This is just prior to the 11am. Morning Service of Holy Communion at Zennor, for Palm Sunday. Some members of the congregation can be seen in the background chatting to the Priest. The ubiquitous face-masks are all in evidence, and unsurprisingly, hymn-singing is not allowed, which definitely puts a damper on things. So I have taken to providing an opening voluntary composed of all the seasonal hymns from which in normal circumstances we would have chosen four to sing during the service.
On this occasion the hymns included “Ride on, ride on in majesty,” “All glory, laud and honour,” “My song is love unknown,” “Praise to the Holiest” and “O Sacred Head” – the Passion Chorale. The three other points in the service at which I provide music are firstly: a meditative piece for when the Priest proceeds to the Holy Table or Altar to prepare Holy Communion; secondly: in similar vein during and after the administration of Holy Communion to the congregation; and thirdly, by contrast: a rousing exit voluntary at the end, to send the people on their way on an upbeat note.
In these constrained times of Covid-19, my role is seen as more important than ever, since without sung hymns our services would be bereft of music, which for most worshippers would be depressing in the extreme. Can you imagine “Songs of Praise” without music?
Even though as a musician, I can and do read and write music regularly (in “normal” times I of course use the hymn book for congregational singing), at the organ during these services I play from memory and by ear, working from a prepared list of titles, as you can probably see on the music stand. This means I can go on as long as necessary if there are delays – often improvising on the hoof – or “turn on a sixpence” if a sudden change of mood is necessary. This tends to come into its own at weddings, though there have been precious few of those recently!
Although much of the music I use cannot by any means be described as sacred, I nonetheless try to tailor it to create or enhance a suitable mood of contemplation – or indeed rejoicing – as befits the ambience of worship.
Brian
