[rodgersorganusers] Invisible Organist

Charles Scramm wrote to me recently:

Noel,
I think you are treading on dangerous ground with this and are
opening up Pandora's box.
While you seem to be taking a cautious approach, I believe that
it still sets a dangerous precedent. There's nothing wrong with
doing without organ music (pre, post or within the service.)
After all, that is done by a number of denominations during Advent
and Lent. I would also add that unison or a cappella part singing
by the congregation can be a very moving experience for those involved.
Anyway, that's my unasked for two cents worth. I wonder how others
on the list feel about it.
Best regards to you and the list from an unseasonal warm, rainy
Maine.
Charles Schramm
retired church musician (after 47+ years)

Charles,

Thank you for your thoughts and comments.

I feel that offering MIDI disks that play the organ are only a stop-gap 
measure...a fill-in for the organist who may have to be absent, has his 
or her hands full, or for a church that has an organ but cannot find an 
organist.

There is so much more to being a church organist that just playing the 
notes, as we all know. We have all experienced the stress of sitting 
while a sound engineer totally screws up a service flow by playing the 
wrong music track or the singer getting off and never recovering.

We, however, can quickly overcome and adjust...someone running a sound 
system or a midi player can't.

Many times the automatic playing of an instrument keeps the sound of the 
instrument in the air..and encourages the finding of a real person to play.

I think the absence of organ can be very effective too...I make sure 
that the organ is silent frequently...during hymns and times when one 
may play traveling music..sometimes I do and don't.

The pastor and I have an understanding..sometimes I begin to play during 
prayer and sometimes I don't...depending on the day and the situation.

I have not yet begun to play during the sermon....though this young 
white  Southern Baptist preacher attended a Black Baptist church 
throughout college (Carson -Newman) and has mentioned a time or two that 
  he likes an organist who can punch up a sermon!

I have had the opportunity to play a B-3 for a Black Gospel service, 
including the sermon (when the pastor got up from the piano and said he 
was going to preach he said, "now you go on and play")...and I did a 
very poor job - filling in for an associate who had been felled by 
kidney disease.

Anyhow, I have wandered off the subject.

I share your concerns, Charles.

noel jones



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