Moments Musical: Saturday Night
Musicales
IN RECENT YEARS, gospel music programs featuring a variety of Christian musicians and singers have become increasingly popular. Several of the Bible conference grounds are featuring such programs through the summer, and these concerts are popular in Southern California the year round.
I was invited to play on one of these "Saturday Night Musicales" recently. It was being presented in a large auditorium of a nearby city, and to my surprise, the program attracted an audience of over 1,000.
There certainly was variety on this program. First, there was a tenor soloist, complete with accompanist and tape recorded orchestral background. Then there was a vocal duet, featuring the program director and his wife. Also on the program was a family group (a quartet) which presented country-Western type music. The hit of the evening was the accordionist. He had two accordions, plus electrified amplification through a
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speaker that produced almost unbelievable volume.
There is something about an accordion that is sure-fire—especially if it has a shiny, jewel-studded finish! Of course, if the musician has talent, this is an added plus. Unfortunately, it was my lot to follow the accordionist on the program. He had just presented a medley of marches, which almost literally lifted the roof. Anything after that would have come as an anticlimax, except possibly the U.S. Marine Band. I am not quite sure my first two numbers were even heard! The audience was still buzzing over the final shattering notes of the accordion.
I must say something more about the audience. They had come to enjoy themselves, and gain a spiritual lift through song. Since this was in no way like a church service, they felt free to applaud, and I even heard some whistles. Sometimes, even in the middle of a number, they would show their approval by breaking into applause. When they started to clap at the climax of one of my numbers, I almost forgot how to finish!
While I realize that the amount and the volume of applause is not necessarily the measure of an audience's appreciation, I must admit it is gratifying, sometimes, to hear it. Most of my concerts are played in churches, where applause seems somewhat out of place. However, in an auditorium, with the stage and the spotlights, it seems very natural to applaud.
The keynote of this program was informality. Why, the soloist even went out into the audience to sing one of his numbers!
There is one facet of these programs which always seems to present a problem. It was my understanding
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that each of us was to have two "packages" of approximately fifteen minutes each. The singer changed all of that by taking about forty minutes during his first group of numbers.
I almost forgot the choral group, which was a regular feature of every musical. They had about sixteen voices, and made an attractive addition to the program.
With all of these features being presented in one evening, the program naturally was long. It began at 7:45, and was supposed to conclude at 9:30; but it was after ten when it finally ended. Nevertheless, no one seemed to mind.
These concerts give the Christian public an opportunity to enjoy an evening of excellent gospel music, and also, they offer an outlet for the talents of singers and musicians. Sometimes I feel as though I am the last of the squares when I appear in one of these musicales, but I thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. I believe most of those who take part are truly dedicated Christians, and present their numbers with the prayer that God will speak to hearts through the music.
As for the old hymns versus the new type of gospel music, I, of course, must play what I feel is my ministry to play. God blesses hearts, wherever He finds them, with whatever means He has at hand.
