SOUNDBOARD October 2008

October 2008

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Readers,

I serve on many committees, some more active and effective than others. Committees can be talking-shops, with no real outcome. The Diocesan Committee for Church Music is the essence of what a committee should be, with decisions being made and put into practice. It is a joy to be Chairman of it. We have a band of talented, and often very busy church musicians, who give of their time and their talents in the service of putting music at the heart of our church worship in whatever way that is possible in our local congregational circumstances.

The committee works untiringly for church musicians, clergy, choirs and congregations, in very many ways. I commend the Editor of this magazine for his work in helping us towards this goal, and in disseminating information on our work.

With all good wishes in your work in enhancing the worship of the church.

Yours sincerely,

Edgar Swann (Chairman)

EDITORIAL COMMENT

The singing (or unfortunately the non singing in some cases) of the psalms at church services has come under discussion at Church Music Committee meetings for some considerable time, and in this issue of SOUNDBOARD, we present several articles relevant to the matter. We are much indebted to the Archbishop for giving his views on the matter, and as well, Archdeacon Swann has penned an article based on his series of Lent 2008 addresses in his parish of Greystones. Both great men have similar thoughts about the matter.

To the humble Editor, in the parish of Howth, the singing of the weekly psalm to Anglican chant is the musically sublime part of each service — particularly when all four parts are present in the choir. The psalms contain wonderful language and are often highly descriptive (‘The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament sheweth His handiwork’). The psalms too can often provide great scope for the organist to put expression into the accompaniment (e.g., full swell and manual 16’ for ‘who stilleth the raging of the sea’ — always sung in unison). Some say that congregations cannot cope with Anglican chant — but they can if they are taught the essentials of it and it becomes the norm. At the 9.30 service in Howth, when there is no choir present, the congregation sing Anglican chants with no trouble. We don’t use an enormous number of chants (probably 20 to 30 from the 700+ that are in the Irish Chant Book). In a recent communication from a small parish in the provinces, the organist reported that they sing the psalm and canticles every Sunday to Anglican chant, and sing them well.

However, there are other ways of singing the psalms, and these are also mentioned in the various articles within. So the Editor sees eye to eye with the two great men — if your church has dropped psalms, think about reintroducing them. They are very much part of our Christian heritage.

1. Comment
2. Psalms, Archdeacon Edgar Swann
3. A Rich Heritage of Christian Worship, The Archbishop of Dublin writes
4. The Liturgical Advisory Committee — what exactly is it?
   The Revd Gerald Field, Hon. Secretary.
5. Singing the Psalms, David McConnell reviews some official documents
6. Peter Barley talking to Gerard Gillen
7. How Well do you Know the Psalms? 
8. Life is full of surprises, Derek Verso
9. Celebrating the Eucharist — Children Welcome?
10. Some ‘New’ Hymns in Church Hymnal 5
11. Ralph Vaughan Williams, Derek Seymour writes 50 years after the composer’s death
12. The RSCM Summer School — reports from those whoattended
13. Virgins before Advent, Adrian Somerfield and Wachet Auf
14. Stir up Sunday, Randal Henly
15. Some Reading for the Church Organist, Jacqueline Mullen
16. ‘VIVACE’ — the Church Choir Music Resource
17. Notes and News