brownsquared

Going to preface that I have zero musical abilities or background - but I've always wondered this:

In church when we sing hymns, they're always some lady up front waving her arms, presumably conducting, except I have no idea how to 'read' her, and I'm not sure the organ player even looks at her, so I'm not sure she's really leading anyone? Is she necessary by any degree? Am I the only one who has no idea?

Obviously in a fancy orchestra with many many parts, it's very good to have a conductor keeping everyone together and such. Or even in a church choir when you're putting together different voices and pieces.

When the entire congregation sings a simple hymn during regular Sunday services however? Not in a performance capacity or anything like that. Is a conductor necessary?

Definitely not hurting! No, didn’t mean it like that sorry. I just wondered if she was there more for tradition or if she was actually resulting in anything