My Calling as a Ward Accompanist

Responsibilities

The Lord is grateful for your willingness to serve in His Church. Below is an overview of the responsibilities for your calling.

Purpose of Music in the Church

Sacred music increases faith in Jesus Christ. It invites the Spirit and teaches doctrine. It also creates a feeling of reverence, unifies members, and provides a way to worship Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Lord declared, “My soul delighteth in the song of the heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:12). (See General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 19.1.)

Ward Accompanist

The ward accompanist helps ward members increase faith in Jesus Christ through sacred music. They provide prelude and postlude music and accompaniment for hymns during sacrament meeting and other ward meetings as requested. When needed, the accompanist could also accompany the choir or serve as the Primary pianist. (See 19.4.3.2).

Music for Church Meetings

“Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings” (Hymns, First Presidency Preface). Musical selections should teach the gospel with power and clarity (see 19.3.1).

Music for Sacrament Meeting

Music in sacrament meeting includes singing of hymns to open and close the meeting and before the administration of the sacrament. Sacrament meeting could also include one or more additional hymns or musical presentations. Hymns or other sacred musical selections may be used for prelude and postlude music, choir music, and solo or small group presentations. (See 19.3.2.)

Training and Resources

For details about music training, see section 19.6 of the General Handbook. If no accompanist is available for ward meetings, see section 19.4.3.2 to access recorded accompaniment.

Guidelines and Policies

For additional policies and guidelines, such as obtaining music, use of meetinghouse instruments for practice, or community choirs, see section 19.7 of the General Handbook.