Introduce an Unfamiliar Hymn

"In addition to using hymns that are already known and loved, members are encouraged to become acquainted with new or less familiar hymns. Music leaders should try to achieve a good balance between familiar favorites and hymns that are not as well known" (Handbook 2: Administering the Church, 14.4.4).

In 1987, a team of explorers discovered an extensive cave system in the mountainous region of Crimea. Dubbed the Mrahmornaya Peschyera, or Marble Caves, this expansive group of caverns is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. I had the opportunity to visit these caves while I was a missionary in 1999. My favorite among the strange and beautiful formations was a cluster of stalactites that have grown together over time to look like the pipes of an organ.

Not only are the caves strange and unfamiliar, but the path to find them is quite remote and was also unfamiliar to my companion and me. We needed a guide: a local member of the church who knew how to get there and what to look for inside the caves. Much like finding and exploring an other-worldly cave, singing an unfamiliar hymn may require a guide.

We have all had that awkward experience of singing an unfamiliar hymn in sacrament meeting and it seems as if only three other people are actually singing. To strike the right balance between introducing unfamiliar hymns, but still ensuring the singing invites the Spirit, consider the following suggestions.

Introduce It: Have a member of the bishopric or the Ward Music Director introduce the hymn acknowledging that it may not be familiar, but inviting all to try

Extend the Intro: Invite the Ward Organist to play an entire verse as the introduction

Slow the Tempo: Slow the tempo to allow the congregation to keep up

Lead by Example: Have the Ward Choir or small group sing the first verse as a special musical number then have the congregation join for the remaining verses

Repeat: Sing one hymn a couple of weeks in a row--as I often heard them say in Ukraine, Повторе́ние – мать уче́нья, repetition is the mother of learning!

Ease into It: Make sure that no more than one hymn per week is unfamiliar