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Landy Gardner was the choir director at my church, Christ Church Nashville, for almost forty years. He was a musical genius. He didn’t personally excel at reading music, arranging, or singing. He neither played a musical instrument. But Landy knew what beautiful, heavenly music sounded like. He knew how to pull people together to get that amazing sound. He was gifted in that manner like no one I’ve ever known.
His excellence and leadership led us to places around America and even the world. We sang at music conferences, the CMA and Dove awards. We took four mission trips to Ukraine where we sang every concert in the Ukrainian language. Every Sunday morning, we filled the house with praise at Christ church Nashville. We held concerts where the choir would pack out the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Sometimes, the concerts there or at the church would be filled for two or three nights in a row.
The excellent music produced by Landy, and the choir drew thousands. Those of us who had the discipline and commitment to be in Landy’s choir loved the experience. Producing such wonderful music brought immense satisfaction. While in the choir loft, there was no place on earth I’d rather be than right there.
After 25 years God called me to another church. Ironically, it was the same time that Landy’s assignment at Christ Church ended. He moved to another church in the city.
Gone too soon
Cancer took Landy’s life way too early. At his memorial service the choir loft was filled with hundreds of choir members from near and far. It had been years since many of us had sung together. We sang the songs he arranged exactly the way he had taught us. The Holy Spirit visited us that day and anointed our voices exactly how Landy would have wanted. Oh, to live a life so great! Even the Holy Spirit Himself comes to honor you at your funeral in such an incredible way!
Landy’s secret
Landy was a natural, vibrant leader. He loved God. He would settle for nothing less than excellence in everything he touched. He was not only one of the best choir directors in the world. He was also one of Nashville’s finest interior designers. His beautiful rooms were often displayed in the most prestigious design magazines.
What was the secret to the incredible music Landy pulled from a choir of ordinary people? What made it incredibly beautiful and awe inspiring? Why did the music move people the way it did? It always brought both singers and audiences to the throne of God in worship to Him.
The secret was that Human excellence wasn’t good enough for Landy. While He taught us to work hard to learn the beautifully arranged music. We practiced every song until it became second nature to us. We perfected each and every note, pitch, and tone and anything else Landy thought of to make it great. When he felt it was as good as possible, he would say, “Now give it to God.” He would ask for the Holy Spirit’s blessing on it. That is what would turn the water into wine and bring heaven down to earth. We were singing effortlessly because we knew the material so well. We then just worshiped and sought God’s anointing. And it never failed!
It’s a valuable lesson I long to take with me into every other area of my life. Always be as excellent as possible in my endeavors, but don’t stop there. Ask God to bless my effort and take it to a level beyond what is humanly possible.
It’s a lesson we can all learn whether in music, art, business, or anything in life.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. – Acts 1:8
You described Landy to a “T”! My husband and I were members at Christ Church for over 25 years and when he left Christ Church the music was never the same. Sure they still sang a lot of Landy’s music, but there was not that “extra touch” the choir had when Landy was director! Sadly the Choir has changed. There used to be so many choir members that it was barely enough seats to fit every seat. We left after a few years, but continued for years to go back to their Christmas Concerts for many years even after Landy’s death. We went to Landy’s Funeral which was held at Christ Church because of so many people attending the standing room only crowd. Landy left a “legacy” of hard work, dedication and his love for the Lord. RIP Landy! One day I can’ wait to see you again in Heaven!