3 Reasons I Love Instrumentalists In My School Choir

At Briarwood Christian School, I am blessed to have instrumentalists who happen to also be singers in my four choirs and my worship leadership class. I shouldn’t be surprised by now, but I am often amazed at the intense desire of many students to sing and play. As I reflect on the instrumentalists I’ve known, there are three big reasons I love to have them in my choir.

Better Musicians

I love instrumentalists in my choir because they enrich the experience for the choir, the audience, and me. These students are usually better music readers, and they often feel and understand the music on a deeper level.

More Opportunities

I love instrumentalists in my choir because I don’t have to go beg the band directors when I already have that skill set among the singers. Because I have a relationship with these students, they are eager to show the group “what else” they can do. I purposefully ask every student about their musical backgrounds, and I am often surprised and delighted to hear where they have come from musically.

Deeper Worship

I love instrumentalists in my choir because in 1 Chronicles 15:16, David ordered the heads of the Levites to assign their relatives to sing in the choir, accompanied by a well-equipped marching band, and fill the air with joyful sound. If God commanded it for his original worship leaders, the Levites, I think it still worthwhile and greatly needed today.

Contributor Matt Gaines is an ordained Baptist minister, a teacher at Briarwood Christian School, and a Music & Worship Associate at the Dawson Family of Faith.