Thanks for the all your friendly responses.

Kaleea, re ion" "I have often noticed that folks tend to sing hymns with not nearly as much gusto as if they were singing a shopping list."

I think that lack of models may have a lot to do with this. Where on the airwaves would we hear a restrained and old-fashioned hymn sung right?

I didn't mention that this was a Catholic church. Since the 1970's, Catholic churches have been given a large amount of new songs, songs of many types. In my years with this choir, I have sung songs that sound like pop music, ethnic music, Taize music and chant. One of the first things we have to do with a new song is figure out what kind of song that composer had in mind - how to bring it alive.

David I: I agree with your remarks about synchronicity and sympathy. I was happy when I saw my fellow choir members assuming alert expressions and joining me in the new approach to the song.

In another context (the annual ice cream social) my husband told me about the military concept of "small unit pride." He said it is a very powerful thing. I think that with the singing of Isaiah 49 we had a case of Small Unit Pride going.