O Sing, All Ye Faithful – The unifying power of music
“When you sing, you pray twice.”
The quote, attributed to St Augustine, underscores the power of music in religious expression.
At Trinity it also highlights its importance in bringing people together, deepening their Christian faith with a collaborative spiritual impact.
“It’s a shared cultural experience,” said Director of Co-Curricular Music Michael McGregor.
“Elevating a liturgical service with music draws the whole congregation together, just as going to a concert in one sense is a lower-level version of that.”
Chaplain James Harricks describes it as a corporate experience.
“Some people sing in the shower – I don’t, and no-one wants to hear me singing on my own. But there’s something about singing with a couple of hundred other people that is significant. Singing at a school is an instrument of belonging.”
Chapel band leader Sylvia Wallace believes the shared experience of worshipping through song strengthens bonds between students and staff.
“It makes the faith journey a collective one. It also reinforces the idea of being part of the body of Christ, where everyone’s contributions are valuable.
“At Trinity, music is used as a tool and medium for emotional and spiritual reflection, such as moments of repentance, thanksgiving, or feeling God’s presence. When students sing or hear songs that resonate with them, it can open their hearts to God in ways that might not happen through words alone.”
Music and faith unite four times every week at Trinity during services in the War Memorial Chapel, where the eight-member chapel band performs and traditional hymns are sung, backed by the majesty of the chapel pipe organ and grand piano.
“These students develop their musical skills not just for their own enjoyment but as a way to serve God and others. This helps instil the concept that all talents and gifts, including musical abilities, are given by God and should be used for His glory,” said Mrs Wallace.
Music also comes to the fore at regular School assemblies, annually at Nine Lessons and Carols as well as Ash Wednesday, and twice a year through the 50-strong choir for Evensongs.
Dr McGregor says the role of music in faith helps encourage the congregation not to be passive listeners but to engage in worship.
“There is no-one who is more special or less special than anyone else. The power of music is to be inclusive and a leveller of participation.”
The music chosen can also help reinforce the message of a particular reading or psalm.
James Harricks says music serves to unite the intellectual and emotional aspects of faith.
“It helps that process of connecting hearts and minds. So, as I sing what I know to be true I’m engaging my affections in a way that speaking prose doesn’t do. It fires up neurological pathways.
“My prayer is that the boys will believe what they sing.”
He says the War Memorial Chapel has a special place in Trinity’s history and psyche and “part of what we are doing in singing traditional hymns is passing boys into that tradition”.
Mrs Wallace says songs are specifically chosen to teach biblical truths, lessons, and values.
“Singing a powerful lyric or experiencing a moving worship moment can prompt deeper contemplation about a student’s relationship with God, their faith journey, and how they live out their Christian values.
“It can create a sacred, reverential atmosphere.
“Worship music at Trinity is an expression of faith that helps everyone engage spiritually, build community, reflect on biblical teachings, and grow in their personal relationship with God.”
Her own personal favourites include:
Powerful: Traditional – How Great Thou Art; Contemporary – In Christ Alone
Reflective: Traditional – Be Still My Soul, It Is Well with my Soul; Contemporary – Come As You Are, 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Calming: Traditional – Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty; Contemporary – The Lord’s My Shepherd (Psalm 23), Beautiful Saviour
At the more stirring end of the scale, Dr McGregor says: “It’s a thrill to conduct Praise to the Lord the Almighty at the Sydney Town Hall with a full orchestra and organ. That’s pretty hard to top.”
