Did you know that a hydraulic organ accompanied gladiator games in a Roman amphitheater? Did you know that there’s a 17th-Century Cathedral in Saltzburg, Austria, that has four organs? When we saw them, I wondered whether that’s where the phrase “playing by ear” came from, because each organ was situated to have the organist’s back face the transept, making it impossible for the organists to see each other when playing. I tried to imagine the thunderous music that would fill the cavernous space when all instruments sounded together. Fortunately, we don’t have that problem here at Kirkland Congregational Church, when our Allen Digital organ will again “sound” in September as the weather cools and the new Sunday School and Choir season starts on September 11.
As old and as great as a musical instrument can be, by far the best “organ” or musical instrument is the human voice, which is capable of shadings and shapings, tones and timbres far exceeding any man-made device. Beyond the physiology of the human voice lie other components which are all brought to bear in singing: the playfulness of our animal nature; the order and discipline of the human brain; the feeling heart as the well of emotion from which true music must stem; and the spiritual gestalt as we mutually and simultaneously strive toward that which will stir hearts and give a glimpse of perfection in the universe, a peek at eternity. In short, performing music, especially in community, is one of the highest levels of activity humans can achieve, the most satisfying and yet the most elusive, for it lives in the moment and is done by flawed individuals. To it we must bring our best efforts and for this be rewarded so disproportionably.
“Music, the greatest good that mortals know,
And all of heaven we have below.”
- from “Song for St. Cecelia’s Day” by Joseph Addison
CHOIR REHEARSALS start Thursday, September 8, 2005, at 7:30 in the sanctuary.
We welcome all who love to sing. Come and help us make “heavenly” music!
Ele Nash
Music Director