Yesterday morning we were a bit down on numbers in both the audience and choir, so I turned the wick up a notch or two on my singing and stuck mostly to the tune rather than singing the bass part. Then, given the gospel was about the women waiting around with their oil lamps I gave them a Vague Approximation on Wachet Auf on the way out.

Anyway, after my Vague Approximation there was applause (I thought they'd stopped doing that), then I had two people praising my singing afterwards and appreciation of the voluntary.

So far that looks like a lot of self trumpet blowing, but my point is to say that we are appreciated at the organ stool, even if such open appreciation is rare, it is good to know that we have some sort of (positive) impact, and I hope everyone has someone in the congregation moved/inspired/perked up a bit by the contribution we all make.

We ended up with no minister yesterday ! They decided to have a 'Songs of Praise' service with some short readings in between.
I had to play 14 hymns (though mostly they sang 2 verses, a few 3 verses). They have had these occasionally before but never 14 hymns !
Anyway I got positive feedback and lots of nice comments for my efforts, and they do enjoy different harmonies I use for the last verses (mainly those by our resident local Noel Rawsthorne)

Absolutely vectistim, you highlight a very important point.

We hear of a lot of problems and tales of woe here (and naturally so - it is a good place to get advise), but it is good to be reminded of the vital ministry the organist is performing.

Being complemented, not so as to boost an egotistic or arrogant manner of thinking, can actually be what makes it all worthwhile. I have gotten cards of thanks after funerals from families I do not know - and it is very moving to know you are doing something special for them at a time of grief. Last Sunday (All Saints/All Souls) a teary eyed gentleman who I had never spoken to before approached me and thanked me for my hymn playing, which was apparently just like his late brothers playing style, and this had meant a great deal to him that morning.

Quite often too, I think it is thought that thoughtful and englightened delivery of the music can lift the whole service up, even if the content in words is the same, which would otherwise have been more 'dull'. Last night I was congratulated on a 'magnificent performance' of Ye Holy Angels Bright at a large church in Durham, simply because I played it very loudly and did an elaborate last verse. If these things move one person in the congregation, it has been worthwhile.

So, don't worry about sounding like you are 'trumpet blowing' - (but praise where praise is due for ones efforts) - because it is what we are doing for the congregations, and perhaps especially the casual visitors, which is truly important in the work of a church organist. Things like qualifications and repertoire are, whilst important, secondary to that.

I wish we had you organists at our church. Ours is grumpy and we never get a word from him and he plays everything sooooo slowly. I am thinking of going somewhere else for the next few weeks to enjoy some decent music during the Christmas period rather than endure my favourite carols at half speed.

It is great to be appreciated, and so nice that vectistim's parish showed that.

Personally I just get embarrassed if there is any applause. I'd rather just receive a quiet word of appreciation afterwards.

Furthermore it never ceases to amaze me how the congregation react to certain repertoire. I could play something quite difficult pretty well and nobody provides any feedback and then the next week improvise a recessional which doesn't really go anywhere and do much and then I get rapturous applause.

Perhaps the vicar keeps two strengths of communion wine and depending which one is used on any given week determines the reaction !

I hope that he feeds some to our organist! It might make him a bit more cheerful! This player looks as if he's had a good swig.

Yes, my OH gets applause sometimes when he plays a particularly melodious voluntary (they're not too keen on loud crunchy slightly discordant voluntaries), but he had one enthusiast who came up to congratulate on the organ playing while he was still playing the voluntary ! In true RCO style, he kept playing while muttering something (- thanks I hope!) to the gentleman concerned.

I've been a few times to a local church where I rather enjoy the organists playing... but never ever have seen him anywhere after the service to say as much! Perhaps he hides in order to avoid any remarks from the congregation.

Furthermore it never ceases to amaze me how the congregation react to certain repertoire. I could play something quite difficult pretty well and nobody provides any feedback and then the next week improvise a recessional which doesn't really go anywhere and do much and then I get rapturous applause.

I couldn't have put it better if I'd tried. So, Mr Bouffant, how are your prearations for the Pierre Cochereau piece you just bought from 'di-arrezzo' going?

It is said that organ playing is only noticed when it is unusually good, or unusually bad........

I suspect you are appreciated much more than you think Tim; its just that very few people think to show their appreciation by actually saying so. When it does happen it comes as a pleasant surprise.

Good quality music adds greatly to worship, and can make a good service especially memorable. On the other hand, even if the service or sermon is a bit dull, most people enjoy singing good hymns, and will go out with a feeling of joy in their hearts, which is a worthy achievement in itself.

If music is consistently good in your church then maybe your congregation has become spoilt, but if they are used to singing to CD's, or worse still, a music group, then singing great hymns to a well played organ is a special treat.

SB

I think my organ lacks the gravitat required for such cacophony. The church lacks the acoustic. And my fingers lack something too.
I think I will be falling back on some old favourites instead for the Festive period!

Practice?

Pot? Kettle?

Possibly, but then there aren't many things I duck out of 'cos I can't blag them...

I got lots of good feedback when I played Nimrod at last years Remembrance service, but they havent asked me to play it this year !!