[Magdalen] Hymn choices...

[Grace Cangialosi]

Oops!!  A gremlin got into that post! I meant to quote the organist at that Mass who said with a wink, "Well, I did it just for you!"

> On May 29, 2017, at 9:34 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> As a sometime organist in the past, I can relate to much of this, Sheila, though more recently, as the music director in a church, I had the say over all things musical.
> 
> As for the RC thing, I 've had a running, though good-natured, conversation for years with whoever was playing for services at the Jesuit retreat center I go to about not playing entire hymns. The response has always been that they agree, but most of the priests celebrating are very clear that they basically only want enough of the hymn to make their exit. "Traveling music," in other words.  During one final Mass of a retreat when I was there, we sang all the verses of the hymns. I went up to the organist afterwards to thank him, and as he saw me coming, he winked and said, "Well, I did always easier to find a new job when you haveit just for you!"
> 
> But Sheila, my strongest advice to you is to STAY THERE while you look for something else. It's always easier to find a job when you have a job. And in the meantime, play with the prayerful attitude that your playing and the music, while not up to your standards, will be a blessing to at least some in the congregation.
> 
>> On May 29, 2017, at 8:38 AM, sheila ketler via Magdalen <magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:
>> 
>> One Sunday they put in the bulletin that people should stay seated until the candles are blown out and the last hymnfinishes... Yes they were trying to head out the door. I have never worked in this way before and personally I would not have gotten away with this type of behaviour in an Anglican church... The head organist got an Anglican job (a job I wanted but didn't get..) and she has a full-time organ gig but refuses to give this church up... When I heard she gets 150 a funeral I realized that this is a cash cow to her... and she will never leave... Not sure how long I will hang around there I am severely underpaid... and I don't like the music she chooses... and her attitude leaves much to be desired. This is complete laziness and the music is horrible... and leaves much to be desired... I mean the choice of the hymns I think I can actually play!!! or at least I hope I can play.. They seem happy well why wouldn't be be? I am working for a pittance.. 
>> 
>>   On Sunday, May 28, 2017 4:42 PM, ME Michaud <michaudme at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> We always said we could spot the visiting RCs because they'd gather up
>> their belongings and head out when the last hymn began. And then they'd
>> stop at the back and peer at the rest of us in wild surmise.
>> -M
>> 
>> 
>>> On Sunday, May 28, 2017, Lynn Ronkainen <houstonklr at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> ... from my experience with the RC church (of my youth) because of my
>>> mom's involvement until her death last year, 'rote' plans are not unusual.
>>> At every Catholic church she has ever attended only the first or first two
>>> verses were ever sung. EVER. She grew to enjoy hymns in her last few
>>> decades of life and it always upset her that Catholic churches never sang
>>> them all the way through - and she loved the occasional visit to 'my'
>>> church (Episcopal) because we *always* did sing every verse.
>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>>