September 2000 Table of Contents

Special Feature
Timeless Hymns - A Tribute

Nationally recognized sacred concert pianist, published arranger, recording artist, wife, mother and college professor, Marilynn Ham is primarily known throughout the country as a best-selling arranger for Lillenas Publishing Company.

In addition to her teaching and performing responsibilities for Bethel College, Mrs. Ham concertizes and conducts piano seminars nationwide. Her concert programs consist of her arrangements of well-known hymns and Christian songs, as well as personal testimony, in which she represents the greatness of God and her thankful response to Him.

A quote by Ken Bible of Lillenas Publishing Company describes her music ministry further: "It is a privilege for Lillenas to have a part in Marilynn Ham's ministry. Pianists and listeners alike seem drawn to the musical and heartfelt quality of her arrangements. The reception of her collections places her among the finest keyboard arrangers Lillenas has ever published, and her live performances have been a highlight of every concert in which she has participated."

Life seems to have fewer and fewer "absolutes" or "black and white" areas. In music there are some absolutes. For example, you are or aren't playing the notes written on the page. But what's "right" for one church in style or music isn't always what's "right" for another. When we choose and play piano arrangements of hymns and choruses, a lot of the effectiveness of the performance is determined by whether the text can be heard through the music.

One of the most memorable compliments I've ever received on my piano concert ministry is that "Marilynn Ham didn't need to say a word; I can hear the words through her fingertips." What words? The words they heard were "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; 0 what a foretaste of glory divine." How can we, as pianists, communicate a message to the church (and the unchurched) without a common language?

First, let me say I am open to all styles of music that glorify God in worship. I have grown up with the old hymns and gospel songs accompanied by piano and organ through parents and grandparents on both sides of our family. I teach in a Christian Liberal Arts college, where our chapel services are filled with primarily the singing of praise and worship choruses led by our chapel band. In addition, we attend a church in which a wide variety of music is used. Everything from Bach Preludes and Fugues played by our organist, and choir anthems in our "spirited traditional" service, to our contemporary service with songs like "Shout To The Lord" and "Shine Jesus Shine," led by keyboard, guitar, bass and drums. Why am I taking time to give you my background? It is to show you my perspective and experience in each of these settings.

I believe that as Christian musicians we have a duty to promote our heritage in hymns in our present generation. We need a common language, a common thread, to continue to unite the past with the present and future in church music. The very best example to support my belief is something that happened in one of my sacred piano concerts. A year ago I played a concert at the First Chinese Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. I was told I would be playing to a bilingual audience and that I would have a translator to help with my spoken introductions and my testimony. When I came to the part in the program where I play my arrangement of "How Great Thou Art," I usually sing the opening verse and chorus and invite the congregation to join me. I began to sing in English with some of the audience while the rest joined in singing in Chinese. What a beautiful experience! As I struggled to play through my tears, I was deeply moved by the realization of the power of instrumental music to convey the story of Christ when a familiar song to all is being played. We united our voices in the theme of the "greatness of God" with the common denominator of an old gospel song'.

Could this have happened with a contemporary Christian chorus? Only if this church knew the same choruses as I knew. You might say that this Chinese Baptist church was used to more traditional music and so knew "How Great Thou Art." But there are other examples as well. Our city has a mission called Hope Rescue Mission. I played the hymns for their service one night. As the men shouted out their requests they included: "Amazing Grace", "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Even men in the midst of fighting alcoholism still remember the songs they sang when they were growing up--with words they had memorized over the years.

We must not forsake our Christian musical heritage. It is a powerful tool to reach both the older generation and new Christians. (And those of us in-between!) It is a powerful tool to unite believers of all ages and all musical preferences.

My husband and I took our two teenage children to the Billy Graham Crusade in Indianapolis in the summer of 1999. None of us had ever heard Billy Graham in person, but knowing that he was preaching fewer crusades, we felt the importance of driving the three hours to hear him and experience this legacy for ourselves. Of course, our children had no idea what to expect and we would have heard many less complaints had we been heading to a Pacers game! We stood in line for two hours (in the rain) to get our seats in the RCA Dome. The opening of the service had a nice blend of traditional music led by Cliff Barrows and choruses led by a well-known praise team. The choir sang under Barrow's direction then, George Beverly Shea sang "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" followed by Rev. Graham's sermon. It was powerful, basic and to the point regarding salvation. He invited people to come forward and accept Christ. And what did we sing over and over again while thousands came forward? "Just As I Am Without One Plea." I was in tears. Our children had never seen anything like it as for several minutes people kept coming. My husband and I were so glad we had made the effort to come.

The power of music with deep Biblical and theological texts upon which our faith lies is awesome to experience. Only time can tell what the "classics" of contemporary Christian music will be. And there are and will be some. Time and universal appeal will determine what our future generations will be singing. Whatever that may be, let us not forsake the old for the sake of the new. Just as we would never give up playing or teaching Bach to replace his music totally with Gershwin, I would hope there is room in the church of Jesus Christ for the music of Charles Wesley and Twila Paris. The words of this Wesley hymn allow all believers the opportunity for joyful praise to our Redeemer.

O for a thousand tongues to sing Thy great Redeemer's praise;
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come;
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

I have put these thoughts into the choices of music used in my piano book ONE LORD, ONE FAITH (© 1997). The concept behind this book was to combine the old and new music of the church into advanced piano solos. All congregations would benefit from it in the sense that they would experience the traditional and the new. We serve "ONE LORD" and we share "ONE FAITH". Our music can be united as well.

Since IVORY EXALTATION (my first book) was published in 1985 through BE THOU MY VISION (© 2000), I have relied on the "classic" hymns and gospel songs of the church. Sometimes I incorporate classical music in the arrangements and in the last few years, added contemporary choruses to the menu. I am always open to new music and fresh ways of arranging very well known hymns.

In the ten books I've had published, my very first book continues to sell well--often out-selling my newer books. When asked why I think that book continues to top the sales, I jokingly say that pianists must be wearing out their copies or the pages are turning yellow with age. But seriously, I think it is because I included some of the arrangements I had played by ear for years. Many of the songs used are undeniably "classic." How can you top the message of "Amazing Grace", "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "Be Still My Soul"? And finally, I've always chosen music that speaks to the heart and that means something personally to me.

I wish to express my deep gratitude to the Lillenas Publishing Company for continuing to publish my piano works over the years. They have been wonderful to work with.

Contact Marilynn Ham at: mhaminc@aol.com

1 "How Great Thou Art" was written in Sweden in 1886. The music was revised by Rev. Jean Staneschi and published in the Romanian Baptist Hymnal in 1929.

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