Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Erin & Steven Richardson Severin at an Aloha Hour

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD all the whole earth! - Psalm 96:1 (BCP p. 725)

Some of you may have heard of a piece entitled 4’33” written by experimental composer John Cage in the 1950s. Cage was already known as someone who pushed the boundaries of what could be considered “music,” but this piece brought it to a whole different level. In the piece, there are no notes or rhythms. The performer is simply instructed to remain silent for four minutes and thirty-three seconds, hence the name.

The psalm text I quoted above has long been a favorite; in fact, it is one of the few Biblical texts I knew before I became a Christian. Of course, I have been a singer for about as long as I remember, and most of you know me as a voice in the St. Mark’s choir. Singing is a huge part of my life, and something I have come to rely on. Thus, it is no surprise that Psalm 96 carries a special meaning, a command from God to share my music throughout the whole world.

In this time of CoViD-19, however, my new song appears to be a very long rendition of Cage’s iconic music of silence. Although musicians are striving to adapt to this “new normal,” the reality is that singing in particular has become a risky, taboo practice, relegated only to the comfort of one’s own home. In its place, I have begun to hear a deep, deafening silence.

In the First Book of Kings, the prophet Elijah is called to the wilderness to encounter God. Elijah experiences many great sounds: rushing wind, trembling earthquakes, and raging fire. However, God was not present in these great shows of force. Indeed, God arrived “in the sound of sheer silence.”

Being a musician during the pandemic has been truly difficult. However, it is through the silence brought on by our sudden isolation that I have found God’s “new song” of Psalm 96. Just as John Cage pushed boundaries and challenged society’s expectations of what “music” means, this pandemic has given me a new appreciation for what “new songs” we can sing in this time. By stepping away from so much music-making, I have been able to hear God in the “sound of sheer silence,” and so discover new ways to share in Christ’s discipleship. Where some might see desolation and emptiness, I see the fullness of God’s glorious creation.

Today, I invite you to “perform” Cage’s 4’33”. I invite you to find a few minutes of sheer silence, even amidst the din of great noise in which we often find ourselves. In this silence, I have found the gift of music after all. The song may be new, but the Artist is eternal.

Erin Richardson Severin