IN REVIEW

Classic Hymns for Orchestra: The Symphonic Music of Kenneth Downie

REVIEW BY ANDREW WAINWRIGHT

Among many Salvationists, the name Kenneth Downie is synonymous with brass and choral music. However, Downie has recently explored uncharted territory, arranging an entire album of music for symphony orchestra. Classic Hymns for Orchestra: The Symphonic Music of Kenneth Downie features 15 much-loved tunes that have been given imaginative and highly creative treatments.

Ranging from soothing and majestic to bold and sprightly, each hymn has been mixed using state-of-the-art sample libraries from musicians such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the renowned Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and the iconic sounds of the Royal Albert Hall organ. The album features Tom Hutchinson, principal cornet of Cory Band, the world’s number one ranked brass band, and Susanne Dymott, a professional mezzo-soprano and former member of the International Staff Songsters. Their innate sense of phrasing and musicality shines through in Come Home! and To Walk With God respectively, which are beautifully complemented by solo strings and piano.

The album offers much variety, from the brassy fanfare of Now Thank We All Our God through to the more contemplative Lathbury, Sweet Hour of Prayer and He Hideth My Soul. There are also foot-tapping numbers such as Count Your Blessings and Ring the Bells of Heaven. Meanwhile, one can’t help but be transported to a vast cathedral with the majestic sounds of Cwm Rhondda, Regent Square and Welcome Home.

Classic Hymns for Orchestra may be appealing to Salvationists because it can be used in a variety of settings. As well as personal listening, these songs could be used in corps as preliminary or offertory music, and such is the format of many of the arrangements, also as congregational accompaniments. This could be particularly useful for corps that don’t have live music.

The trademark Downie sound and harmonic language is certainly evident throughout this album, and whether it is played for personal listening or congregational worship, this unique recording will be a must-have for every Salvationist’s music collection.

Classic Hymns for Orchestra is available to purchase as a hard copy or digital download from brookwrightmusic.com or by contacting kennethfdownie@gmail.com.

IN THE NEWS

Top 25 Worship Songs Associated With Few Megachurches

A study by worshipleaderresearch.com analyzed the top worship songs from 2010 to 2020, revealing that a small number of megachurches and affiliated artists are responsible for most of the popular worship music we listen to today. Out of the 38 songs that appeared on the top charts, 37 were either co-written or popularized by just a handful of megachurches—and a lot of the worship music heard at church might sound the same because of it.

Over the course of a decade, most chart-topping songs were associated with four groups: Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation and Passion, and songwriters who are connected to these groups such as Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman.

The report quotes Christian theologian Gordon D. Fee, who stated, “Show me a church’s songs and I’ll show you their theology.” These findings are the first step in exploring the theological impact of these megachurch influences and how they have come to shape the music repertoire of Christian worship.

“This also confirms the anecdotal fears of many local church songwriters,” the report states. “It seems a song written and created without the eventual support of these specific churches would not easily gain widespread popularity.”

This study may be of interest to songwriters, musicians, Salvationists involved in music ministry and those who lead worship at their corps.

Parenting Faith: Faith Formationof Children in the Home

A recent report by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), a mission partner of The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda, studies the question, “How do we help parents form faith in their children at home?” Parenting Faith, with research conducted by the EFC Centre for Research on Church and Faith, presents findings from interviews with family ministry experts and surveys from more than 1,200 Canadian parents.

The report examines factors that contribute to the transmission—or rejection—of faith from one generation to the next. “Parenting Faith identifies both gaps and opportunities for churches, ministry organizations and parents to help us all better guide youth into a life of following Jesus and meaningful participation in the church,” says Rick Hiemstra, lead researcher.

Most parents agreed that they take a different approach to faith formation in their kids than their own parents did, with methods such as creating open dialogue, having conversations about religion and choosing to model faith over teaching or prescribing it. Of the parents surveyed, 99 percent said that teaching and modelling their own faith is integral to the formation of faith in their kids, and 73 percent believe it is essential to offer religious choice without pressure. They also considered the church a partner in the spiritual development of their children and a valuable source for Christian socialization.

To download and read this resource, visit evangelicalfellowship.ca/parentingfaith.

This story is from: