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United Reformed Church

 Musicians’ Guild

1. Another opportunity to promote the Musicians’ Guild has soon come round. We still meet people at events and in churches who have never heard about the organisation devoted to music-making in worship in the United Reformed Church. This is such a pity because the Guild has much to offer to musicians of all ages and abilities – and indeed also to those with no special skills but who feel uplifted by music in church!

2. However, like most organisations, the Musicians’ Guild has enjoyed another year a bit like the fabled curate’s egg – good in parts! Whilst wonderful musical events and experiences have been arranged by some of our branches across the country, other branches have struggled to keep going. Again, such a pity, when there must be church members everywhere for whom music is an essential part of their spiritual life.

3. Our most important event is Celebration Day, always held in October. In 2005, members gathered at the beautiful modern ecumenical Church of Christ the Cornerstone in the centre of Milton Keynes. Our day of music was led by Adrian Boynton, Director of Music and included choral workshops with many of the pieces being sung as part of worship at the end of the day. Members were put through their vocal paces before and after lunch. Singing is a fantastic aerobic activity and all those who enjoy it will tell you that, at the end of a workshop, choir practice or concert, a singer is on a ‘high’ and usually ravenously hungry and thirsty! Music-making in church also comes with the special joy of knowing that everyone taking part is making music for the glory of God in His place.

4. During 2005, and indeed for several years before that, a very important task was being undertaken by many specialist volunteers across the country. In many of our churches, the pipe organ is still the instrument that accompanies worship and, in recent times, the Guild has become very concerned about the number of instruments of merit that become redundant, are taken apart during building refurbishment (or closure) and disposed of often without any advice being taken regarding possible alternative action. Although hymn singing in United Reformed Churches has not always been accompanied by pipe organs, many instruments are now a vital part of our musical heritage.

5. Early in 2006, the Guild published a survey of organs containing the results of a questionnaire sent to all United Reformed Churches in the UK. There was a 64% response rate from churches and nearly 600 pipe organs have been assessed by a team of advisers across the country – a huge undertaking. One of the major objectives of the survey is to establish a list of those organs considered to be worthy of Grade I, II* and II status and to ensure that each Synod office of the United Reformed Church is informed of the churches in their area of special importance.

6. The Musicians’ Guild is indebted to John Harding, the Co-ordinator of its Organ Advisory Service, for undertaking this important work.

7. For further information about the Guild, please visit our website at www.urcmusic.org.uk or contact our Secretary, Mrs Chris James, 56 Back Street, Ashwell, Baldock, Herts SG7 5PE. (tel: 01462 742684)