The Diction of a Carol

Our choir director clarified how important diction was as we practiced for our Christmas concert. “If people can’t understand what you’re singing, they won’t understand the meaning of the music.”

His emphasis on diction was one reason our high school choir regularly won awards at music festivals. And that director was especially picky about Christmas carols. We sang one of his favorites in our Christmas concerts, and each year — he reviewed the pronunciation.

“Glow — not Glor. You don’t want to sound like a hick. Sing ‘Glow,’ and the audience will fully understand the entire word.”

Thus, we were challenged to properly pronounce this historic carol from the French.

“Glow – ree – ah. Een – eggshell – sees – day – oh.”

He was right. Overemphasizing the words with the proper pronunciation brought the end result to a beautiful climax. Listen to it here.

But what I most loved about Angels We Have Heard on High was the way the different harmonies danced together in a musical braid. The altos jumped toward a perfect third while we sopranos held the melody solid. Tenors, baritones, and basses rounded out the chords with perfect timing so that we all ended in the same place.

And the message of Luke 2:14 became clear not only to the audience but to those of us wrapped in choir robes, looking identical but each uniquely giving worship to Immanuel. To remind us all of that moment when the angelic choir sang, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth for all” (TLB).

Wouldn’t peace on earth be a lovely Christmas gift? Maybe we haven’t seen it yet, because we have not learned how to truly and expansively give glory to God. How to love God with our entire being. How to love others as much as we love ourselves.

Maybe we need to learn how to clearly worship — with the proper diction and a grateful heart.

©2024 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved

Image Attribution: MateJerry647 / Pixabay

Check out this perfect gift for the women in your life: The Women of Christmas.