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ISM Colloquium Presentation Abstracts
Spring 2004
Kyle Babin
The Organist as Liturgist in Post-Reformation Germany
In my presentation I examined the various roles of the Lutheran church organist in Post-Reformation Germany. Some of these roles included accompanying congregational singing of chorales, improvising and performing pieces based on those chorales, and performing in alternatim with the congregation. I presented a brief performance of this type of alternatim practice by improvising short organ versets between sung verses of the Magnificat in Mode V. I posited the idea that by molding and shaping a musical idea (like the chorale) that was deeply impressed on the minds and hearts of Post-Reformation Lutheran worshippers, the Lutheran organist acted as a liturgist. Through his improvisations, he was able to react to specific and spontaneous aspects of the liturgy. In essence, he became a musical preacher.
Questions:
- How can the organist today, as in the 16th and 17th centuries, react through improvisation to a particular liturgy? Give an example.
- What expectations and skills were required of Post-Reformation Lutheran church organists when applying for church positions?
- How would you like to see these principles applied to church musicians in their roles in worship today?
Grace Pritchard Burson
Furry Dances and Wassailing Trees: The Survival of the English Ritual Year
The traditional English agricultural ritual year is a legitimate cultural expression, worthy of being revived, especially in rural and Anglican churches. It consists of a cycle of celebrations tied to the natural and liturgical years, many of which involve dressing up, song and dance, food and drink, begging from house to house, bonfires, and blessings of crops and animals. These traditions have been preserved or revived in many places. They can be fun and meaningful traditions in the parish if done with respect for their integrity.
Three Questions:
- What does this set of traditions have to do with the Anglican liturgical tradition or the English choral tradition?
- Can you say a little more about the Mummers' Play and the other traditions involving dressing up and playing parts? Can these be described as "liturgical drama"?
- Can you explain what you mean about the way these celebrations work as far as involving both children and adults and creating parish tradition?
Philip Corbett
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: A Devotion for the Modern World
In my presentation I discussed the origins of the service of Benediction as well as its use within the Anglican Church. I described the structure of the service and played some of the music that might be used. I was keen to show how the service might be used in the life of a parish. I tried to illustrate how it might be used following Evensong or as a Station of the Resurrection, a 15th Station of the Cross. It is my hope that the service might be used as a time of silent focused prayer for a worshipping community, perhaps focusing on a particular issue (in some churches for example long periods of sacramental exposition occur with Pro-Life issues in mind). I was keen to point out that the service is one of equality: all are equal before the sacrament.
- Might there be different designs for the monstrance, perhaps relating to the modern world and modern liturgy?
- What scope is there for musical diversity or improviation in the service? Is it possible to use music from around the world in the service or must there always be Gregorian Chant?
- Can the service relate to many churches' desire for outreach in the community and to deal with issues of social justice?
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