It was five years ago that I posted this article on my Facebook page: A case for the pipe organ.

Jonathan Aigner, who posted the original article, made the following points:

• It sustains and strengthens congregational singing.
• It fills a room naturally. 
• Its range is massive. 
• It facilitates a wide range of musical styles.

Of course, these are generalizations and presume that you have a large instrument with a lot of stops, as appropriate in a large building. There are many smaller pipe organs which can be effective in buildings far more modest.

“Is a pipe organ absolutely necessary for corporate worship? Absolutely not. But the reality is that most congregations need accompanying instruments. If your church is thinking about getting rid of the organ, don’t. Just don’t. And if your church is one of the many that houses an unused pipe organ, thinking it’s inferior, uncool, or passé, call someone who knows what they’re doing to help you uncover the endless possibilities that sit ignored while the band strums on.” (from the original article)

I will never forget the experiences I had at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu years ago when the organ was not available because of some maintenance issues; and over a period of 4-5 weeks and I had to play the piano for the services. My takeaway was that the singing definitely suffered, and was less hearty and enthusiastic as usual. My reasoning is that the big difference is that the organ sustains… and acts like a big cushion for the congregational singing, breathing with them, interpreting the text (through careful registration) and supporting them in their common voice of praise.

I had the same experience at Iolani School, and although the chapel does not have a pipe organ, again there was a period of time when the Allen 3-manual instrument was out of commission for a week, and it was almost torture to have to accompany 250 unwilling kids (per service) to sing the hymns with the piano. Especially so since this person is a washed up pianist … “Not my instrument!”

In other words …

Musicians say the organ is uniquely suited to support congregational singing because its use of air and vibration mimic the mechanics of the human voice.

Here are some comments from a recent Facebook Organists Association discussion about why organists have to play loudly. The question came from Ayo Oredugba, who asked: “Is it just me doing so or do organists generally like their music very loud, be it playing on the organ or listening to a recording?”

Michael Gardner it has to be played that loud to heard over the talking in the pews. I once did a voluntary on the Aeoline only, no one knew I had even played.

Rick Marcil My congregation talks so much I could play “Take me out to the ballgame” and they would not know. Actually did once and the choir lost it!

Charles King I believe that you are far from being alone in this. Most of us were initially inspired by the ‘power of the organ.’ Unfortunately, now in my later years, I have come to realize that it has done harm to my ears – as did the playing of loud rock-and-roll music by many of my peers so many years ago. Over the years, however, soft pieces have always had their place, especially for preludes to set the tone for worship. Organists need to maintain a variety in organ expression, as well as in the literature we play.

Scott Rowley We’re used to generally being ignored and it’s our way of fighting back?

Charles Potter I think younger organists like it loud. I certainly did. But as an older organist, I appreciate a more subtle and discreet use of the stops, much like the way Mahler used the huge orchestra at his disposal.

Mitch Olson We’re all deaf. The King of Instruments needs to be heard.

Please enjoy this short excerpt from “The Simpsons” on congregational singing with the pipe organ.