The landscape of musical planning and composition has been deeply transformed by the incursion of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While the application of patterns, schemas, and templates is a time-honored practice, spanning back centuries, the integration of AI provides an exciting, modern twist. This article offers an experiential account of employing AI, particularly the free-to-use ChatGPT, as a complementary tool for music planning within the liturgical setting of a Methodist church. By interweaving ancient traditions of church music with contemporary technological advancements, this short article aims to explore the capabilities and boundaries of AI within the realm of religious music planning.

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence has intricately showed its influence across various industries, from the precision of medicine, the analytics of finance, to the vastness of the arts. And while I personally believe that the artistic mind will always belong to humanity, the music domain, celebrated for its historical depth and ever-evolving melodies, has also started resonating with the harmonies of AI. This juxtaposition of time-tested traditions and avant-garde technology prompts several questions: Can AI understand the spiritual and emotional gravitas of religious music? Can it capture the essence and purpose of a hymn or a sacred chant? And, most importantly, can it genuinely aid and enrich the process of music selection and composition within a place of worship?

While it might seem initially counterintuitive to bring algorithmic computations into spaces of faith and devotion, into something that will never concern an artificially intelligent machine like spirituality, the potential for AI to serve as a tool, rather than a replacement, is vast. Just as the church has adapted to the times -especially during the pandemic- by incorporating microphones, projectors, apps, and digital hymnals, AI can be viewed as the next step in this evolutionary journey.

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Methodology

Embracing the capabilities of OpenAI’s platform, I embarked on an intriguing journey to discover the realm of AI-assisted music planning tailored for a Methodist church setting. This exploration wasn’t just about selecting the music; it was about understanding the rich landscape of faith and community through the lens of technology.

In consideration of the unique nature of our congregation – with a small-sized choir accompanied often by a chimes ensemble – I fed the AI model specific parameters. This included the ensemble’s size, our frequency of performances and rehearsals, and special occasions that held significance in our liturgical calendar. More than just logistical details, I emphasized the spiritual mission of our church: a beacon for all, reaching out not only to those firm in their faith but also to individuals seeking spiritual guidance and inspiration without ties to a particular religious congregation.

The objective was multifaceted. On one hand, I sought to retrieve traditional, timeless pieces that have resonated with believers for generations. On the other, I aimed to uncover fresh, unconventional selections – those hidden gems that could breathe a new life into our liturgical performances. It was this combination of the old and the new, the known and the unexpected, that promised a rejuvenated musical journey for our congregation, all with the help of AI.

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Findings and Observations

To my amazement, the AI model not only offered an array of suggestions but also ventured into choices that one wouldn’t traditionally associate with a church setting. Yet, these suggestions bore undeniable musical richness. What was even more striking was the model’s capacity to articulate the rationale behind each selection, elaborating on its appropriateness within a worship context. For our chimes ensemble, the spectrum of AI suggestions spanned from time-honored pieces like “Pachelbel’s Canon in D” to modern-day resonances like “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Meanwhile, the choir encountered unique discoveries such as “Stars” by Ēriks Ešenvalds – a contemporary composition that harmoniously employs tuned water glasses, creating a heavenly soundscape.

But the AI’s offerings went beyond mere recommendations. Its true prowess was evident in its refreshing outlook. Drawing from expansive data and musical patterns, it could pinpoint selections that, while not commonly found in church music repositories, still echoed with spiritual depth and emotive resonance apt for a sacred ambiance. A significant advantage was the AI’s adaptability. By infusing additional parameters or updating the given information, I could refine the musical lineup. For instance, to align with the Pastor’s sermon themes, I could instruct the AI to tailor the selections accordingly.

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Challenges and Considerations

Integrating AI into church music planning was not devoid of challenges. While AI can provide numerous suggestions based on data, the human touch is irreplaceable in discerning the spiritual and emotional resonance of a piece with the congregation. The role of AI, in this context, was more of an enhancer and broadener of horizons rather than a complete replacement of human intuition, a free assistant who could free up time in a time consuming task like finding new and exciting pieces of music for the congregation I serve.

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Future Directions

The intersection of AI and church music planning offers an exciting glimpse into the future of ecclesiastical music. The blend of tradition with technology paves the way for a richer, more diverse musical landscape, where ancient hymns coexist harmoniously with fresh compositions and reinterpretations.

While the full potential of AI in church music remains to be thoroughly explored, this initial foray indicates a promising avenue for future collaboration. By striking a balance between AI’s analytical power and human intuition, religious music can enter a new era of innovation without forsaking its spiritual roots.

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The author acknowledges the congregation and Pastor’s openness to experimental approaches and innovations and is grateful for the myriad musical possibilities unveiled through this unique AI collaboration.