Music In Relief Society

How important is your practice hymn time in Relief Society?  Are you learning any new hymns?  Are you learning the histories of these hymns and their composers?  How about a spiritual thought from the references attached to each hymn?  What about having musical numbers?  Are you hearing enough from all the talented sisters in your Relief Society; even bringing in those women serving in the Young Women and Primary occasionally.  Those younger people they serve might be invited for a special number even.  How about organizing a Singing Mothers group and using Relief Society’s practice time as a practice time.  Or even creating an Instant Choir each time you practice together (that merely means the director leads the group as a choir, not a congregation-this requires just a little more prep work from the director, and better attention from the sisters).   Are the pianist and music leader callings taken seriously, or does the presidency constantly fill in at the last minute?  I think we all recognize that music is important and we miss it when it’s not there.

Additional note:

The 2010 Handbook has left out practice hymn singing in Relief Society. But please don’t let that stop the music from being in your meetings!

Read everything on www.lds.org, under Relief Society, with the idea of bringing music to the meeting. The Spirit will give you ideas of what you can do, as you read.  We all know the fastest way to bring the spirit is through music. As a presidency, be sensitive to the best ways to bring music into your meetings. As a music director, don’t just wave your arm to the music, do all in your power, through suggestion and willingness, to bring the spirit through music.  As a teacher, bring music into your lesson.

Think outside the box. Offer to teach a six week (or whatever) course on music skills, or music appreciation. Start a Singing Sisters choir and sing for Relief Society, Sacrament Meeting, or ward parties. Have musical numbers to set the mood for lessons.

Whatever your ward chooses to do, just don’t stop the music!!!