Music
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Stopped Pipes & Stubborn People
Pipe organs are temperamental instruments. True to their name, they seem to live—and die—like biological beasts. They fluctuate with humidity and temperature. The smallest bits of dust can set them wheezing. Occasionally they refuse to play—or to stop playing—for no clear reason, and never when convenient. Knowing that a freshly-tuned organ awaited me, I was Continue reading
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Worship Leader, Are You Using the Wrong Metric?
It’s Advent, a season of special services and rousing carols. Even people who rarely listen to traditional worship music will find themselves humming along to “What Child is This?” or belting out “Glo-o-o-o-o-oooo-o-o-o-o-ooooo-o-o-o-o-ooo-ria!” when “Angels We Have Heard on High” plays. For contemporary and traditional worship leaders, the pressure is on. It may be a Continue reading
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This is My Story, This is My Song
Eight years ago, I raced down the hallway of the Biola University Conservatory and told a friend that I wanted to host a traditional worship chapel. My ever-patient and generous friends volunteered their voices and helped me borrow hymnals from the seminary (I think we had permission…?). We figured a few people who owed me Continue reading
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Be [Weeding Out] Sin or It Will Be [Weeding Out] You
![Be [Weeding Out] Sin or It Will Be [Weeding Out] You](https://ryannemolinari.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pexels-photo-189791.jpeg?w=1024)
In Iowa, you could watch the grass grow and not be (too) bored. My husband will mow our lawn, and if it rains even a little, the grass will spring up an inch by the following day. The same, unfortunately, is true of weeds. So. Many. Weeds. As my music work winds down for the Continue reading
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Preliminary Findings of the (Not So) Tortured Poets’ Department
Date: April 19, 2024Department: The Not-So-Tortured Poets’ DepartmentLocation: UndisclosedDocument Status: Declassified, for Immediate Release to the Public We of the Not-So-Tortured Poets’ Department have reviewed the evidence brought before the world at exactly 12:00 a.m. this morning by one Miss Taylor Swift. To put it simply, we are concerned, not merely for the plaintiff’s wellbeing, Continue reading
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I Was There – Lyrics for Passion Week
A few years ago, I wrote about one of my favorite Holy Week hymns: “Were You There.” Many of us sing this song annually but don’t stop to realize that it is a question we must answer. If we are in Christ, we were there. Rather than restating myself, I encourage you to visit my Continue reading
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Three Ways Musical Roots Teach Us About Love
I am always amazed by how music—even music theory—images certain theological concepts. Enjoy! 1. The Root Provides Identity In music theory, the “root” is the note by which a scale or chord is named (C is the root of a C major scale, and so on). It is the foundational pitch that gives the scale Continue reading
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Marriage and Music: Reflecting on Our Wedding Music Two Years Later
Yesterday was my second wedding anniversary, and I’ve been planning this post since July 9th, 2021. As a musician, I was naturally passionate about selecting just the right music for my wedding ceremony. To my dismay, wedding music seems to be something of an afterthought for non-musicians, but it matters so deeply! A wedding is, Continue reading
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Life’s Liturgy: “Wir danken dir, Gott”
Isn’t it interesting how certain pieces of music grip us and follow us throughout our lives? As a lover of liturgy, I welcome these key songs, letting them bookend chapters of my life. They are a testimony to the great Composer who is orchestrating all things for my good and his glory. The main piece Continue reading
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Every Careless Note
Whenever I receive new music, I review the lyrics of the selected songs. Recently, I had to turn down a gig because it would have required me to perform pieces from The Book of Mormon. I am not Mormon and have strong disagreements with much of the Latter Day Saints doctrine; however, many of my Continue reading
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Preaching as the Choir
*The following is a paper written as part of my master’s coursework. The research and thought that generated this paper have had a profound impact on my thinking in regards to worship, and I return to these sources and ideas frequently. In the post-Christian age, sacred choral music remains “a significant part of many people’s Continue reading
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Publication – The Silent Carol
Recently, I had the joy of writing on my favorite carol for Deus ex Musica, a fantastic publication and resource for musicians, ministers, and students. You can read my article and listen to some beautiful recordings at the link below: https://www.deus-ex-musica.com/blog/2021/12/10/the-silent-carol Continue reading
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