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The Rev Rob Marshall |
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Sing Hallelujah is a nationwide project celebrating the Hallelujah Chorus and thereby marking the 250th anniversary of the death of Handel. There are big events in Glasgow and London today and tomorrow. Thousands of people as members of massed choirs will be singing one of the greatest musical works of all time in towns and cities right across the country.
There is even an orchestral backing on the BBC website so that you and your friends can join in and sing along (I was going to get John and Justin to give you a rendering this morning but thought better of it). Of the frequently asked questions on the same website, the one "I'm tone deaf, can I still come?" made me laugh the most: this event is truly open to everyone!
Singing is a strange thing and even more strange the more you think about it. There's nothing more beautiful, of course, than listening to a truly gifted singer and if we are really honest most of us would love to be singing virtuosos because it is such an amazing gift.
But the most remarkable thing about human beings singing with and even to each other, is how levelling and reassuring an activity it is; not to mention spiritually uplifting, often taking us out of ourselves. It can make grown men cry.
The few times I can get a ticket to watch Manchester United play football, I never cease to be amazed at the camaraderie, cheekiness and sense of togetherness achieved by thousands of mainly men who have never spoken a word to each other but who sing along for dear life about Rooney and Anderson.
This reminds me of a couple of years ago, when I went on an executive coaching course where a whole series of chief executives were encouraged to sing along with each other and take particular parts. There was no nodding off in that session, I can tell you, and togetherness in the group was of a quite different kind.
There is nothing worse than a church service in which no one sings. It can be quite appalling. And, of course, the opposite is the case when the singing is glorious in worship and the hallelujahs sound out and the sense of spiritual transformation which heartfelt singing can bring about is stunning. The words of Psalm 100 come to mind, make a joyful noise unto the Lord:
When I was based in Yorkshire, I used to go to hear the Huddersfield Choral Society sing Handel's Messiah complete with brass band and full chorus every year. (And I can't wait to hear them sing from it again tomorrow morning here on Radio 4) There really was no more joyful sound to be heard anywhere and nothing less than exhilaration would result. It's such a great piece and its there for everyone. Sing Hallelujah is a challenge to sing out a word recognised in every language everywhere: a word of praise, a cry of hope; a song of the spirit!