Institute Choir (Religion 110): Course Outline

Course Objective: Students will gain deeper understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ through sacred music by studying, singing, and performing.

Lesson 1: “The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord”

“The work of the Lord has been moved by the members in the wards and stakes and branches who have been blessed with special gifts and who use them unselfishly” (Boyd K. Packer, “The Arts and the Spirit of the Lord,” Ensign, Aug. 1976, 61).

Lesson 2: Purpose of Music in the Church

“My soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12).

Lesson 3: Musical Symbols and Terms

“The righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy” (D&C 45:71).

Lesson 4: Conducting Music

“Music has always been an important part of worship for Latter-day Saints. It inspires and strengthens, brings beauty and unity, and is a unique way to express feelings about the gospel” (The Conducting Manual of the Basic Music Course [1992], 1).

Lesson 5: Church Music Department

“The Prophet Joseph himself organized the first choir in the Church and consistently attended its practices” (Reid Nibley, “Thoughts on Music in the Church,” Ensign, Feb. 1972, 13).

Lesson 6: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

“We desire to see this choir not only maintain the high reputation it has earned at home and abroad, but become the highest exponent of the ‘Divine Art’ in all the land; and the worthy head, example and leader of all other choirs and musical bodies in the Church, inspiring musicians and poets with purest sentiment and song and harmony, until its light shall shine forth to the world undimmed, and nations shall be charmed by its music” (Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith, in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6 vols. [1965–75], 3:267).

Lesson 7: Music and the Spoken Word

“During its 75 years, Music and the Spoken Word has received numerous awards; it has received the highest honors and the strongest accolades from peers and industry professionals; it is consistently rated number one in its category in the Nielsen ratings; it has been featured in Life magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and countless other media outlets; and it has been inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame” (Lisa Ann Jackson, “From the Crossroads of the West,” Ensign, July 2004, 71).

Lesson 8: “The Nourishing Power of Hymns”

“Hymns play an essential role in spirituality, revelation, and conversion” (Jay E. Jensen, “The Nourishing Power of Hymns,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 11).

Lesson 9: The Church Hymnbook

“The 300-plus selections in the 1985 hymnbook—some of which to this day remain ‘undiscovered’—will continue to bless lives as members accept the First Presidency’s invitation: ‘Let us use the hymns to invite the Spirit of the Lord into our congregations, our homes, and our personal lives. Let us memorize and ponder them, recite and sing them, and partake of their spiritual nourishment’ [Hymns, x]” (Garrett H. Garff, “The Hymnbook Turns 30,” Ensign, Sept. 2015, 75).

Lesson 10: The Children’s Songbook

“Music is a language that everyone can understand” (Children’s Songbook, iii).

Lesson 11: The Choirbook

“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

“Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious” (Psalm 66:1–2).

Lesson 12: Basic Music Course of the Church

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

Lesson 13: “The Influence of Music”

“Let the Spirit be your guide, and when you have doubts about the music you are listening to or the circumstances you are in, have the courage to act so the Spirit can remain with you” (Rosemary M. Wixom, “The Influence of Music,” New Era, Sept. 2013, 35).

Lesson 14: The Ward Choir

“A choir which favors secular music above sacred music on the Sabbath becomes a chorus. In that respect, they teach the ways of men and, in doing so, miss the opportunity to inspire, and deny the power that they might otherwise have. The Spirit does not ratify speech nor confirm music which lacks spiritual substance” (Boyd K. Packer, “Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 22).

Lesson 15: “Worship through Music”

“Sacred music has a unique capacity to communicate our feelings of love for the Lord” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Worship through Music,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 10).

Lesson 16: Music in Sacrament Meeting

“The hymns of the Church are the basic music for worship services and the standard for congregational singing. Other appropriate selections may be used for prelude and postlude music, choir music, and special musical selections” (Russell M. Nelson, “Worshiping at Sacrament Meeting,” Ensign, Aug. 2004, 27).

Lesson 17: Handel’s Messiah

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).

Lesson 18: Nurturing Faith in God

“God loves all His children. He wants all of them to return to Him. He desires everyone to be in tune with the sacred music of faith” (Quentin L. Cook, “In Tune with the Music of Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 42).

Lesson 19: Personal Revelation

“Secular music may be inspiring in a classical or popular sense, but it will not prepare your mind to be instructed by the Spirit as will sacred music” (Boyd K. Packer, “Personal Revelation: The Gift, the Test, and the Promise,” Ensign, Nov. 1994, 61).

Lesson 20: Moral Agency

“The Church must not compromise standards before popular demands” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Satan’s Thrust—Youth,” Ensign, Dec. 1971, 53).

Lesson 21: Music and Missionary Work

“Beginning this day, I exhort you to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth—messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy—and literally to sweep the earth as with a flood [see Moses 7:59–62]” (David A. Bednar, “Flood the Earth through Social Media,” New Era, Aug. 2015, 35).

Lesson 22: “The Power and Protection of Worthy Music”

“The Book of Mormon teaches that one’s desire to sing praises to the Lord comes with one’s complete conversion to Him [see Alma 5:26]” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Power and Protection of Worthy Music,” Ensign, Dec. 2009, 15).

Lesson 23: Popular Music

“If a certain form of music is hampering our spiritual health and development, in whatever subtle and quiet way, it must be given up in favor of music that will build spiritual strength” (Lex de Azevedo, “Setting Musical Standards,” in “A Closer Look at Popular Music,” Ensign, Mar. 1985, 40).

Lesson 24: “Inspiring Music––Worthy Thoughts”

“If you can control your thoughts, you can overcome habits, even degrading personal habits” (Boyd K. Packer, “Inspiring Music––Worthy Thoughts,” Ensign, Jan. 1974, 28).

Lesson 25: Music in Our Homes

“Music has boundless powers for moving families toward greater spirituality and devotion to the gospel. Latter-day Saints should fill their homes with the sound of worthy music” (Hymns, x).

Lesson 26: “The Power of Hymns”

“Hymns often express testimony and may even be a form of protection or a source of comfort and healing” (Merrill J. Bateman, “The Power of Hymns,” Ensign, July 2001, 16).

Lesson 27: Music in Our Personal Lives

“Inspiring music may fill the soul with heavenly thoughts, move one to righteous action, or speak peace to the soul” (Ezra Taft Benson, “Do Not Despair,” Ensign, Nov. 1974, 67).

Lesson 28: “Master, the Tempest Is Raging”

“We should not expect to get through life individually or collectively without some opposition” (Howard W. Hunter, “Master, the Tempest Is Raging,” Ensign, Nov. 1984, 35).