There is much to thank God for, and to look forward to in hope. For the past two decades, God’s faithfulness has been evident through the generosity of donors who helped MSM develop programmes for various purposes.
The Ministry Scholarship programme, for example, helps less privileged children with their music education, while the biennial Worship Symposium provides a platform for worship ministry teams (both local and overseas) to renew their understanding of worship. The Asian Composers Forum (2011-2013) gathered composers from the region to discuss stewardship and the significance of Asian expressions in worship, and led to the publishing of Let the Asian Church Rejoice (2015), a collection of Asian hymns for local congregations.
These have helped the MSM realise its vision of promoting excellence in music education, and enhanced the quality of worship not just through music but also through fostering continual discussion in the essentials of worship.
In 2013, the Methodist Festival Choir (MFC) was formed to foster and promote good choral music and congregational singing. Seventy choristers were selected through auditions, representing 20 Methodist churches, one Presbyterian church, and one Anglican church. Amongst them are seven church choir conductors.
Today, the MFC doubles as a platform for choir conductors to learn about rehearsal techniques, share resources, and enjoy music-making with other choristers. The MFC has also blessed the Methodist community with worship events that explore themes of the Church year presented in various liturgical and worship expressions.
Next in the pipeline is the development of the Methodist Festival Orchestra, which the MSM hopes will receive the same support and enthusiasm from the Methodist family.
The MSM Thanksgiving Service will feature the MFC, a brass quartet, and performances by MSM students and teachers. This worship event will allow one to experience the structure of worship, the function of the choir, and the leadership of the instruments played; it will also showcase the value of the congregation’s participation.
We pray that these will translate into a meaningful worship experience for all attendees and be acceptable and pleasing to God. Come join us in giving thanks to Him, and expressing our hope in Him!
Judith Mosomos –
is Director of Worship and Church Music at the Methodist School of Music, and a member of Kampong Kapor Methodist Church.
Image courtesy of the Methodist School of Music