Leader Responsibility

Primary Music Leader Responsibilities

from Handbook 2: Administering the Church

Under the direction of the Primary presidency, Primary music leaders and pianists have the following responsibilities:

• They plan, teach, and direct the music for sharing time, including songs that will be part of the children’s sacrament meeting presentation.
•  They help with music for the nursery class and other Primary classes as requested.
• They may organize and direct a children’s choir as requested.
• Members of the Primary presidency help the ward Primary music leaders and pianists understand how music contributes to Primary. The melodies, words, and messages of Primary songs can teach children the doctrines of the gospel and stay in their hearts throughout their lives.
•  Music in Primary should invite reverence, teach the gospel, and help children feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and the joy that comes through singing. While the children sing some songs, music leaders give them opportunities to move physically and stretch appropriately.
• The Children’s Songbook and the current sharing time outline are the basic resources for music in Primary. Hymns from the hymnbook and songs from the Friend and Liahona are also appropriate. Occasionally children may sing patriotic or holiday songs that are suitable for Sunday and for the children’s ages. The use of any other music in Primary must be approved by the bishopric.
• For information about teaching music to children, see the Children’s Songbook, pages 300–304. See also chapter 14 in the handbook, the current outline for sharing time, and “Music Callings and Resources” in the Serving in the Church section of LDS.org.