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1.1   The URC Musicians' Guild has 380 individual and 50 corporate members (where churches pay a higher subscription than for an individual, but on behalf of all their people concerned with music in worship.)  Facts: having a regular organist and/or a choir is now generally uncommon; most UR churches rely, with varying degrees of success, on people willing to take turns at playing organ/piano/other keyboard to accompany worship and a few opt for recorded music even for singing.  An increasing (yet relatively small) proportion have instrumental groups - either instead of or in addition to a 'regular' musician at a main instrument.  Some have singing groups.  All of these and any members of congregations who feel the importance of music in worship - and after all nearly everyone expects it - the Guild seeks to support, help train and encourage.  Revd Colin Biggs writes:-

(to be sung to 'Shine Jesus shine')

Do we sing to God's praise and glory?
At the Guild, do we tell His story?
Do we listen to all sorts of music
Used to share what the Lord does among us?
Strings and flutes: sax and bass?
Let music swell
to express all our praise and worship:
Let music grow,
let our voices ring!
Let music live,
both the old and the very modern!
That's what we want
for the Musicians'Guild!

There's a welcome for all musicians
serving God in our congregations:
music group or choir or organ,
orchestras are wanted among us -
let God's praise fill our days!
Let music swell
to express all our praise and worship:
Let music grow,
let our voices ring!
Let music live,
both the old and the very modern!
That's what we want
for the Musicians'Guild!

1.2   To gain an insight into what the Guild already does, the Guild Review offers a regular up-date on activities, and is published 3 times a year.

1.3   The annual Celebration Day this year will take place at Windermere (19th October).  Arrangements are well in hand, including within the programme a talk by Fred Kaan.  The day is open to all, members and non-members of the Guild alike.

1.4   Within our aim of addressing the widest variety of music possible in worship, the Guild does accept a particular responsibility for church organs.  We have a wealth of knowledge, experience and contacts that can be made available to any church on request.

1.5   One year's membership of the Guild still costs a mere £4 (£10 for corporate members) and, for the time being, requests for membership forms and other information should be addressed to Revd A Jack Beeson, 135 Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham BR3 3QU.  Requests concerning the Organ Advisory Service should still contact John L Harding, 'Rainbow's End', 105 Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich, IP4 3NU.

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