The Song Leader's Library

There are several approaches one can take in writing a book on church music. Many books are written with an historical perspective that traces the changes in musical styles or tells the stories of individual hymns. Some books seek to expound the theological basis for music, and some try to inspire the church musician, relatively few books offer a purely practical guide to leading congregational song. Introducing A New Hymnal, by James R. Sydnor, is a practical book. The subtitle of the book is "How To Improve Congregational Song". This book offers useful advice on every aspect of leading congregational song.

The first half of the book is devoted to choosing and introducing a new hymnal. This section should be of particular interest to churches that are using an older hymnal like the original edition of Songs Of The Church. There are several new brotherhood hymnals on the market and at least one new hymnal to be introduced in 1994, these congregations should at least be considering the idea of a new hymnal. But the relevance of this half of the book goes beyond those choosing new hymnals. There is a section on better understanding what makes up a hymnal, including the indexes. This is valuable in explaining how to use all the indexes in Praise For The Lord, for example.

The last chapter in the first half of the book is on the subject of introducing new songs to a congregation. In this chapter Dr. Sydnor gives his four principles of learning a new hymn:

1. Readiness—the congregation must want to learn.
2. Gradualness—don't try to sing too many new songs at one time.
3. Repetition—follow up the introduction of a new song with a second look at it, and then a third.
4. Perseverance—make the learning of new songs a long-term program.

Sydnor includes a discussion of what makes a hymn singable. This will help song leaders predict which songs the church will learn quickly.

The second half of the book is a general discussion of how to improve congregational singing. It includes chapters on the use of hymns in the worship service, in the education program, and in the home. There is also a chapter on planning special singing services. Dr. Sydnor writes from a Presbyterian background; therefore much of his book addresses the situation of a more formal and liturgical church. He has nothing to say about the recent phenomenon of praise and worship music, although most of his points would apply to all musical styles.

He includes material on how to best use the choir and organ. Readers of this journal will have no interest in that material. However, the balance of the book is very useful, and can help a song leader develop his craft.

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