Posts Tagged ‘Black Church’

BCMMP Recommends… Four Books You Must Have in Your Library!

Friday, August 21st, 2009

Books on the relationship between music and worship are published annually. Authors such as Robert E. Webber, John M. Frame and Paul Westermeyer are considered leaders of a pack of scholars, clergy and musicians who actively engage in research, teaching and writing on the intersections of music, theology and worship. Yet, these authors and most of their peers rarely include the African American experience or the worship experience of the Black Church within their prose. The music and worship of the Black Church has a rich heritage and is the product of a resilient legacy built on hope, faith and survival. The African American worship experience with all of its diversity and variety needs to be researched, taught and written about!

The four resources mentioned below are models of intellectual treatment of the music and worship experience that we know and love, authored by scholars, clergy and musicians who are fully invested in making sure we not only “know the God we sing about,” but that we better understand how God has blessed us with a powerful sacred music tradition birthed on the continent of Africa and nurtured on the soil of the United States. These books are not only “must haves” in the libraries of pastors, ministers, music ministry leaders, musicians and laypersons but for anyone interested in studying the power of music and worship from a Black perspective.

“Somebody’s Calling My Name:” Black Sacred Music and Social Change by Wyatt Tee Walker. (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1979)

Written by one of the most distinguished civil rights and human rights activists (former Executive Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Chief of Staff) and pastor emeritus of the historic Canaan Baptist Church (Harlem, NY), this text offers one of the first studies of Black Sacred Music from a socio-historical perspective by a scholar from within the fold. From this first of fourteen books, Dr. Walker offers readers poignant quotes such as “… if you listen to what Black people are singing religiously, it will provide a clue as to what is happening to them sociologically,” and “The Black Church is the American fruit of an African root.” Inclusive of musical and lyrical examples from various periods as well as the now classic pictorial “Music Tree,” Dr. Walker’s treatment of the Black Sacred Music Tradition remains as timely and provocative as it did when it was first published 30 years ago.

The Ministry of Music in the Black Church by J. Wendell Mapson, Jr. (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1984)

Composed by a veteran musician and dynamic pastor (Monumental Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA), this book offers an important treatise on the role and function of music ministry within the Black Church. With dedicated chapters focused on “The Pastor,” “The Church Musician” and “The Choir,” Dr. Mapson wrestles with longstanding problems faced by numerous congregations of all sizes and denominations in clear, concise and effective prose. Taking a note from Dr. Walker, Dr. Mapson undergirds his study with a clear understanding of the Africa - African American Cultural Continuum and the unique cultural context of the Black experience in the United States. In addition to offering a wealth of experience and expertise as both a musician and pastor through the well scripted text, Dr. Mapson’s very applicable strategies and suggestions for effective music ministry remain current and fundamental to success in ministry.

Let Mt. Zion Rejoice! Music in the African American Church by James Abbington. (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2001)

This text is required reading by anyone interested in music ministry. Written by the widely regarded musician, educator and worship leader extraordinaire known for his riveting lectures and dynamic presentations on Music of the African American Church, Dr. Abbington takes the sociological work of Dr. Walker and the foundational study by Dr. Mapson to the next level. From critically analyzing the “Current State of Music in the African American Church,” to offering thought-provoking chapters on “Essentials for Church Musicians” and “The Relationship between Pastors and Musicians,” this text breaks the silence on some of the major issues, challenges and problems facing many houses of faith across the country. Chapters on “Planning Worship” and “The African American Christian Year” give insight into methods and approaches to dynamic worship, while other chapters reclaim the use of spirituals, hymnody and anthems within 21st century worship.

In Spirit and In Truth: The Music of African American Worship by Melva Wilson Costen. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004)

Written by a skilled musician and esteemed scholar, Dr. Melva Wilson Costen, this comprehensive treatment of the music of African American Worship stands as the leading resource on the subject. Grounded in the African to African American cultural continuum and groomed with musical, liturgical, theological and biblical analysis, Dr. Costen clearly challenges the church to worship both “in spirit and in truth,” by aiding us to understand the roots and diversity of our worship using music as a fulcrum. This is a well-researched and extremely well-written volume that will encourage new found passion for the power of music within African American Worship. Chapters such as “Music as a Liturgical Element in African American Worship” and “Music Ministry in Theological Perspective” are essential reading for any pastor, minister, seminarian, music ministry leader and/ or musician interested in actively appreciating the rich heritage and legacy of African American Worship.

Be sure to subscribe to BCMMP on YouTube and BCMMP on Facebook for important resources and updates!

Emmett G. Price III, Ph.D. is president and founder of the Black Church Music Ministry Project. BCMMP aims to “serve, nurture and develop spiritual leaders within music ministry.” For additional information please visit http://www.BCMMP.org or contact us via email at info@BCMMP.org.

© Black Church Music Ministry Project, Inc. all rights reserved

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Posted in Black Church, Black Church music ministry, Innovative Ministry, church music, church musicians, leadership in music ministry, music ministry, music ministry resources, praise & worship | No Comments »

BCMMP Remembers Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer (1935-2009)

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer (1935-2009)

BCMMP mourns the loss of friend and mentor, Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer. Dr. Boyer was a consummate performer, esteemed scholar and exemplary educator. He was one of this nation’s leading scholars on Gospel Music and in many ways aided in creating the wave of interest that the field has seen in the past thirty years. Dr. Boyer was a kind hearted, compassionate and genteel soul who used music to aid in presenting the gospel to people around the world. He was a champion and tremendous exemplar on how to effectively use music as a tool to spread love, peace and joy.

Read more about Dr. Boyer here.

As one of the first (if not the first) African Americans to receive a Ph.D. in music theory, Dr. Boyer was well known for his expertise in analyzing spirituals, hymns and gospel songs (as well as other genres of music including concert music). Analysis, however was not his claim to fame, Dr. Boyer was an internationally renown chorale clinician and very best at presenting lecture-demonstrations of religious music. He will be forever known around the world for his exceptional grasp of the intellectual, emotional, theological, cultural, socio-political and performance aspects of the music he loved so much. The audience at the 2006 joint conference of the Center for Black Music Research (CBMR) and the Society for American Music (SAM) was simply mesmerized by Dr. Boyer’s analysis and performance of “How I Got Over (Herbert Brewster) and “I’ll Fly Away (Albert E. Brumley).” Not only was there not a dry eye in Grand Ballroom A of Chicago’s Westin Hotel, but the spirit of God moved in ways previously unseen at an academic conference. That performance could only be topped by the performance later in the conference by Dr. Boyer and his brother/ musical partner from childhood, Dr. James Boyer as they performed some of the great spirituals and hymns of all time while playing musical chairs. One would start out on piano while both sang, then they would switch positions with fluid execution with the full richness of the great heritage and legacy of the Black Church. Dr. Boyer will be sorely missed.

Many scholars around the country and the world are grateful and indebted to Dr. Boyer. Scholars, pastors, musicians, and lay people alike, benefited from his kind, giving spirit as well as his consistent encouragement and nurturing. We thank God for the gift and blessing of Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer and continue to pray for Mrs. Gloria Boyer and the entire Boyer Family.

Be sure to subscribe to BCMMP on YouTube and BCMMP on Facebook for important resources and updates!

Emmett G. Price III, Ph.D. is president and founder of the Black Church Music Ministry Project.  BCMMP aims to “serve, nurture and develop spiritual leaders within music ministry.”  For additional information please visit http://www.BCMMP.org or contact us via email at info@BCMMP.org.

© Black Church Music Ministry Project, Inc. all rights reserved

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BCMMP Tuesday Musings: Musicians Are Everywhere!

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

Musicians Are Everywhere!

In a previous post, Oh Where, Oh Where Have the Musicians Gone?, we offered a glimpse at a growing issue within the Black Church.  All across the country various houses of faith are lamenting, searching or assessing their present music ministry situation.  Some have folks that they would love to invite to leave, many have folks who they wish would simply “fit in,” while most are seeking to recruit and hire musicians to fill current and in some cases, long-standing vacancies.  The rumblings of rumors of a musician shortage continue to echo from coast-to-coast as many wonder is there a shortage of musicians in Zion?

Clearly, there is no shortage of musicians!  Amongst the many genres of music composed, arranged, performed and recorded within the United States, the cadre of musicians continues to grow daily.  Every spring, hundreds if not thousands of collegiate students matriculate from institutions of higher learning with exceptional musical training looking for opportunities to utilize their God-given gifts and well-developed skills.  Numerous others who have been groomed by non-traditional or non-formal situations continue to flood the streets seeking to find places where their gifts, talents and skills might be utilized and appreciated.  In fact, musicians are everywhere, except perhaps, the church.

Every city, suburb and rural area has local stories and nostalgic folklore of the great musicians who came from the area.  Many of these great musicians ironically were trained in the church.  Yet, the days of the Black Church as the major grooming field or training ground for musicians has greatly diminished over the years.  The days of taking a risk on subsidizing musical lessons for young people who show a spark of talent, or giving the middle aged person who desires to return to their instrument after twenty years a chance are gone.  In many situations the Black Church has lost its sense of nurturing and the responsibility of growing its own musicians.  The effects of this demise are noticeable in all areas of the country.  Although there are always exceptions to the rule, many churches now resort and rely on recorded music in order to overcome the perceived shortage of musicians.  It is clear that churches (of all sizes) that are able to overcome the perceived shortage of musicians have benefited from strategic and intentional intervention and/ or visionary prioritization of their music ministries.  According to our research, here are a few reasons that former church musicians say they left the church:

- Former church musicians felt they were never groomed or nurtured to grow musically.  Most musicians are hired because they can “do what they do,” and for most that is good enough.  Creative artists are always
seeking to go to the next level, to push the boundaries of exploration, to go beyond what was.  Most churches, in the words of the musicians, simply wanted them to “do what they did” on the day they were hired… “no more, no less.”

- Former church musicians felt that they were “the work horse” of the church and received more demands and critique than they did gratitude and compensation.  In fact, many continue to articulate that “it is easier to make a living as a musician outside of the church than it is as a church musician.”

- Former church musicians felt that they were overlooked when it came to being shepherded and they were not being trained or taught in terms of spiritual development.  Most articulated that pastors would call “with demands but rarely with prayer.”  Some went on to say that although prayer service and bible study were interesting, it was made clear to them by officers of the church that “they were there to play and not to participate.”

- Former church musicians felt that churches made it clear that they were hired because God gifted them with the talent and skills to lead the music ministry, yet the musicians never had the chance to actually
have the opportunity “to lead.”  In addition to “decision by committee” situations and “four signatory approvals before implementation” policies, many musicians felt they were never given the space nor offered the opportunity to explore their talents and skills within the context of ministry.  They were simply “burdened by assignments,” with no room to explore “new directions and new approaches to pronouncing the unchanging message through music.”

- Former church musicians felt that their passion for musical expression and their passion for God were continually stymied by the musical tastes and/ or lack of tastes by congregations who were unable to
follow their leadership in regards to music. Simply put, “we’re tired of non-musicians telling us how to play music!”

Be sure to subscribe to BCMMP on YouTube and BCMMP on Facebook for important resources and updates!

Emmett G. Price III, Ph.D. is president and founder of the Black Church Music Ministry Project.  BCMMP aims to “serve, nurture and develop spiritual leaders within music ministry.”  For additional information please visit http://www.BCMMP.org or contact us via email at info@BCMMP.org.

© Black Church Music Ministry Project, Inc. all rights reserved

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Posted in Black Church, Black Church music ministry, Innovative Ministry, church music, church musicians, leadership in music ministry, music ministry | No Comments »