playing your instrument in church. There is no age restriction, young or old, but Grade 3 in your instrument is desirable in order to read the music. Rehearsals are usually on Sunday afternoons a week in advance, and then before the service at which orchestra leads the praise. Sometimes a smaller orchestra is selected from this larger group, usually to play at a morning service, rehearsing beforehand.
HRPC Brass helps to make our Guest Carol Service very special, playing traditional carols along with the organ. The brass group also plays at several points throughout the year, using exciting contemporary arrangements for modern songs as well as settings of traditional hymns. A big brassy sound!
Instrumental bands operate on a rotational basis and help lead the praise at most services. Two groups feature flute, clarinet or oboe, violin and trumpet with rhythm. A new group for this term is a string quartet. There is also a rhythm band which plays at occasional evening services, adding a clean, contemporary feel to the music.
The instrumental bands are selected by the musical director.
VOCAL
Choirs of various types, including a Men's Choir, are brought together at several points throughout the year, usually for the main Christian festivals such as Christmas and Easter. The shape and size of choirs varies according to the occasion and the music ranges from the classical to the contemporary. Rehearsals are arranged 4-6 weeks before the service at which the choir will be singing. The ability to read music is helpful, though not essential.
Singing Groups tend to be comprised of mainly younger people, drawing from contemporary Christian material, backed by the rhythm band. Rehearsals are usually on Sunday afternoons for a couple of weeks before the service at which the group lead the praise.
If you would like to sing in a choir or a singing group please contact/speak to the Music Director who will meet with you to arrange a simple voice test.
Vocal groups lead the singing at most services and these operate on a rotational basis. There is also an SATB octet. These groups are selected by the Music Director.
If you would like to be involved with any of the groups above, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please email me at kgordon@hrpc.org.uk or for church members, my number is in the yearbook.
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