CharlesW

Seeking very simple organ music
IMDB has a wealth of music. The Montreal Organ Book has plenty of simple and manuals only pieces for organ from the classical French school essentially 18th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Livre_d%27orgue_de_Montr%C3%A9al#:~:text=The%20Livre…

Comment by CharlesW 1:58AM permalink
Sang “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman” at a funeral today…
I have noticed that Catholic congregations/choirs tend to drag it. It should have an upbeat tempo as the Protestants do it.

Comment by CharlesW January 12 permalink
Sang “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman” at a funeral today…
It also makes me laugh when people think chant is too difficult for a congregation but have no qualms about HMGW (or even “Be Not Afraid,” which I also sang today). I always thought "Whistle a Happy Tune," might have better theology in it…

Comment by CharlesW January 4 permalink
Sang “Hail Mary: Gentle Woman” at a funeral today…
I hate it, too.

Comment by CharlesW January 4 permalink
Generational Conflict between a young music director versus an aging and diminishing volunteer choir
If you have enough people - that's a big if - you could form an older choir and let them sing periodically. You would have to be able to form a younger group to carry most services and functions using the argument that it would expand particip…

Comment by CharlesW December 2025 permalink
Walking the Baby and the Diddly Music
That's the silliest thing I have heard yet. You could play "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," a genuine show stopper.

Comment by CharlesW December 2025 permalink
Ending a minor hymn with a major chord
One can end the singing in minor then add a coda leading triumphantly to major on the organ. I wouldn't over use it, though.

Comment by CharlesW December 2025 permalink
Urgent Prayer Request
Just saw this. Prayers for her and the family.

Comment by CharlesW December 2025 permalink
Creepy Things in the Choir Room?
Probably done by a soprano who didn't get a solo. They are vindictive creatures. Have you had any disagreements or words with anyone who may be trying to get back at you?

Comment by CharlesW December 2025 permalink
funerals: Song of Farewell
Very nice! Thanks.

Comment by CharlesW November 2025 permalink
We need better (i.e. Catholic) Communion Hymns
I would like to come before the Lord and smash the tambourine. Could throw in a couple of lightning bolts toward the guitarists, as well. When I played for many years, it was a struggle to find decent communion hymns. They were, by and large, dr…

Comment by CharlesW October 2025 permalink
Handbells?
I used the zimbelstern at Easter for the Gloria. I figured that since I donated it I could play it if I pleased.

Comment by CharlesW September 2025 permalink
Handbells?
I played them while in college but never saw the need for them in Catholic liturgy.

Comment by CharlesW September 2025 permalink
Fake/Accelerated Organ Videos
Let's give Diane Bish some energy drinks and let her rip. Talk about speeded up...

Comment by CharlesW September 2025 permalink
* When do you just give up?
I have often thought there needs to be a secret organization that can dispatch pastors to the Land of Nod where they can no longer do any damage, spend the parish into debt, or teach self-aggrandizing nonsense. Oh well. Dream on. Our ancestors co…

Comment by CharlesW September 2025 permalink
The Holy Face : A Hymn of Reparation : by Koerber
I like it!

Comment by CharlesW September 2025 permalink
* When do you just give up?
I guess you could say I gave up. I retired about 5 years ago. I was tired of the soprano whose voice had aged beyond being able to sing - a fact known to everyone but her. Tired of the priests-performers who were all about themselves. Tired of th…

Comment by CharlesW September 2025 permalink
Fake/Accelerated Organ Videos
Nearly everything is edited these days.

Comment by CharlesW September 2025 permalink
Fake/Accelerated Organ Videos
I have often thought that some music is played too fast compared to what the composers intended. I have read the quote supposedly by one of Bach's sons that his organ playing was rather slow and stately. Widor himself complained about virtuos…

Comment by CharlesW September 2025 permalink
Hymn to St. Philomena: please critique!
Good to know someone still thinks well of St. Philomena. Devotion to her has unfortunately diminished in recent times.

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Is the Forum under Attack?
It's just trying to let us know our car warranty is expiring.

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Is the Forum under Attack?
GerardH, that did it. Thanks!

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Is the Forum under Attack?
I'm getting the same thing.

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Is the Forum under Attack?
I didn't think I had that many friends. Now to get rid of them. LOL

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Singing advice when you are in an area with poor air quality
We gave even gotten some smoke in East Tennessee along with some from several fires in our own area.

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Slowing down at the name of Jesus?
I think it was the sermons that may have done it. When I attended a Latin mass, it was a high mass which was longer.

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Slowing down at the name of Jesus?
Nah. I'm Byzantine. We don't do Latin councils. It's interesting how the Latin Rite mass has gotten shorter over time. A priest who let it go over one hour might be run out of the parish.

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Slowing down at the name of Jesus?
Careful with that. You might make the mass too long.

Comment by CharlesW August 2025 permalink
Overlap in Flor Peeters books?
Judicious repeats, changes in registrations, linking several together, as the previous poster noted, all workable solutions.

Comment by CharlesW July 2025 permalink
Substitute organist, or not
I retired and there is no way I would substitute. I have had enough. The above examples are good illustrations of why organists leave.

Comment by CharlesW July 2025 permalink

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About

Username: CharlesW
Email: chazpipesatgmaildotcom
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