Invitation to all organ and piano players for a “workshop” (hosted by Frank Ezinga) about accompaniment (organ or piano).

You are most welcome to bring forward your own subject to discuss. Suggestions: piano accompaniment in general; how to get the singing going if it starts too slow in the morning service; what if you have no prelude for the collection; improvisation ideas; learning new pieces; why does the congregation come in toolate at the beginning of a song; how to be appropriately sensitive to the text in accompaniment; playing pedal on the organ; how to decide which stops to use on the organ; suitablepre-service music; how to play Psalms vs Hymns.

Please bring some music of a Psalm or Hymn to play. You could take the opportunity to get a “free music lesson” and request feedback on your playing of a piece of music. Or, as a pianist, you could try out the organ while receiving some instructions.

This workshop is open for anyone, not only people that play in the church services. And if you would like to find out what it would take to play in church, this workshop will help you. We’ll start at 7:30 PM and plan to finish by 9:30 PM. Location: Langley Church. Please call 604 514 9414 or contact me via email to sign up or for more information. (No costs.)

This is not unique - this is done more often (see the pictures), however we should do this more often!

Yesterday's concert was a success. The church was full, downstairs and upstairs. We estimated 300-350 people. Because it was mentioned in the newspaper, there were many people from the community. An elderly member of our church commented, surprised: "There are so many of my neighbours here, I am wondering how they knew...".

The choir sang well. Robert Gelderman was our soloist and he did a great job. He did sing all of the bass solo parts, and many of the tenor solo parts as well. Duets for bass and tenor we obviously skipped.

The choir performed well. There are always parts where we could have done a better job, but we were looking at the perfomance in total. As one person commented after the program: "This was a drama in music". We wanted the audience to be part of the program and take them through the story of Good Friday that was expressed in the music.

The choir enjoyed the performance as well, and points we addressed so many times in the rehearsals were done well during the performance! We had a good plan for the rehearsals, and there was commitment and dedication from the choir members, which made a huge difference.

We are now continuing until the end of May with some relaxed music for a fun performance on June 8. Anyone who would like to join us, even for a few weeks: we practice on Monday nights (7:30-9:15 PM) in Langley church.

Should the church support education to gain/increase skills
required to accompany the congregational singing in the worship services?

In a Consistory meeting report of one of our neighboring congregations we read that the consistory decided not to assist (support) a student in receiving organ lessons.

Many things were not mentioned in the report, but we assume:

• that these organ lessons were with the purpose to play in church serving the congregation with accompaniment of the singing;
• that financial support was requested and that there is a need.

 What is an organ student talking about? I can come up with some numbers:

40 weeks or organ lessosn x $ 40.00 = $ 1,600 per year

You would need at least four years of dedicated study = $ 6,400

You need to buy music books (150 per year) = $ 600

Total in four years $ 7,000

Assuming the organ student does not travel and gets all lessons at home.

(If the student needs an organ at home, this will cost at least $ 4,000. If the student has to use the churches organ (assuming it is available) there are travel expenses.)

The reason for the consistories rejection was given: “…so many members give freely of their time in so many different ways…”. This argument addresses the donation of time, not expense of organ lessons or the reimbursement thereof. There seems to be some misalignment between the request (assist in organ lessons) and the response (donation of time).

It puzzles me that this same consistory rejects a request for assistance, but encourages aspiring organists to become skilled and use their talents in the same sentence!

There is a possibility that this response is meant for an organ teacher (assuming a member of that church), and suggests that the organ teacher should donate time to teach this organ student for free.

Being left with a lot of questions, there is a theme: Should a church reimburse their aspiring organists for their lessons and sheet music?

Two comments are heard often in our churches.

1. There are many positions that are “labour of love”, i.e. people are not paid or reimbursed for their expenses. There is no difference between an organist and any other volunteer-functions in the church, such as elders, deacons, ushers, secretaries, custodians, greeters, parking lot patrol, etc.
   
   
2. The organists are an “endangered species”: they are harder to find, nobody takes lessons, teachers are hard to find, and there is no interest in playing organs as before.

The first comment makes you believe that organists are comparable with ushers, greeters, parking lot patrol, etc. But… there is an oversight here. The skills required to be a greeter or an usher, or patrol the parking lot are easier acquired than skills to play a musical instrument. There is daily practice to become proficient in skills to play an instrument for several years, while for many of these other types of tasks in the church the required skills can be learned much, much quicker.

Maybe this would be a good test.

1. Appoint someone who has never been on any committee in the church as a member of a committee, and see how long it takes that this person can fully participate in the committee’s activities.

2. Appoint someone who has never played an instrument as an organist or pianist and ask him or her to play in church as soon as possible.

I am convinced that there is a difference between accompanying the congregational singing and other volunteer functions in the church.

The second comment indicates that it is increasingly difficult to get people to play organ. That has to do with society and the culture of today. Dedication, persistence and patience is not so common in today’s world where everything has to be done and obtained right here and now. Playing a musical instrument and studying several years does not fit in today’s culture.

That means that the people that want to take music and church serous and study to become skilled organists and pianists to accompany the congregational singing need encouragement, support and assistance where possible.

People that aspire to become church organists (and pianists) should not be left hanging with an encouragement: we should encourage them, assist and support them in achieving their goal of serving God and the congregation with their talents on the organ bench and/or the piano bench!

Test your knowledge...

What describes a church organist best?

a.)    A person that produces a sound on the organ that most of the congregation can sing with, in one way or another.

b.)    A person that knows about how to operate the machine, called organ, in the church.

c.)    A person who is a servant and leader, who is familiar with the history of the congregational song through scripture and church history, who is skilled and trained in playing the organ, and who understands and has feeling for the congregational singing, allowing him/her to Make-The-Congregation-Sing!

d.)    A person that has a good feeling the congregational singing and can accompany the singing decently.

What does an organist need the most?

a.)    A positive comment from the congregation about their playing, no matter how good or bad they play(ed).

b.)    Nothing - once they know everything they need to know.

c.)    Organ lessons to address their slow and painful playing and to get some fire in their belly.

d.)    Ongoing study, regular training, new music books, interaction with colleagues, music CD to listen; attend concerts and recitals to hear colleagues, other congregations and choirs.

What does an organist need to spend money on?

a.)    They don’t need any money.

b.)    New, original sheet music; proper organ shoes; courses and lessons; books about music and organs; memberships; examinations; travelling to venues where they can learn more and new things, admissions to music events, etc.

c.)    Lunch meetings with other organists.

d.)    Photocopies for illegal copies of sheet music.

Where does an organist purchase sheet music for Genevan tunes that they know they can use in church?

a.)    At the Long & McQuade music stores, in the organ section

b.)    At the Blessings Christian Book store, at the music book section

c.)    It is difficult to purchase sheet music for Genevan tunes

d.)    Photocopy from one of the other organists in our churches

Why would someone become a church organist?

a.)    Because you can play pipe organs pretty much everywhere you go

b.)    It’s rewarding and a really cool thing to do – especially for young people!

c.)    Because you feel a calling to serve the church with your talents and gifts

d.)  Because the church people like what I am doing and I will keep on doing what they like.

Which is most accurate?

a.)    Car repair: $ 15/hr; Lawyer: $ 75/hr; Accountant $ 10/hr; Organ Lesson $ 10/hr

b.)    Car repair: $ 50/hr; Lawyer: $ 175/hr; Accountant $ 25/hr; Organ Lesson $ 15/hr

c.)    Car repair: $ 65/hr; Lawyer: $ 225/hr; Accountant $ 50/hr; Organ Lesson $ 25/hr

d.)    Car repair: $ 75+/hr; Lawyer: $ 350+/hr; Accountant $ 75+/hr; Organ Lesson $ 40+/hr

How much (time) does it take to become a church organist?

a.)    Daily practice, ongoing dedication, interest and study of Scripture, faith, church, church history, church music, singing, and the instrument you play.

b.)    The time it takes to ask consistory - they will be happy to let you play as long as you think you can do it.

c.)    Take music lessons and take an exam at the music school.

d.)    Not much – pretty much anyone can be asked to do it, just like almost anyone can be asked to be part of a committee in church.  

What satisfies a church organist?

a.)    To be seen by everyone and play an important role in the church.

b.)    To use all stops of the organ every Sunday.

c.)    To have knowledge about how to accompany the singing.

d.)    To serve the congregation and experience the effectiveness of the preludes and accompaniment in the singing.

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Disclaimer: If you cannot identify with the topics in this quiz - they simply don't make sense: you are probably not (Canadian) reformed.

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This morning pastor Schouten (Aldergrove) preached about Romans 8. He mentioned the fact that at some times we can't find the words, we don't know what to say, we're overwelmed by our emotions. That was a reality for some of our members in the week past. Many of us have had that same experience.

Part of our service was the singing of Psalm 102. In the preparation for the service I wanted to understand more about this Psalm. In the bible it says: "A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.".

The Psalm starts with "Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you." The pastor linked Romans 8 "We know that the whole creation has been groaning" (vs 8)... to Psalm 102 "Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones.". He said that the church is groaning in between the fall in sin (Genesis) and the Second Coming of the Lord - groaning together with the church of all ages.

The pastor explained that this Psalm might sound somber and rather 'down', but we're singing Psalms not for ourselves. Personally we might have had great week and feel great, but in the worship services we sing together with the church, with the church of all times and all places, with the church of all ages, but also with our church community, the communion of saints. Together, as church of Jesus Christ, we are groaning. And together we are singing about this... Today it was with the words and melody of Psalm 102.

This prayer ended beautiful. We sang about the our great future and Gods promises with the two last stanzas of this Psalm:

Mighty God of all creation,
You have laid the earth’s foundation,
And You framed the vast extent
Of the spacious firmament.
But they both will fall and tumble;
What may seem secure will crumble.
Like a garment one may cherish,
So will they wear out and perish.

Like a cloak, Your whole creation,
From the skies to earth’s foundation,
Will be changed and cast aside,
But You evermore abide.
LORD, the children of Your servants,
All the line of their descendants,
Will in safety dwell before You,
For Your steadfast love adore You.
(c) STCB 2008

Aside from the key message of the sermon: only in singing one Psalm - What a promises! What a comfort!

Wishing you blessed week!

Usually and unusual combination in North America, this worked really well in Langley last week!

Andre Knevel (www.andreknevel.com) and Liselitte Rokyta (http://www.liselotterokyta.com) toured through the Netherlands, then from Western Canada to Eastern Canada, and the North East USA.

Originally our church was not part of their schedule, but a last minute change in venues made them visist Langley as well. The local newspapers published this event and we had approx. 400-450 people enjoying the show.

Liselotte walked through the church while she was playing and both performers explained about the music and instruments througout the program. We enjoyed their performances and it was great to hear how they used our organ in this somewhat different setting.

Funeral tomorrow

Pastor Visscher about Heidelberg Cathechism LD 10 in light of this tragedy

1
Out of the depths of sadness,
O LORD, I cried to Thee;
Thou who canst fill with gladness,
Lend now Thy ear to me.
Fount consolation,
Attend unto my cry;
Hear Thou my supplication
And to my help draw nigh.

2
If, showing no compassion,
Thou shouldst our sins record
And mark all our transgressions,
Who then could stand, O LORD?
But Thou dost pardon fully
All our iniquity,
That we may serve Thee truly
And fear Thy majesty.

3
I wait for God to hide me;
My soul, with longing stirred,
Shall hope, what e’er betide me,
In His unfailing word.
For Thee, LORD, I am yearn-ing
With more intense desire
Than watchers for the morning
To dawn of day aspire.

4
Hope in the LORD, O nation!
With Him is steadfast love;
His plenteous salvation
He’ll send you from above.
He will redeem His people,
His chosen Israel,
From all their sin and evil,
That they His praise may tell.

PSALM 130
Strasbourg, 1539/Geneva, 1551

(Singing by the Fraser Valley Young Adults Choir - November 2008)

 Last Saturday we had our CD presentation evening. Part of the evening was an introduction of John Calvin. Before the evening started I prepared some quotes from John Calvin to display on the wall.

Saturday Evening, March 14 at 7:30 P.M. we are organizing a CD Presentation Evening. The evening will feature some of the same songs as on the CD, including 4-part harmony singing of the Young Adults Choir, and organ preludes.

The goal is to provide a good sampling of what can be heard on the CD.

The CD's are available that evening for 15 dollars.

You can listen online to parts of the tracks here.