The following post in the Facebook Organists Association page elicited many responses:

Anthony Williams wrote: I have a question for the church musicians. Are you using brass for Easter? Usually, we have a brass quartet, however, with the pandemic we are deciding tonight whether or not to use brass. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Here are some of the comments—I think the consensus is that brass instruments are too dangerous!

Bruce Alan Wilson I read somewhere that the trumpet is the worst offender in spreading COVID of all instruments. Our Bishop has said no singing and no wind instruments until further notice.

John Gouwens I would certainly think trumpets and trombones would really be a problem with Covid.

Bryan Mitnaul No. Overkill this year and too soon. We will do a big hymn festival with brass once our bishop allows congregational singing to resume.

Kevin Donnelly No brass. It’s too soon to take that risk.

Cindy Fisher Thomas I am working at a church were they are open to the public on Easter, for the first time. Pews are marked off for distancing. Brass quartet playing with covers and sitting at opposite ends of choir loft. I am playing flute, 20 ft. away from piano on the first level, and very far away from pews. Fortunately the church is very large. I am fully vaccinated, so I feel safe. I will wear my mask when not playing.

Lars Andersen Not this year! We are not having any indoor public services yet … restricted to outdoor, socially distanced and masked. For Easter this year we are requiring reservations for one of the three Easter morning services, all which will be held at our outdoor chapel.

This year, as I may have mentioned in an earlier post, I recorded my organ accompaniment then sent it to music director and trumpeter, Russell Ishida, who will wield some magic to add his trumpet part and insert us into the sanctuary of Nuuanu Congregational Church for the pre-recorded video presentation.

This whole discussion brought back many fond memories of Palm Sundays and Easters at the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. We would typically hire a brass quartet to play “All glory, laud and honor” as the service started outside in the courtyard, and congregation was led in procession outside and around the church. We figured a brass quartet was the only instrument that was loud enough to carry the congregational singing outdoors as the marching went around the church. There was only one year in which I was part of the marchers, and I for one got hopelessly lost on what verse we were on! What was always fascinating was that the beginning of the procession always got about one whole phrase ahead of the back of the procession, and it was amazing how it worked itself out.

After a short liturgy back in the courtyard, the congregation would enter on Carl Crosier’s arrangement of “Ride on, ride on in majesty,” for brass and organ. Because I had to be ready to play at the organ entrance, I would not process with the congregation, but would be stationed inside the church where I could hear the congregation move around the building. In all the years of doing this outdoor procession, I don’t think it ever rained!

Then the following Sunday, Easter Day, we would hire a brass sextet and percussion —6 brass players plus a percussionist, because our composer friend, Peter Hallock, had a whole collection of Easter anthems for exactly that complement of instrumentalists. And of course, we would have the brass play along with the organ on most of the hymns and liturgical works (This is the Feast, Psalm, etc.)

Ah, memories! Next year, hopefully, everything will be back to “normal.”