Dear list:

While it's nice to see some activity on this group, it's sad to see
that once again someone is using a board about organ playing to
preach, as if one hasn't heard enough of that from "well meaning"
christian friends and fellow organists in real life.

> > There's an 11th Commandment of Organ Practice:
> >
> > 11. Thou shalt pray before practicing organ. Pray thou play "in
holiness
> > beauty" which 2 Chronicles says was done by the Levite choir. Pray
thou
> > play with the "spirit and the understanding" which Psalms says
> > instrumentalists and singers are to do.

I beg to differ with this 11th. commandment, what does praying have to
do with how well one plays/practises? I read and "understood" the
oft-edited Christian Bible and doesn't need to pray to that particular
Judeo-Christian deity for a better practise session.

By your rationale, I suppose theatre organist who have no religious
affiliation must convert to some form of Jehovah/Yahweh/Allah based
religion in order to have fruitful practises.

Contrary to your beliefs, religion is the main source that SUCKS the
joy out of organ playing for me. I am glad that I am not playing in a
church, nor do I have to play any hymns or overtly chorale based
music.

> > Sincerely,
> > Pauline Phillips

Sorry for my outburst here, I am just completely sick of the automatic
association of christianity with organ playing and had to vent.

Michael