SOUNDBOARD May 2001

May 2001

Editorial Comment

Editing the first issue of anything is both a challenge and a privilege. The Diocesan Church Music Committee did have some ideas of what they thought would be useful to include In SOUNDBOARD and some of these ideas have materialised — you will find them within. And thank you to the few others who, in response to a request for suggestions, offered a number of good ideas. However, to recall the proverb “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”, the criterion Is whether you — the reader — do actually find the material here useful and/or of interest. It is essential that you let us know. About 400 musicians will receive this newsletter; it would be very rewarding to receive 400 comments (good, bad or indifferent) in the next week or two — by letter, telephone or e-mail. Perhaps you have questions/queries about church music to which you would like an answer? What do you find most satisfying/least satisfying about the work? Have you any specific problems with which someone might be able to help? Have you been searching unsuccessfully for any piece of music? Have you attended any courses that were good (or bad!)? Do you want publicity about any music events in your church? Do let us have your suggestions and thoughts — all will be appreciated.

Choosing the Music

The occasional letter in the correspondence of CMQ suggest that not all organists are happy with the method of choosing the music in their churches. Perhaps the same might be the case here? Could we ask readers for details of how the music is chosen in their particular churches, highlighting the satisfactory and unsatis factory aspects of it. A survey of methods in use, pointing out these aspects could be of interest and of value to many.

Next Issue

Depending on the success (or otherwise) of this issue, it is hoped to publish SOUNDBOARD 2 in November, in time to publicise details of Christmas music recitals, concerts, etc.

1. Editorial Comment
2. Exactly What is the Diocesan Church Music Committee? David McConnell explains.
3. Profile: Barbara Dagg is the subject in this first issue
4. Resources for the Church Musician
5. Tuning Organs Stephen Adams and Aidan Scanlon write about problems encountered
6. An Organists' Crossword
7. Notes and News A miscellany of bits and pieces