From the Organ Bench - April 2009

Greetings Friends! What a great day we had on February 8, 2009! The dedication of our new pipe organ during morning worship was made even more special be having our brothers and sisters from Park United Methodist celebrating with us. Then in the afternoon I had the privilege of showing you just what this instrument can do. I know that the instrument was up to the task but I was not sure about the artist!

Preparing for an organ dedication and then a recital is a daunting task, especially since there really was only the month of January to prepare. We first used the organ on Christmas Eve 2008 and the recital was on February 8, 2009, so preparation time was limited. I looked back and realized that I had not played a solo recital of any kind since around 1994! No wonder I felt rusty.

I would be remiss if I did not thank each and every one of you that attended either the Dedication Service or the Dedicatory Recital (or both!). Your unwavering support is indeed appreciated and uplifting during these difficult times in which we find ourselves. Of course the Organ Committee and the Peragallo Pipe Organ Company are to be congratulated as well as the entire Session for their forethought and support.

When I was growing up, the pipe organ in our Church was always thought of as “hands off”. Now I was the son of the Minister of Music so that rule did not apply to me, but I see that it is still in full force in many of our Churches today. I would like to propose that we treat this instrument differently. I don't mean that we should just allow anyone to come in and play it, but that we should share this gift that God has given us. I have approached the Worship, Membership & Evangelism Committee with the idea of using this as a teaching instrument. Montclair State University has recently re-established an Organ Major degree at the John J. Cali School of Music. They are building a small practice instrument for the college, but have access to only two other pipe organs in the metropolitan area (one in Montclair and one in Manhattan). Neither of these instruments is designed in the French Romantic/Symphonic style as is our organ. It would be a great teaching tool in that respect. I would also suggest that we not limit this to MSU, but open it up to other colleges and students in the area. If we truly want to serve our community and grow to become that place where people want to be to Worship God, then we need to work on programs such as these. We have already been contacted by several area students and will work on those details as soon as the consternation of the Sanctuary Ceiling situation is resolved. You never know, we may even get substitute organists or even some Choir members out of the deal.

The Music Ministry at the Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green is everyone’s ministry. We need all of you to be involved in some capacity, regardless of where we are. The more the merrier! Should you have any questions, please talk to a Choir member or myself.

Peace,
Tim Tarantino Past messages from the Director of Music:
November 2008: From the Organ Bench - November 2008