[rodgersorgan] Re: Commotion in the organ loft
- From: Kzimmer0817@xxxxxxx
- To: rodgersorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2003 16:21:30 -0400
Timothy,
I have a suggestion - even though I've not had to deal with the problem in
quite the same way. We Baptists aren't usually very reverent during preludes
or postludes, so many of us organists just get over it.
1. Postlude - Talking and leaving during the postlude has been debated on this
list (I think) as well as the pipe organ list. I have mixed feelings about it.
Nevertheless, I would suggest trying to have chairs arranged such that the
choir can move about without having to slide chairs around. I would stress to
the choir that they need to exit the loft quietly. I would have them begin
exiting as soon as the postlude begins, even if they have to leave their music
and you can enlist a young helper to gather up the music - perhaps in exchange
for some time at the organ console.
2. Prelude - I think it would be perfectly fine to stress to the choir (even
if the congregation cannot catch on) that, once in the sanctuary, they are
there to worship. They are not to talk or slide things around. They should
pretend that they are in the front of the church. How would they act if your
sanctuary had its choir and organ at the front behind the pastor? Perhaps they
should not even enter the loft until the last possible moment. If they sing
first, perhaps they could enter at the last moment, sing their piece before
either taking their seats or leading the congregation in singing. If something
needs to be placed into the chair, or any rearranging needs to be done, it
could be done during the congregational hymn when the sound might not be heard.
There's always the temptation, when you're sitting in a balcony at the rear of
the church, to feel like you're the peanut gallery - whether you're the choir,
part of the congregation, or some teenagers. It's easier to joke around, talk
or whisper, pass notes, or anything else save to pay attention.
Hope that helps.
Keith Zimmerman
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