Giving a Talk, Any suggestions? Options

[Tosher]

Hello folks,

This November I am scheduled to give a talk to a Methodist ladies group entitled 'Hymns & Psalms'. Perhaps you will detect the extremely intelligent pun there.

I am going to try to deliver this in most interactive, interesting and multimedia enriched way that I can. Knowing what I want to achieve in terms of the aims for quality of delivery and some basic presentation skills, the main issue now is obviously content. I have been approached to do this following an extremely successful 'Evening with the Organ' last September which I ran with the same group in the church, which raised some funds for Action for Children (as will this).

I would be interested to know what sorts of things members would wish to include. The history of hymns and psalms, some key writers and composers, perhaps sing a couple (start and end?), maybe something about accompanying them (maybe some funny stories) and with regard psalms in particular, a bit of an explanation of how they work in practice today. How do these ideas sound? I would obviously try to place them in some kind of chronology, although they perhaps are a little bit there. I think the key balance to achieve is somewhere in the middle of it being a plain lecture and being 'fun' - by way of an interesting and enjoyable evening - for them.

I know this is a very broad question, but I would be interested to note any responses.

Thanks in advance,
Tosher

[mel2]

It would probably be very enjoyable. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The ideas you have noted sound spot on, and ladies' meetings being what they are, probably highly interactive.
What would be the venue? Church hall? Church? Scout Hut? Will you be illustrating the hymns with cds or will you have a piano/organ to hand? Will you be doing it yourself or will you be helped by a valiant assistant?

I wonder how you will weed out which hymns you will use as examples. Maybe illustrating high Anglican and happy clappy and how they sound respectively on the instruments (not indicating any preference, naturally (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ) Good luck with the psalms.

I'm rather dim at the best of times and still haven't 'got' the pun yet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[Tosher]

Mel2,

Thank you for your encouraging thoughts!

I hope it would be enjoyable anyway - they're a good and interactive group. The venue on this occasion would be one of the (well furnished, well heated) church halls, attached to the back of the church. I will have a piano or my keyboard with me, and will do any playing/demonstrations myself.

With regard which hymns to choose - probably the church's favourites/popular/recent royal wedding hymns. Will certainly be demonstrating different 'genres' - what would you call 'happy clappy' hymns and 'high Anglican' then - in terms of examples?

We'll see if anyone else gets the pun!

Thanks,
Tosher

[BerkshireMum]

I'm rather dim at the best of times and still haven't 'got' the pun yet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Hint: Could be something to do with the Methodist Hymnbook.

[vectistim]

I'm rather dim at the best of times and still haven't 'got' the pun yet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Hint: Could be something to do with the Methodist Hymnbook.

I think we'll need a larger hint, I thought the Methodist hymn book was called the Methodist Hymn Book, and on that basis I don't get it.

[fsharpminor]

I'm rather dim at the best of times and still haven't 'got' the pun yet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Hint: Could be something to do with the Methodist Hymnbook.

No I haven't got it (the pun) either, and I am very familiar with the old MHB , but not the more recent one used now.
I have a book on the origin of various hymns and there surely some interesting tales there. But Im away from home till Thursday evening so I cant remember the exact title. Will post again late Thurs for Friday.
I have always been interested in hymn and their origins. I love to hear your talk !

[Tosher]

The 'pun' is the fact that the authorised Methodist hymn book is, at present, Hymns & Psalms (1983) - also, cunningly, the title of the talk.

Anyway - thank you to those who have contributed - any further ideas? The history of hymns and their development is indeed fascinating, and a whole lecture series could, I am sure, be devoted to this!

[Swell Box]

Hi Tosher,
As you know we had a recent Songs of Praise service in our parish, led by the Bishop, in which he spoke about the history of hymns, from plain chant to the influence of the non conformists. This was both thoroughly enjoyable and educational. I don't know if Bishop Mark has written about this anywhere but I will try to find out.

I think it would be a good idea to include a few hymns if you can as this will bring your talk to life, and will break things up into manageable chunks.

SB

[mel2]

I've got a book called 'Sweet Songs of Zion' by John Betjeman that I've never actually read. (Also got a lot of other books I've never read -yet)

The one time I did want to look up the gist of a hymn, of course it wasn't included. Bah!

You are right, tosher, there is a whole lecture series in there somewhere. For me, happy clappy is anything vaguely swingy whereby arm waving, clapping or moving from one foot to the other seems to be expected. This kind of thing makes yours truly jam her hands in her pockets and set her jaw mulishly.

[Czerny]

The 'pun' is the fact that the authorised Methodist hymn book is, at present, Hymns & Psalms (1983) - also, cunningly, the title of the talk.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

I assume this isn't your "extremely intelligent" "pun", Tosher?

[Tosher]

It was indeed, Czerny.

Thanks for that, Swell Box - it would be interesting if your Bishop had written his talk down. However, I do wish to put very much my own stamp on this - but some 'history' may be of great interest.

Thanks to all those who have replied.

[BerkshireMum]

I think the talk sounds great, Tosher, and it's a good title for Methodists. I wish you were doing it in our circuit. We haven't sung a psalm for ages; these days we only do responsive readings.

Interestingly, the Russian Orthodox church doesn't believe instruments should be used in worship, and only employs the human voice. I suppose that's a bit like Catholic plainsong. Yet the Jews seem to have used instruments, at least, according to the Psalms. Could you research something about the use of instruments and the coming into/falling out of favour of the organ for worship? That might fit with the high Anglican v happy clappy suggested by mel2.

Then again, you can't do everything in one talk, and Action for Children might benefit from another session in 2012! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CJB]

My grandfather was a Methodist lay preacher. On the odd occasion he took the services he usually gave the history of the hymn we were going to sing next. He usually picked the good old Wesley favourites. Ok this was 25 or so years ago but it was very well received.

[Hils]

I have a book of Faith Cook's called Our hymn Writers and their hymns. It's what it says on the tin, with biographical information as well as a bit of insight into the writing process. I think the "Our" in the title refers to the Evangelical tradition but there are chapers on Watts, Wesley and Newton.

Yours sounds an interesting talk, Tosher. Please let us know when it goes on tour!

[Tosher]

Hi folks,

Many thanks indeed for the further responses. I like your ideas there Berkshiremum about the use of instruments - I am sure this could fit in well.

We will likely sing about three hymns in the course of it (beginning-middle-end) and so will probably say a very brief introduction about them, perhaps along the lines you suggest CJB.

As for a tour - I don't know about that one!!

All good wishes,
Tosher