Music Notes: October 12, 2025
by Chad Pittman, Music Ministry Leader
Interlude…or Intermission?
Several folks have asked me about the interludes that I sometimes play between verses of hymns/songs:
“It sounds nice, but it confuses me.”
“Don’t they add more time to the service?”
“Why do you do it?”
The range of possibilities in church music is incredibly expansive, and the styles of musicians and congregations are as many as the number of churches in the world. Choices, styles, and interpretations stem from educational and ethnic backgrounds, previous experiences, congregation personality, clergy preferences, location, denomination, and many other factors.
I believe that music is a potent tool that, in its various forms in worship, should help the congregation feel the very presence of God. Feeling the music in one’s body through singing is perhaps the most intimate way; listening to a meaningful music offering as a listener is certainly beneficial; and making music with a special group during services and weekday rehearsals adds a layer of dedication and devotion.
First and foremost, hymn/song interludes contribute to the mood and meaning of the music. They provide the singers a chance to reflect on the words they have just sung and prepare for those to come. The interlude should be in a style (dynamics, length, articulation) that matches the meaning of the words. Second, interludes provide worshipers a chance to catch their breath. Singing many verses of a hymn or song can be exhausting; the primary fuel for our voices — singing and talking — is air, so giving worshipers a chance to refresh and catch their breath is critical. Finally, interludes sometimes provide leaders in worship the opportunity to complete tasks and prepare for upcoming liturgical elements, such as communion or books/song sheets, or allow participants to move into place.
The next time you hear a hymn/song interlude in worship, I invite you to ask yourself what you hear that makes the music sound like the text and why it may be happening. Think of it as an intermission — a chance for you to think on what you have just experienced and an opportunity to catch your breath.