OzThoughts Tuesday 16th December 2008

OzThoughts Tuesday 16th December 2008

How important is the task of the “sound person” is at any public event. Have the sound too soft and no one hears. Have it too loud and it is so uncomfortable, people refuse to listen. Out door events such as the carols by candlelight nights we are having here in Australia, test not only the equipment but those who are using it, at both ends of the microphone cord.

I remember an occasion, the sound person employed to operate the sound system at a Congress obviously was accustomed to rock concerts. He highly amplified the piano as if it was the solo instrument and that the 200 or so voices in the united Songster Brigade were there for its accompaniment. Hmmm, an interesting concept. Not!

I remember, too, when for rehearsal after rehearsal at the Training College the “Cadet’s Songsters” got used to singing with the accompaniment of guitars instead of the usual piano for the special effect for a special song. We practiced until our conductor who had composed the song and could “hear” the sound he wanted decided we had the balance right. We then went to a near by Corps to record our effort. Again, we took time to get the balance right. However, when the tape arrived at the College, it was as if we were singing a cappella (without instruments). Obviously the sound man did not like guitars!

In the same way I imagine bandmasters who struggle for a certain “sound balance” for their bands that meets their judgment have been horrified by the re-balancing of the sound by others who use multiple microphones and broadcast their own mix of blended highly amplified sounds.

[Sound people I have been a sound person and my hobby for years was recording bands in performance. I understand your task well, and use this as an illustration. It is an illustration, just like the story of the farmer who planted seed on rocky ground or where the birds got it. Sometimes, it just does not work out. It wasn’t a criticism of the farmer.].

I wonder how many messages have not been clearly understood or have lost their meaning and effect for various reasons including the wrong use or adjustment of the sound system. I must say that I understand that being the “sound person” is not easy but at the same time can make or break the atmosphere in a meeting and sometimes make it difficult for people to follow the speaker.

I am reminded that God speaks to us in many ways. The writer to the Hebrews says this, right at the beginning of his letter:

1 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries.
2 Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end.
3 This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says--powerful words!
After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God,
The Son Is Higher than Angels
4 far higher than any angel in rank and rule.
5 Did God ever say to an angel, "You're my Son; today I celebrate you"? Or, "I'm his Father, he's my Son"?
6 When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, "All angels must worship him." Hebrews 1 (The Message)

Prayer:

Father, I thank you for Jesus. May I today see and hear him more clearly, and love him more dearly and follow more nearly. Amen.

[Listen: Godspell – Sydney Congress Hall Band. : http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_696.mp3 ].

Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day

[ DAY BY DAY from
GODSPELL by Stephen Schwartz]
…………………………………..

[ Listen: (Richard Philips- Piano)
http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1764.mp3 ]

Lord, I pray that I may know thee,
Risen One, enthroned on high;
Empty hands I'm stretching to thee,
Show thyself to me, I cry.

Chorus
Show thyself to me, show thyself to me,
That I may reveal thy beauty;
Show thyself to me.

All that once I thought most worthy,
All of which I once did boast,
In thy light seems poor and passing,
'Tis thyself I covet most.

Give thyself to me, give thyself to me,
That I may show forth thy power;
Give thyself to me.

Only as I truly know thee
Can I make thee truly known;
Only bring the power to others
Which in my own life is shown.

Show thy power in me, show thy power in me,
That I may be used for others;
Show thy power in me.
Author: Ruth Tracy (1870-1960)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 435

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