The anticipated appearance of the hymnal supplement (actually the second supplement, since hymns 401-429 in the present hymnal are a supplement) could serve as a fresh opportunity for tut-tutting, but it may also be another sign of the sad state of music in branch churches and of the churches themselves. Those who awaited the supplement with greatly subdued expectations will probably not be pleasantly surprised.
A copy of an impartial and quite thorough ten-page letter from a professional musician to the Board of Directors in Boston was sent to me. Since many copies are doubtless floating about it can probably be sniffed out locally if one is interested in seeing it.
The letter discusses each of the 33 new hymns, numbers 430-462. The musician's conclusion is that overall they fall short, perhaps considerably so (my words), of meeting the requirements of Article XIX of the Church Manual. A number are, it would seem, woefully amateurish. It is doubtful that churches with professional or competent musicians will be scrambling to use many of them.
In part, it seems likely that this supplement was just poorly executed by persons who scarcely know music themselves and who simply supplied "hymns" compatible with their level of expertise. But it may also be an indication of the dismal state of music in many Christian Science churches. It is probable that professional or competent musicians and soloists are unaffordable or unavailable to many churches with small memberships or even to some with larger ones. Willing, though unqualified, members and Sunday School students may be filling the musical vacuum in many churches.
Mrs. Eddy gave music a prominent role in her Sunday Services and Wednesday Meetings and expected quality and quantity, so it is regrettable that churches may well have gotten what they needed and wanted with the new supplement. Can one be forgiven if the thought of gaggles of amateur music-makers dutifully committing sacrilegious mayhem on a crazy-quilt repertoire of hymns, solos, preludes, and postludes finds him sneaking in a furtive prayer to St. Cecilia? Yet another item for the already crowded "prayer and fasting" list.
16 comments:
Thanks for being on top of things, blogger. Just another instance of lowered standards from those given us by our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy. But you care about upholding same, and so do an ever growing number of us.
So what's new? More mediocrity across the board. (No pun intended!)
Thanks for keeping us informed, blogger.
And Boston's response to this letter from a professional musician was????
Back in the 1970s when a new hymnal was under consideration, I remember speaking with the then TMC organist Thomas Richner, and he was disgusted because they hadn't even bothered to talk to him about it and were not then looking to musicians for input. Guess some things at hq never change....
Sounds like another way to generate income.
Probably is all about generating more money for them, as the previous commenter has said. Nothing like leaving the Founder of our Church and what she stipulated out of the picture!
Let me quote Mary Baker Eddy herself in the Church Manual, on the subject of music in the churches. This is By-law, Article XIX on page 6l: "The music in The Mother Church shall not be operatic, but of an appropriate religious character and of a recognized standard of musical excellence; it shall be played in a dignified and suitable manner." This surely gives an idea of what she expected in branch churches of her Cause as well, does it not?
Whether the motive for this was to get more income, or to appeal to younger people, it is still below what our Leader expected and stated clearly as to what she felt music in the Church should be. And this to me, makes it wrong.
I'm enjoying this blog very much, but think maybe you're being a bit hard on the new hymnal supplement.
Have you all seen it? Tried the hymns? I'm a long time church solist and look forward to seeing it. Chances are I won't like all of them, but I think it's definitely time to do some newer music.
Yes, things can new and up-to-date without quality being sacrificed, can't they? This is all this blogger is saying, in my view.
You present Christian Science issues in such a fresh, creative way. Really enjoy your blog!
I'm a new reader to your blog, at a friend's recommendation, and I just love the way you express such vital points. Intend to read many of your previous entries. You are prolific, and write so well!
So glad someone in the Field is staying on top of things, and giving us honest assessments of what's going on with Boston.
God bless your blogging!
Have gone back and read many of your fine blogs. Very well done, and I look forward to more like your latest as well.
Thanks,
Want to commend you on such a substantial website (unlike some others I've checked out.) This one is deeply thought out, and so creatively presened to the public.
Love it!
Sorry to dig up an old post but I just have to say I do not like the new supplement! I am a professional musician with wide ranging tastes but every time I open that thing I just cringe. There are a couple of "fun" numbers but more campfire sing-a-long stuff. Not serious music. There is plenty of music in the hymnal (400+) if folks would sing it. I don't know what Mrs Eddy said about part singing but the music is there.
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