A Word About Applause
This is a question that cycles around again and again:
When is it appropriate to applaud the music in a worship service?
At UUCV applause is becoming more routine. Some people do wave their hands in the American Sign Language sign for applause (though others also find that distracting). Applause is problematic when it becomes routine as for most performances and is not an authentic response to the music itself.
Music in worship is not a performance, it is a spiritual offering, a meditation, a gift of holy sound. For some it feels awkward not to applaud. Yet for others applause intrudes jarringly into a meditative experience.
There is yet another layer of cultural expectations in this discussion. An expectation of silence comes, at least in part, from a Eurocentric Western ethos. In many cultures, music in worship is almost a conversation between musician and congregation, a shared holy experience. This is a consideration for us as we speak of being a community welcoming of many cultures, races and backgrounds.
There is no right or wrong here, no hard and fast rule. Here are a few things to consider.
Often the most appropriate response to music is a hushed, reverent silence, especially if it is quiet and tender.
Remember for some, applause after music that is heart-rendingly beautiful can be a shock to the system.
Alternatives include:
- Smiling gratefully at the musicians,
- Clasping your hands over your hearts,
- Thanking the musicians after the service.
Please do applaud when a piece of music is so uplifting and inspiring, it joyously carries your energy up and out your hands before you think about it.
Remember that for some, a dead silence after music is played can feel oppressive and constrained.
When we have musicians singing a familiar folk or rock song, or the choir sings a rollicking, foot-stomping gospel number, the impulse to applaud is wonderfully spontaneous.
Sometimes it is completely appropriate to:
- Sing along,
- Clap in time (though try to clap on beats 2 and 4, not 1 and 3),
- Call out a joyous answer to a question the lyrics pose.
Applause is worse when it is polite and perfunctory.
When in doubt, you can follow the lead of the Music Director or the Minister.
There is no clear bright line about when to applaud or not. (We can almost rest assured that our favorite response to music will drive someone else crazy.)
This is one of the places we may need to be uncomfortable some of the time as we work at embracing a wider realm of human and cultural expression.
It is an area to practice kindness and curiosity with one another.
Loving the conversation and all of you,
Rev. Dana