[rodgersorgan] Church music and the organ (Contemporary vs traditional)



Dear Rodgers Organ List Members,
This email has had to be re posted due to my Eudora mail program objecting 
to a rude word I inserted. Please note: The rude word was "Dykes" Now, with 
a mail program like this, who can ever be accused of posting anything that 
may offend!! LOL

I wrote a few days back.....

I haven't had so many e-mails in my in-box for months! So at least the 
subject is controversial enough (and therefore probably a serious issue) to 
produce some discussion.
I must follow through on my comments though, to clear up what seems to be 
misunderstanding, or at least some false impressions., lest I be type cast 
forever...
The organ a "Backing instrument"
I am not referring here to the many possibilities with MIDI or celestes or 
even tremmed flutes a la Gospel or Theatre style.. The organ can do a 
wonderful fill in and support role in these contexts.. In fact Rodgers does 
it better than any other breed I know. My reference in this context was the 
leading of a Hymn, In fact to the Tune Niceea.. The Hymn of course, "Holy 
Holy Holy" a most grand and God honouring piece of work, with one of those 
wonderful John Dykes tunes that just exude worship at every new chord.
The Organ is an instrument that plays (or should) the complete vocal 
harmony with the foundation on the bass Line clearly defined by the pedal. 
It is the Bass line that supports and leads the congregation, with the 
melody of course clearly defined by a suitably registered Principal Chorus 
topped by the ever vital Mixtures. This is the nature of a church 
organ.  But it is this wonderful ensemble of carefully structured choruses 
and balanced foundation that is simply not understood by most contemporary 
musicians. In fact, I have found in my work, that even a lot of organists 
don't understand the organ! They think it is an instrument that just drones 
away and as such is boring, boring boring, especially to a "beat 
intoxicated" youth. In fact, the absolute delight and joy that has come to 
many churches as I explain how to register the organ to "text paint" hymns 
and lead a congregation in exuberant singing is just wonderful.
In our church, the organ has been relegated to only playing hymns. The band 
takes care of everything else. In fact, for the organ to accompany the band 
has been frowned upon, as mixing the "old with the new"  though I have 
wanted to see a greater blend and the organ used as "backing" at times..
So the eventful day I refer to, the new band leader decided that the hymn 
needed drums and a distorted guitar to "fit in" with the direction the 
music is heading in the church. The "please don't play the pedals" was not 
a musical request so much, as a "oh I guess we still have to have the 
organ, but please don't interfere with what we are doing" At which point I 
realized that it wasn't REALLY wanted, and I bowed out. (You may wonder at 
the level of communication here alluded to.. That is another story)
The organ, so loved by a huge percentage of the congregation, has been 
sidelined in the ever advancing wave of heavy rock music in the church.
Why do we go that way? (Rock music?) Because it enhances worship? I do not 
think so. I believe it is happening because "everyone else is doing it" and 
we want to attract young people. What a sad thing.
Please, all reading this. You must understand I am not talking about a 
liturgical church rejecting the organ. I am talking about a Pentecostal 
church that has enjoyed the singing of great hymns led by grand classical 
organ, but is now changing course to embrace the new wave of heavy rock 
"worship". The organist in this context has never been a leader or a key 
musician. My role has been to seek to revisit the organ for the 
contemporary church, but unless the pastor of such a church has a passion 
for classical worship, then it is a lost cause.
My greatest heartache is to see a new generation of young people coming on 
the scene who never will know who Isaac Watts or Charles Wesley are / were, 
or wonder at the simple and sweet harmonies of John Dykes.. (You get my 
preferences here! LOL)
I ask again, what can we do to inspire and revisit the organ into these 
contexts? Maybe I bit off more than I could chew, when seeking to 
contribute  to a situation such as this.
My exhortation to all churches who do enjoy the organ as central to the 
music, TREASURE what you have, and work at making it the best it can be. 
Also seek to impart to all who will listen, that the organ IS NOT a band 
instrument. It is NOT just another (optional) sound. Explain the nature of 
the Principal and Flute Choruses and how they blend and enhance human 
voices raised in worship. Explain the Reeds and the Strings and the 
Celestes and "why does it have a Pedal Board..?".. and "what do you need 
all those keyboards for"?? Isn't one enough!!!?? and why cant this Casio 
keyboard do? "It has organ sounds" Duh!
What a precious heritage.
To be lost only through ignorance..
Cheers all.
Ralph.

Keith Wrote......

Ralph, and others,

I'd like to respectfully disagree with you wholeheartedly if you may allow.
I will preface this by saying that I love organ music - more specifically,
pipe organ music - but I will gladly take a fine electronic over a weak pipe
organ.  I miss the "serious" sounding music in which I was brought up.  I
regret the dumbing down of hymnbooks and church music in general (changing
sharps to flats, simplifying the SATB parts, the singing of 4 lines of music
repeatedly, etc.).

-

May all your bloopers be grace notes this hoiliday season! From the Staff at FMP

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