New RS Music Chorister Needs HELP

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Quote:

I have just been called as chorister in Relief society after being in Primary for a total of 25 years. Can you help me with some ideas for music appreciation that would be a change and get the sisters excited to participate

With many thanks for your time , Judy

I have just recently found out about your site and I love it already!!

[Jenny SmithParticipant]

Thanks for the compliment, Judy — next time, please post questions for help (like this one) in the forum so that others may offer help and suggestions, too.

Have you seen the Church’s music website?

http://lds.org/churchmusic/

It’s VERY cool and might give you some ideas (especially the section on Learning Resources). The other thing I can think of is the Music section in Teaching, No Greater Call. It is geared towards teaching children, but I think that it has some good ideas and suggestions:

Teaching No Greater Call

I really like to practice parts in Relief Society. I’m a terrible singer, but I really like to sing alto. You could also teach some basic music reading skills, too, for those sisters who don’t have a musical background. Explaining the theme of the music, reading out the scripture references (at the bottom), and even explaning some of the bigger words can help.

For Relief Society, you could combine the music time with a spotlight. Make a little card asking for some information about each sister (including her favorite song, of course, and why it’s her favorite). Then for music time spotlight that sister and sing her favorite song.

The website has a good help section that says:

Quote:

Make a plan. Ask yourself:

a. How can I capture the children’s attention? (Perhaps with an object, a picture, a scripture, an experience, or simply a whisper.)

b. What questions can I ask that will encourage the children to listen to the song? (Ask questions that help the children understand the gospel message—for example, What? Where? Who? When? Why?—and state the questions in such a way that children can discover the answer as you sing the song.)

c. How can I encourage the children to sing the song? (Invite the children to sing the phrases that answer the questions. Vary the tempo and the volume to add meaning. Ask the children to listen to their singing without accompaniment. Expect the children to sit tall and to watch you carefully.)

d. What testimony can I leave with the children that will strengthen them? (Bear your personal testimony, or read testimonies recorded in the scriptures.)

Good luck with your new calling, Judy! I’m sure that you’ll do well, since it’s clear that you’re doing your very best to magnify it!

Jenny

[Anonymous UserParticipant]

This is a rather late reply but I have just found this website.

One thing that happens in our ward is that sisters are asked to choose a favourite hymn and explain why it is. Then we either all sing it, of have a musical presentation or favourite CD version.

The hymns chosen have been wide and varied and have certainly made some of the hymns more meaningful to me knowing the personal stories of some of the sisters and the effect the hymn has had on their life.

Just out of interest my favourite (one of many) was ‘ I Stand all Amazed’ – simply because I do!

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