Another Day at the Office
Over many years of providing the organ backing for ecclesiastical functions, I have learned how to avoid many of the numerous pitfalls which infest such occasions and those which must be avoided at all costs. The majority of such learning comes at the cost of bitter experience and considerable sacrifice of personal dignity. As in many aspects of show business, the backing group, in this environment known as the choir, can be a major source of concern. Usually, the choir is a collection of well-meaning local individuals whose vocal talents range from average to abysmal. The volume of vocal output is commonly directly proportional to their inability to reach high notes with any degree of accuracy and to their tendency towards originality regarding harmonies. Commonly, the organ is positioned in the church where it is hard to see the backing group and therefore to keep an eye on members with the potential for disruption , usually smal...