Posted on 08/09/2005 7:48:38 AM PDT by sionnsar
I must confess that one of the things that worries me about the future of traditional Anglicanism is the ability to find organists to play our services. There is a shortage of organists in general, and the few out there who are well-trained and have some gusto and vision would probably chose to play in a huge downtown parish with a massive pipe organ rather than a small continuing parish that has an electronic organ. That leaves us with the grannies, or perhaps a convert from evangelicalism who would not, on principle, work at a mainline parish.
But then, in all cases, there is the problem of the organist not knowing Anglican music or liturgy. In other words, they have no idea how to make a nice "Choral Evensong" service; they have never heard of Anglican Chant before; and they do not know any mass setting other than Willan's.
Are there any new "Healy Willans" out there among our ranks? Are there any men (or women) who are committed to preserving the tradition of Anglican music and passing it on to the next generation? I think that the parish is the birthplace of organist vocations (just as it is for priestly vocations). Do any of our organists - even if they are lame - take pupils and try to pass on their trade? It seems to me this is something that must be addressed!
ping
My grandmother was the organist for her church from the time she was twelve years old. Her methodist church betrayed her and tossed her aside like trash.
She stopped attending church a few years ago. As she says it's not a Christan church anymore. These days the concentration is on saving the forests, stopping the war and preventing gun violence.
Ack! I'd be gone in a flash.
The music is the least of the Anglican worries. After Christian doctrine has been tossed on the rubbish heap, the type of musical accompaniment on the road to Hell is immaterial.
I will simply note that this was written by a member of a Continuing church.
This knowledge of the piano seems to be the problem. Desire to learn it is dying out. As a male, most of my colleagues think it is a predominately female instrument- it lacks appeal to the masculine side of things. And my female colleagues are choosing focuses in violin or flute- with no background in piano. I think learning the piano first is infinitesimally valuable in the pursuit of other instruments.
Parents have a large part in this, I believe. I wasn't given the option of whether I wanted to play or not. I didn't like it at first, but eventually, when given the choice, I took piano because I grew to enjoy it. My mom's friend requires her children to take piano lessons until they move out of her house. If you have qualms about a lack of musicians, breed your own.
This knowledge of the piano seems to be the problem. Desire to learn it is dying out. As a male, most of my colleagues think it is a predominately female instrument- it lacks appeal to the masculine side of things. And my female colleagues are choosing focuses in violin or flute- with no background in piano. I think learning the piano first is infinitesimally valuable in the pursuit of other instruments.
Parents have a large part in this, I believe. I wasn't given the option of whether I wanted to play or not. I didn't like it at first, but eventually, when given the choice, I took piano because I grew to enjoy it. My mom's friend requires her children to take piano lessons until they move out of her house. If you have qualms about a lack of musicians, breed your own.
Hey I'm sure those among those homosexuals that the ECUSA has been working so hard to accommodate there are lots of folks with plenty of experience with organs.
Grrrr.... dreaded double post.... my apologies Sionsar...
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