The key word for the music of this year’s Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC) seemed to be variety. From a gospel rendition of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” by Bonita Conley of Birmingham’s Sixth Avenue Baptist Church to worship songs led by the choir of Birmingham’s Lakeside Baptist Church, the goal was to provide music everyone would enjoy and identify with.
“We try to have a varied selection to meet the needs of everybody attending,” said Ray Burdeshaw, director of the office of worship leadership/church music for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
Burdeshaw explained that the convention’s program committee selects the performers and leaves the music selection up to them.
Tom Smith, director of the Alabama Singing Men (ASM), said some considerations in selecting music are those of the audience and preparation time. “We try to give the guys a variety of songs to sing, from classics to contemporary.”
This year, the men had a new consideration when picking the music for the convention. Women’s voices would be singing along for the first time as the newly-formed Alabama Singing Women (ASW) joined the men in performing the special music Wednesday morning.
“We’re so thrilled to have the ASM and ASW in the choir loft together,” said ASM president Gordon Welch.
The women were as excited as the men, according to Pam Hinson of Webb Baptist Church. “It’s an honor to be a part of such a beautiful voice blended into one. I think [singing at the convention] is going to be like what singing in heaven is like, just praising the Lord with thousands of voices.”
Variety also existed in the experience. Some were seasoned, having performed several times at the convention. Others, although experienced performers in their own churches like Nancy Moore of Birmingham’s Shades Mountain Baptist Church, were singing at their first convention.
Worshiping together
Moore said singing at the convention was different from worship services, since the sanctuary was filled with church leaders. “It’s great that all the leaders of the [Baptist] churches in Alabama could come together and fellowship together,” she said.
Within the accomplishments of the music at the convention exists a variety dependent on the timing and type of music.
It can serve as a pause in the action, a break in all the business of the convention to remind those attending of the convention’s purpose. “[The music] is a pausing point to help everyone refocus on God,” Welch said.
“It aids in the spirit of the convention,” Tom Smith suggested. “The spirit of worship, and the attitude of Christ and coming together as Baptists.”
“[Congregational music] gives everyone a chance to actually participate in worship at the convention,” Burdeshaw said.
And for the performers, the music of the convention is a chance to collaborate with others of like talent and use those talents to glorify God.
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