Dec 5
Music As An Inspiration
by Billy Orton

Among the most questions I receive about the Living Christmas Tree are those which express appreciation and a sense of wonder about what is sung by the choir. Where do we find such beautiful music? Are the songs difficult for the choir to learn? What is their favorite selection? What is MY favorite?

The care and feeding of a large group of singers with such diverse abilities over the course of September-October-November-December is an interesting task indeed. What is best for the choir’s musical growth and development? What will feed their souls? What needs to be learned, and when, in order for the crowds who attend the LCT to receive the Christmas message most effectively? How do we pace the vocal and other physical demands of the presentation?

Many of the answers come back to the inspiration of the music. One selection we plan to do this year is a new musical setting of a Christmas poem that was unfamiliar to me. “Calm, On the Listening Ear of Night” was penned by Edmund H. Sears (1810-1876), who also wrote the text to the beloved carol, “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.” The music is by contemporary composer Rene Clausen, professor at Concordia College. He has set the text for choir, harp and solo violin. The choral music challenges us to balance and tune very complex harmonies that are divided not just into four parts (SATB) but often into eight and even ten parts. As I write this devotion, I am also still pondering how best to help the choir members memorize it!

I find the song to be inspired and inspiring. It certainly has captured our imagination:

“ Calm, on the listening ear of night come heavn’s melodious strains,
where wild Judea stretches far her silver mantled plains.”

We are drawn to calmness and reflection during what has become a frantic time of year for so many people.

“Celestial choirs from courts above shed sacred glories there…..”

Can our choir, like the angels, be celestial? Will we be sacred? The composer provides music at this point which is truly brilliant.

“Light on thy hills, Jerusalem! The Prince of Peace is born!
And bright on Bethlehem’s joyous plains breaks the first Christmas morn.”

Can we maintain focus throughout months of preparation and multiple performances in late December? How do we not lose a sense of wonder about that “first Christmas morn”?

This year’s choir is undoubtedly one of our finest sounding groups in the 25-year history of the Tree. We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before. The incredible accompaniment provided by orchestra, organ and piano joins with the visual appeal of interpretive movement and the wizardry of lighting effects to augment the message sung by our own “celestial choir.” Our combined prayer is that we perform with clarity, precision, and passion in giving “glory to God!”

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
Psalms 34:3