School Graduation Masses

[musicus]

Not at all, Nick. I was admiring your restraint.

[Nick Baty]

You are the first person ever to have combined my name and restraint in one sentence without use of a negative. The day I am known for restraint is the day I give up. This is far too important. Would that all had the wisdom of Musicus.

[Hare]

Sorry, Musicus. My fault for responding to criticism of our first city and it's people.
I should get on with helping create music for the litugy and ignore the crap.

My apologies too - but Nick, please see my original post: I was born in Sefton General Hospital.

Also, no criricism was intended - merely an observation based upon a bee in my bonnet, namely the sidelining of the organ in many churches, for many and varied reasons.

[Hare]

Would that all had the wisdom of Musicus.

Inference duly noted

[Nick Baty]

My apologies too

None needed.

but Nick, please see my original post: I was born in Sefton General Hospital.

We have never legislated on who may or my not be born in our hospitals. Sefton General is now the site of my favourite Asda.

Also, no criricism was intended - merely an observation based upon a bee in my bonnet, namely the sidelining of the organ in many churches, for many and varied reasons.

The greatest reason being the lack or organists – find me a couple and I could direct each of them to a dozen churches who would grab them. Another is the impractial positioning of the organ in many of our larger churches – and some of them round here are of barn-like proportions!

[musicus]

Back to the topic everyone, please, and play nice!

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psalm 133)

Thank you for playing nice. Now, back to the topic!

[contrabordun]

The greatest reason being the lack or organists

Yes, but there's a chicken to this egg. What came first, the sidelining or the dearth?

[musicus]

No more off-topic posts, please. This is the third time of asking!

You are very welcome to start a fresh topic if you want to discuss something different. There are good reasons why this and every other forum deprecate OT postings: for one, they can make it very difficult to go back and find anything; also, for another, matters all too often get out of hand.

Thank you.

[HelenR]

No more off-topic posts, please. This is the third time of asking!

Thank you for this cos I thought of more to add

Open my eyes Lord Jesse Manibusan
Make me Holy - Aaron Thomson
You are mine - David Haas

I totally take on board the points about making an occasion special with great organ playing but that will only make it an occasion if you like organ music. I do like it now and one of my fondest memories of summer school was hearing the abbey filled with great music after our masses.

However at 17, I went to a youth gather at the Albert Hall, my best friend was playing the Henry Wood organ that day, but my greatest memory was singing Shine Jesus Shine for the first time. Everything else went over my head. And as a child the only time, I appreciated the organ was when I heard it playing God's Spirit is in my heart" and it sounded like a fairground.( I have grown out of it now Honest )

I was exposed to great Church music in my youth, but never valued it and never even really appreciated my faith until it was made accessible when I was a student and introduced to the liturgy by the Franciscans at Canterbury and the music of the SLJs.

I don't know who is right or wrong it what is good or bad music, all I know is what I like and what inspires me and I guess that goes for us all really
Helen

[Hare]

I totally take on board the points about making an occasion special with great organ playing but that will only make it an occasion if you like organ music.
Helen

But please don't anyone fall into the trap of not using certain types of music "in case someone doesn't like it". I have been told "children don't like organ music" but never, strangely, by any children, who are usually fascinated. More often it comes from parents looking for excuses not to have to bother coming.

[SOP]

Dignity and respect should be on display by everyone as young people will pick up on the atmosphere. If musicians are running round, talking, fussing over music/music stands/being bossy it will detract from the occasion. The way the organist is throughout when not actually playing will also leave an impression so if he/she sits there cutting fingernails whilst someone does something boring, like not music related, that will be picked up and make an impression.

I would love to hear how the Mass(es) go and hope this thread has not put off anyone.

[HelenR]

I just wondered how this went and what ideas were used. Any chance of an update?
Helen

[Psalm Project]

Helen
I passed on all the information volunteered on this thread - added a few bits of my own as well - even passed on some music copies (which I did not get back!).
As I was not directly involved, I do not know how it went ultimately.
And... like all things we do... sometimes those who seek help and guidance evaporate after the event!
Thanks to all for input!

[gwyn]

like all things we do... sometimes those who seek help and guidance evaporate after the event!

So true.