Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008

Musical therapy

It’s that time of year. Surely, you didn’t think I’d forget.

Here’s my annual shameless promotion of the “Spiritual Christmas” celebration, which is 6 p.m. Sunday at St. James AME Church, 1002 Sixth Ave., Columbus.

Each year, whether it’s something old or something new, we know it is spiritual. That’s what we’ve come to expect from the St. James Mass Choir.

We’ve celebrated some phenomenal wins and suffered some tragic losses this year. People like me will be reminded of these events thoughout the concert.

Each year I eagerly await the selections that tap into my feelings. One of those favorites is the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” During years past, the hymn brought tears to my eyes because it was one of my father’s favorites. But over the years, the words have imprinted on my own spirit, and now my tears are more selfish.

Another guaranteed tearjerker is “O Come, Let Us Adore Him,” a derivation of “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

This year I know I’ll join many in weeping for the new page in democracy the voters in this country turned with the presidential election.

We have a lot to cry about this year: Foreclosures, bankruptcies, unemployment and bailouts.

“Heavy year-end downsizing has brought annual job cuts to over 1,000,000 for the first time since 2005,” according to Challenger, Gray and Christmas, an international outplacement firm. “As more Americans involuntarily enter the job market, the time it takes to find a new position, along with frustration levels, are rising to new highs.”

All this is heaped on top of the trials and tribulations faced by our military forces, their families and loved ones.

The church has traditionally provided shelter from the storms of the outside world. And in the black church, the music ministry has always played a key role, with music that can reach inside listeners and touch places of great sadness or great joy.

Black church music was born in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations. The songs are about life, death, suffering, sorrow, love, judgment, grace, hope, justice and mercy — all the issues that currently fill our minds.

These are songs of an unhappy people, weary at heart, a discontented people, yet they are the most beautiful expression of human experience and faith this side of the seas, William B. McClain wrote in the Songs of Zion.

Coaxed by their own spirits and experiences, St. James choir members feel the world, and then share those feelings with the rest of us.

In the tradition of the black church, if the musicians and choir don’t “feel” the music, neither will the congregation. If the congregation doesn’t feel the music, the musicians and choir haven’t done their jobs.

At St. James, Minister of Music Josiah Sumbry and the music department can always be counted on to go beyond the call of duty.

In years past, the holiday season may have provided an escape from the harsh realities we face most of the year. But we’re currently being stalked by issues best confronted head on.

Attending this Christmas concert won’t change circumstances, but it is the best form of music therapy.

Contact Kaffie Sledge at sledgekh@yahoo.com