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John Huss’ story ended on a high note, literally. He was burned alive for refusing to recant his theologies. Yet while the flames consumed him on the stakes, no cry of pain was sounded. Instead, a voice of singing was heard. Many years later, Martin Luther reflected on Huss’ martyrdom and wrote, “I was overwhelmed with astonishment.…

I’m one of those guilty people who used to sing mindlessly in church. In fact, most times, I would lip sync my way through the motion. Especially if the song is one of those plain, old boring (too many stanzas) hymn that’s been sung too many times. “There is a Fountain” written by William Cowper…

Have you ever had to audition for a choir? If you did, you know how nerve-wracking it can be, especially if the choir has certain professional standards. One of the most important tips in auditioning is to know what kind of choir you’re auditioning for. What is the group’s mission? What type of arrangements do…

Music is often a reflection of what happens in the society. Many a man’s ideals, beliefs and philosophies are mirrored by music through its tune, rhythm, harmony, lyrics and form. When the Protestant Reformation era came about, the kind of music that emerged to reflect it came in the form of hymns, and a participatory…

RILEY. KINGSFOLD. ORA LABORA. OASIS. CWM RHONDDA. VILLE DU HARVE. CANONBURY. DRONFIELD. TRURO. WELLESLEY. MARTYRDOM. Ok, before you think I’m babbling some kind of nonsense, let me tell you that the words above do have something in common, as irrelevant and different as they seem. That is they are names of hymn tunes. And in…

The general idea when it comes to hymns is that there is a close bond between the author and the composer. That the author writes a hymn and the composer invents a tune to suit it, and then provides the harmony to accompany the tune. However, such wasn’t always the case. Many hymns actually worked…