Many churches
feel that they can't meet the requirements for commissioning a new pipe
organ. While some feel that they don't have enough money, others
feel that they don't have enough space or the proper acoustics. Others
may believe that pipe organs are a thing of the past or that their liturgical
philosophy is moving in a less traditional direction. In all actuality,
only three requirements need to be met; they are values, vision,
and will.
Values:
First of all, you must value the real over the imitation.
While many things can be made to sparkle and shine, only a real diamond
is a diamond, only real gold is gold. Similarly, you must value
austerity
and sobriety over extravagance and garishness. Many organists
today are trading true artistry for electronics because they are
beguiled with the limitless musical "candy store" that imitation instruments
offer. At this point in technology, we now have the capability to
offer from one organ console an imitation of every organ stop made by every
major builder all available at every pitch. Even though that
is technically possible, would that resemble a true artistically designed
musical instrument or rather a garish display of frivolous excess?
The same is true when an average parish church with a seating capacity
of 200 buys the 4 manual electronic complete with a massive console, a
battery of Skinner style reed choruses, multiple 32' pedal stops, etc.
The result is not really a grand and glorious instrument, but one that
is entirely incongruous with reality along with any dimension of sober
austerity. The irony here is that a pipe organ was often thought
of in days past as the extravagant option.
Vision: Secondly,
you must envision all possibilities, temper that vision with good artistic
taste, and ground it in reality. For example, the 100 rank four manual
instrument in a church seating 200 is certainly not practical or
tasteful (whether electronic or in real pipes). Here is where pastors,
church officials, musicians, architects, and organ builders should meet.
Too many times people make short sited decisions because not all parties
take the time and effort to research a truly tasteful, long range, visionary
plan. The planning stage may even take longer than the building stage.
Additionally, for what ever reason, sometimes a common error is in thinking
that a real pipe organ is simply not practical or even possible.
In response to that erroneous thinking, some churches take the easy way
out and merely make a trip to the local music store to "pick out" a state-of-the-art
electronic model that offers the organist the latest "dazzling" possibilities.
Unfortunately, they will soon discover that the "new" wears off rather
quickly.
Will:
Finally, when we choose to value the real over the imitation and boldly
envision truly inspiring possibilities, a church must discover the will
to make the project a reality. Rarely is a major undertaking such
as commissioning a real pipe organ an effortless task not only to plan
but also to bring to fruition. Amazing things can be accomplished,
however, when positive, creative, and dedicated people combine their spirit
inspired energies. As the old cliché states: where there
is the will there is a way. The results will not only be worth
the effort, but will also represent and embody the best of our values,
foresight, and wisdom surely for us in the present, but also for those
of future generations yet to be born.