Concert Prefaces
by Charles Hulin IV (2003)

I know that some of you sometimes find yourselves presenting music for people 
who only consider music to be worshipful when it is based on a hymn or some 
other Christian song. Some of you have to play instrumental preludes or 
offertories in this type of situation. Occasionally, you may be playing an 
entire recital in such an environment. In what follows you will find five "Concert Prefaces" that may help to bridge the perceived gap between spiritual and musical things.

Please feel free to use these prefaces in bulletins, concert programs, or as readings. Also, please feel free to add to or subtract from them as suits your situation.

Maybe you'll be inspired to write some prefaces of your own!

Christian Composers 
Most classical composers through the beginning of the 20th century were 
Christians. As Christian composers, they produced music that demonstrates 
Christian values and priorities. The excellent work of these composers 
glorifies God. Even the few composers who claimed not to be Christians were 
living in a culture deeply influenced by Christianity, and their music reflects it.

The Artist's Perspective 
Artists are interested in expressing the human condition. They are interested 
in all of life. As an art form, classical music explores every facet of the 
human condition: pain, passions, conflict, disappointments, as well as love, 
joy, peace, self-control, and much more. As music gives a broad picture of 
human experience, it provides a tremendous gift to the church. It shows 
something of the need for God in daily life outside the church’s walls. It also 
speaks of the presence of God wherever we find ourselves.

Talent is a Sign of God 
Talent is a sign of God. In the abilities of gifted composers and performers we 
see some indication of God’s glory and completeness. God’s creativity underlies 
creative human achievement.

Channels of Grace 
Throughout the history of Christianity, people have been inspired to draw 
closer to God and God’s ways through paintings, poems, music, and more 
recently, books and films. Although these inspiring items were not always 
intentionally Christian, God used them as channels of grace to draw people 
closer. James 1:17 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God. It 
seems that music that is wholesome and excellent must also be a gift from God.

God and Beauty 
The Bible tells us that 
holiness is beautiful (I Chron. 16:29), 
God is beautiful (Ps. 27:4) 
God’s reign is beautiful (Zechariah 11:7) 
a spirit that is gentle and quiet is beautiful (I Peter 3:4) 
the presence of those who preach the gospel of peace is beautiful 
(Romans 10:15) 
In Isaiah 60:13 God says "beautify the place of My sanctuary." 
In Psalm 149:4 we are told that God will "beautify the humble with salvation." 
We can look at God’s created world and see that it is beautiful. 
Certainly the Biblical descriptions of heaven are beautiful.

God and beauty are connected, and many people have found that God speaks 
through beautiful music.