Singing the praises of choir

A workshop focuses on the spiritual and physical responsibilities of choir members.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- Whether you prefer traditional hymns, soulful gospel or contemporary Christian lyrics, music goes hand in hand with worship.
Most people enjoy the music of worship -- it does something for the soul.
Many people have sat in church pews, stumbling through an unfamiliar tune. Others may mouth the words because they just can't sing. A few may try to hide among those with better voices.
But there's no place to hide when every voice in the choir counts.
James Ferguson of Warren, minister of music at Tabern4acle Baptist Church, 707 Arlington St., knows that from experience. He draws on his background in music, starting from his youth and his family and his involvement in the Ferguson Singers, a group with his siblings.
It's all helped in his vocation and his mentoring of the choirs at Tabernacle -- youth choir for those 8 to 21 years old, chancellor choir for adults, gospel choir or senior choir whose members range from their 50s to 70s, and the combined choir of all the groups.
Workshop
Recently, Ferguson had a three-day workshop at the church that focused on music ministry and responsibilities as a vocalist and musician. It culminated with a concert. About 50 people participated.
"The concert was tremendous," he said.
But illness and family emergencies sidelined some participants including two of the drummers and bass player so Ferguson had to work fast with substitutions. "The Lord blessed us because I got people at the last minute," he said.
Most people might not realize that there are physical responsibilities involved in singing, Ferguson said. "You have to treat your body correctly to be able to sing," he said. Physical exercises include stretching that helps singers get limber, flexible and relaxed.
It also means drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily; forget the pop or other sweet beverages.
"Water helps with your stamina and helps with the ability to hold notes," Ferguson said. What and when singers eat also play a role in their performances. "There are foods to avoid ... heavy and greasy foods. Your body is working on them and they make you tired."
Vocal exercises also are vital in preparation and performance. The uninformed might think singers are bored or tired because they're yawning. But Ferguson said yawning is a method used to stretch the vocal chords and throat muscles before singing. Going through the scales -- doe, re, mi -- is another means of warming up.
And wearing "shouting shoes" (comfortable footwear) also enhances the overall performance, he said.
"Music is a universal language. Music enters places where words cannot," he said. "Music is able to open up and enter hearts that might not have been open before. The music opens up the mind to receive the word [of God.]"
Meaning of the hymns
Ferguson also encourages choir members to focus on the meaning of the hymns. "Interpretation has a lot to do with the words of the songs. It's up to the choir to present [the words] effectively," he said. "And choir members must understand what they're singing."
Ferguson said his favorite hymns include "Amazing Grace," which he said "is the most powerful song I know," "'Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus" and "Great is Thy Faithfulness."
Lois Thornton of Youngstown, who said she was "born in the church," became involved in the choir when she was 13. A member of the chancellor and gospel choirs, she said she appreciated the workshop for "the spiritual aspects of why you sing."
A soprano and first alto, Thornton said she valued how Ferguson teaches different aspects in song presentation. "You learn how to breathe through various exercises, the proper enunciation and correct posture," she said.
"I was energized. You praise and worship Christ through song. A lot of the songs are based in scripture," she added.
She noted that the "150th Psalm," one of the concert songs, is scripture set to music and another way to learn the bible verse.
Clara Barrett of Youngstown has belonged to Tabernacle for some 40 years and been a choir member for 30 or more. "The workshop was very beneficial ... there's always something to learn," she said.
"Singing uplifts me, and I hope I share that," the soprano added.