Hertingfordbury Parish News: May 2003

From the Organ Loft

Many years ago, I belonged to a choir (fortunately only briefly) where a strange sort of temperament existed. There was ill feeling regarding the use of soloists, and on one occasion when some of the gentlemen were criticised for poor attendance, they sulked and left the choir until someone begged them to return. Obviously the organist and choirmaster had only himself to blame for this attitude amongst his choristers.

When I left this choir to take up a post of organist at another church, I decided that I would try to be keenly aware of what was required of me both in musical and human terms. My point in telling the above story is to reinforce the idea that we do not sing in church to attract a congregation or to satisfy the whims of individual performers or listeners. No music has any place in the church service which is not primarily the best we can offer. Everybody may pay lip service to this ideal, but the fact is that there is great danger from time to time of losing true worship to our complacency, vanity or desire for our own pleasure.

Before commenting on choices in music, one notes that all parishioners attending church are there to worship, but also to be nourished by their diet of music. Not every member of the congregation wishes to join audibly in every detail of the service, since silent participation is possible and preferred by many.

A parish church, however, exists for corporate worship and it is the duty of the organist not to hamper this. This is where the organist has to be very clear in his own mind regarding the functions of the choir and congregation. These functions are broadly identical and defined as 'active participation' in the service as directed by our prayer books.

M.H. - Pulsator Organorum

Please note: Although the Hertingfordbury Parish News is produced by St. Mary's PCC, the opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the PCC.