Mennonites and Music
Music, the comfort of the soul, the way of sin to some, a sign of true worship to others.
Within the Mennonite family in Belize music to some degree is used or listened to, with each branch viewing it based on their understanding of the Bible.
The Kleine Gemeinde
Used to consider any musical instrument as wrong. But after acapella recorded music was approved, it introduced a need for tape recorders, then slowly over the years other instruments were approved. Church singing is still acapella, and radio and TV are still not accepted. However, instruments such as violins (which is often played by KG youth girls) and guitars are used during youth singing, community concerts, and personal entertainment or family singing. The organ is also used sometimes in such events.
The Beachy and Conservative Mennonites
Also sing acapella style during church services and other singing services. While musical instruments such as guitars and violins are not used, the tape recorder is allowed by most, and they are known for group singing, choir singing, solo singing, men's quartets, and trio singing, all unaccompanied by instruments. They, along with the Holdemans and the Kleine Gemeinde, are skilled at notes. Listening to all these recordings is their type of music. This doesn't mean they shun musical instruments. Some of these congregations operate independently of each other so based on the standards of each congregation, which instrument to use is left to personal conviction.
The Holdeman Mennonites
Shun all types of musical instruments, nor do they permit recording of their singing. If you do find any video or song by them online, it was uploaded by a nonmember, a casual member, or a family member who attends their services. Although they forbid musical instruments, it doesn't mean they can't sing. In fact, a 12 year old boy who is the son of Holdeman parents will know more about quarter notes, full stops, blowing a pitch, how to sing tenor and bass, than most other boys his age. Their singing is a typical 4 part acapella style and sounds amazing when everyone carries the tune perfectly on time. They hold firmly to the belief that instruments were part of the Old Testament and that any music of New Testament times must be considered to be in hymns without the use of instruments. Choir singing is done only in special services, the other favorite singings enjoyed by them is by the youth groups and family singing.
Old Order Mennonites
Again, acapella singing, no instruments at church or at home, and less attention to the notes than the 3 groups mentioned above. However, they do sing in four part harmony much better than their Old Colony counterparts in northern Belize.
Old Colony Mennonites
Of northern Belize hold the strictest view of music yet. Singing is done only at church, all slow chant songs, and no melody. Hence the beauty of Mennonite singing might not leave much of an impression on you if you were to listen only to them. But........ many of the videos on Youtube will reveal these type of Mennonites dancing to "wordly" music, and many of the young men and women own radios and mobile devices as well as guitars.
Liberal (Non-traditional) Mennonites
Would include all Mennonites who have left the traditional churches and lean to or practice a Pentecostal kind of singing, there is no limit to the styles and rythms of music accepted by them. A worship service at one of these churches might leave you soothed and peaceful one Sunday, or excited, hoarse and tired the next.
There are a few non traditional yet conservative Mennonites scattered here and there who disagree with the clashing and banging of drums in their liberal churches and have gone out looking either to join a quieter church or to start one themselves.
Within the Mennonite family in Belize music to some degree is used or listened to, with each branch viewing it based on their understanding of the Bible.
The Kleine Gemeinde
Used to consider any musical instrument as wrong. But after acapella recorded music was approved, it introduced a need for tape recorders, then slowly over the years other instruments were approved. Church singing is still acapella, and radio and TV are still not accepted. However, instruments such as violins (which is often played by KG youth girls) and guitars are used during youth singing, community concerts, and personal entertainment or family singing. The organ is also used sometimes in such events.
The Beachy and Conservative Mennonites
Also sing acapella style during church services and other singing services. While musical instruments such as guitars and violins are not used, the tape recorder is allowed by most, and they are known for group singing, choir singing, solo singing, men's quartets, and trio singing, all unaccompanied by instruments. They, along with the Holdemans and the Kleine Gemeinde, are skilled at notes. Listening to all these recordings is their type of music. This doesn't mean they shun musical instruments. Some of these congregations operate independently of each other so based on the standards of each congregation, which instrument to use is left to personal conviction.
The Holdeman Mennonites
Shun all types of musical instruments, nor do they permit recording of their singing. If you do find any video or song by them online, it was uploaded by a nonmember, a casual member, or a family member who attends their services. Although they forbid musical instruments, it doesn't mean they can't sing. In fact, a 12 year old boy who is the son of Holdeman parents will know more about quarter notes, full stops, blowing a pitch, how to sing tenor and bass, than most other boys his age. Their singing is a typical 4 part acapella style and sounds amazing when everyone carries the tune perfectly on time. They hold firmly to the belief that instruments were part of the Old Testament and that any music of New Testament times must be considered to be in hymns without the use of instruments. Choir singing is done only in special services, the other favorite singings enjoyed by them is by the youth groups and family singing.
Old Order Mennonites
Again, acapella singing, no instruments at church or at home, and less attention to the notes than the 3 groups mentioned above. However, they do sing in four part harmony much better than their Old Colony counterparts in northern Belize.
Old Colony Mennonites
Of northern Belize hold the strictest view of music yet. Singing is done only at church, all slow chant songs, and no melody. Hence the beauty of Mennonite singing might not leave much of an impression on you if you were to listen only to them. But........ many of the videos on Youtube will reveal these type of Mennonites dancing to "wordly" music, and many of the young men and women own radios and mobile devices as well as guitars.
Liberal (Non-traditional) Mennonites
Would include all Mennonites who have left the traditional churches and lean to or practice a Pentecostal kind of singing, there is no limit to the styles and rythms of music accepted by them. A worship service at one of these churches might leave you soothed and peaceful one Sunday, or excited, hoarse and tired the next.
There are a few non traditional yet conservative Mennonites scattered here and there who disagree with the clashing and banging of drums in their liberal churches and have gone out looking either to join a quieter church or to start one themselves.
