Friday, June 23, 2006
Teaching Hymnology 4
Bethany Meyer, assistant to Dr. Bert Polman, is writing daily reports from Polman’s Teaching Hymnology seminar, which is hosted by Calvin Seminars in Christian Scholarship.
This morning𠏋 devotions centered on the topic of teaching as our vocation, to present the Gospel to our children, particularly through our worship. Following devotions, the group began in a computer lab in the Fine Arts Center. One of the seminar participants, David Music, led the group in a discussion and exploration of online resources for hymnody. We explored Calvin𠏋 Hekman Library databases, as well as a resource in Baylor University𠏋 library, and an online hymn tune index open to general public use. Prof. Music walked the group through several examples on finding information on specific topics, and he gave some example problems to answer using one of the several databases. It was an interesting learning experience, and it was very beneficial to discover new ways to prepare for teaching hymnology (or any subject).
After lunch and break, the group shifted gears and Dr. Polman led them in examining several different hymns from the grey Psalter Hymnal and Sing! A New Creation. One issue addressed this afternoon was how to deal with the original version of Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee versus the way that many congregations are used to singing it. Another problem was the disagreement over cadences in some hymns and how some musicians treat a slight pause as a fermata. Dr. Polman had some thought-provoking comments and questions as well. He asked, 㜁hat can average, singing children of God do, and how can we help them?� We are teachers to help others learn, and to express our faith to future generations. Most people in congregations can㦙 fully understand music and its dimensions and meanings. Yet we are called to demonstrate and to teach through our knowledge of music. Dr. Polman also commented that people shouldn㦙 simply sing the words on the page; as musicians, we can help make hymns real to people, and we can help them take the text and music to heart. The final topic for today was on hymn tune titles and why we have them. It was also stressed that people learning music today need to learn tune titles more. We name tunes because they are creations, and are therefore worthy of a title. Conversation today was very fruitful and insightful.