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URC
Musicians’ Guild
1 Last year our Report began with the opening words of hymn 414 in Rejoice and Sing ‘When in our music God is glorified’. Let us now quote from the last verse:-
‘Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!’
This exhorts us all - instrumentalists and singers - to the praise of Almighty God.
1.1 The Guild in seeking to increase its membership circulated a poster (illustrated with singers and instruments of various shapes and sizes!) to all Churches in the Spring of last year. If your Church did not receive and display one please let us know. We were trying again to make the point that the Guild is for all who sing - not necessarily in a choral sense but as a member of the congregation or play an instrument of any sort. Despite our efforts we still find that the Guild is often (and wrongly) thought to be basically for Organists! If you or your friends play or sing, value the use of music in worship and/or have any interest in the subject, why not consider joining us and giving us your support? Details of where to get more information and how to join (the subscription is very cheap!) are given below.
1.2 Our Branch activities have continued and judging by the reports in our excellent Journal have covered a wide range of matters of interest to Church musicians. They have included, for example, visits to Churches and (yes!) organ music, but also music by instrumental groups singing of hymns, songs and anthems, talks marking the 250th anniversary of the death of Isaac Watts, sessions on different ways of singing the Psalms and acts of worship sometimes using material prepared or discussed during the day.
1.3 The Annual Celebration Day in October was held last year at Redland Park URC and was by all accounts an enjoyable and instructive day and one of congenial fellowship with old and new friends. Members from all parts of the country attended and it was an opportunity in particular to meet members of the relatively new South Western Branch. It was a great pleasure to have the Moderator of the South Western Province, Revd Raymond Adams, with us for the day and leading one of the sessions.
1.4 Our 1999 Celebration Day is to be in London at Bloomsbury Baptist Church on Saturday 23rd October. The event is not restricted to Guild members so why not join us for the day? The Honorary General Secretary will be pleased to send you details.
1.5 The Guild’s Organ Advisory Service has continued to give advice to Churches who would like to have comments from an impartial and experienced Advisor about the condition of their organ and suggestions as to any appropriate or necessary action. We have been greatly encouraged by the receipt of a small grant from the URC to enable us to help our Advisors to attend Conferences and so keep up-to-date with matters relevant to their expertise.
1.6 As we continue to pursue our aim to make the music of our worship more worthy and meaningful we again ask for your support and prayers and perhaps your active involvement.
1.7 Membership of the Guild is £4 per annum - £10 for Corporate (Church) membership. Membership forms and other information including details of the Organ Advisory Service and Redundant Organ Register are available from the Honorary General Secretary - John L Harding, Rainbow’s End, 105 Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich IP4 3NU (Telephone 01473 725075).
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