Music survey results
Ad Hoc MUSIC AND WORSHIP COMMITTEE
REPORT TO ST. ANDREW’S UNITED CHURCH COUNCIL
Feb. 23, 2010
The committee was formed by Council on Sept. 19, 2009 with a mandate “to explore congregational needs in respect to worship, music and musical leadership at St. Andrew’s United Church.”
The Chair of the committee was Elizabeth Mowat. The membership
of the committee was: Betsy Baldwin, Katherine Corlett, Charles Hayter, Hege Lepri.
As a first step, the committee met with Rev. Mark MacLean, Michael Kennedy (Choir Librarian), and the following academics and friends of St. Andrew’s who teach at Emmanuel College: Dr. Tom Reynolds (Associate Professor of Theology), Dr. Fred Graham (Assistant Professor of Church Music) and Rev. Dr. Bill Kervin (Associate Professor of Public Worship), to obtain their insights into the role of worship on music and the issues facing St. Andrew’s.
In order to seek input from the congregation, an open event was held on Sunday, Jan. 17 titled “A Conversation with Fred Graham and Tom Reynolds.” This event was attended by about 40 members and adherents, and allowed those present to hear a discussion about the role of music in congregational life. Time for questions and discussion followed.
Based on input from all these conversations and discussions, the following key themes were identified:
- the role of music in worship,
- the involvement / participation of the congregation in worship music,
- music as outreach,
- musical style,
- coordination and planning
- the stewardship of church resources.
The Committee then prepared a survey of 25 questions based on these key themes. The survey was distributed via e-mail and post to 120 people on the active congregational list of members and regular attendees. The survey was distributed between January 29 and February 8. There was a 71% return of responses (85 people).
The Committee encourages Council to read the attached survey results in detail, as they provide much useful information on the congregation’s opinion, and will be helpful in planning the music program over the next few years.
The Committee then created a Mission Statement for Music Ministry based on the results of this survey.
In the comments written in the survey, many individuals raised the issue of finances. Our Committee’s mandate was to explore congregational needs, We feel it is Council’s role to apportion resources within the church budget based on congregational needs.
Recommendations
1. That Council adopt the attached Mission Statement for Music Ministry
2. That the Worship Committee begin the process of purchasing a new organ
3. That the Ministry and Personnel Committee create a job description for a Music Coordinator consistent with the Mission Statement for Music Ministry
4. That a Search Committee be formed to hire a Music Coordinator
5. That a long range plan for music be developed and implemented, including a budget
Mission Statement for Music
At St. Andrew’s the ministry of both the word and music are important to our congregation.
The mission of the music program at St. Andrew’s is to maintain a high quality program that inspires worship, attracts new members, and involves the congregation by:
1. Contributing to the effectiveness of worship by being relevant and thematically integrated with the other elements of the service
2. Acknowledging and supporting the diverse musical traditions of the
people in the pews
3. Teaching and challenging us to grow
4. Inviting active participation in all musical activities
5. Reaching out to and supporting the music community
6. Being open and responsive to congregational needs.