They are called Beyond Jordan, and they were beyond belief! These three young women who have been singing together for four years have an incredible sound and style. As I listened to them Sunday evening, and marveled at what I was hearing, I realized that mixed into their music was three important ingredients: Unison, Harmony, and Dissonance. Their music is all done acappella, with only the soft sound of a pitchpipe to get them started on the right key.
The unison singing was amazing! They sounded like a single voice. They were perfectly in tune with each other. The trio would then add a harmonic voice to give the sound of a duet, followed by the third voice with three-part harmony, beautifully blended. At times the harmony would be replaced by a dissonant sound; notes so close to each other, and yet not the same. Then, the dissonance would fade into harmony once again.
I realized after thinking about what I had heard they had given us a message about life and how it can and should be. Church life, family life, couple life.. Sometimes we are in unison. Everyone in perfect tune with each other. After awhile we realize more is needed, so different notes are heard.They are in tune but not alike. Harmony is a good and enjoyable quality. Dissonant sounds appear. Our harmony is gone. Dissonance can be good and healthy when held in check. It can be disasterous when it becomes harsh and grating with no resolve coming. It is okay to have those times of dissonance, but they should always have plans to be resolved. When resolve comes and harmony or unison occurs once again, it is a wonderful feeling. Unison, harmony, dissonance; they can all go together and still produce a sweet song, but you gotta' keep singing.
