Pipe Organ: Christmas Eve 2007 Part One of Three

[doothless]

Why was not Ave Maria played on the organ? Toss that electric piano (or whatever it is) out on the street!

[Zachp333]

Prelude in C Major on Piano sounds great (minus the baby crying.

[Brenniman65]

A little constructive observances. The choir is having a hard time keeping up on the Silent Night as you're not giving them time to breath on such a quick tempo. You may also want to learn and try chords that modulate much better with the choral such as "Bb" concert for Silent Night and such. Keep up the great work, however.

[Zachp333]

What's th ename of the song played on piano? Are you going to play at Christmas Eve Mass this year? If so, could you please try to post by Christmas day, so I have one last little Christmas Eve music to listen to? Thanks!

[theaterpipe1]

@Zachp333

That is Bach's "Ave Maria" in C Major. I have the music for it and I am just going to learn it.

[theaterpipe1]

It was okay. You were a beginner, like I am.

I have a goal of playing the organ in the cathedral that will be built

[Philovideo]

I am 57 and would love to learn to play a pipe organ! I was advised by an organist who plays at a local Lutheran Church here in the Denver area to first take piano lessons even before considering playing an organ. The only other musical I played was a tuba in high school band for 4 years back in the late 60's. I love the sound of pipe organs and it really enhances the over all sound of a good choir! Keep up the good work. Thanks for posting!

[theaterpipe1]

That is a nice goal, I have a good goal of being the organist for the new cathedral in my hometown (not yet built). I will be the youngest organist in the diocese

[lostnyc2]

I disagree with the taking piano first idea, just start on the organ but sans the pedals at first- concentrait on just one manual to start with and simple stops.

The idea behind the piano is to remove the pedals and other manuals along with having to learn stops. Learn the music reading and one manual first then add the rest. Its ridiculous to learn on an 88 note piano and then have to relearn a bit by switching to a 58 or 61 note organ manual

[wljmrbill]

Very nice..keep your music going too. I was in medicience and music too and they help each other out...and your nerves at times too,,,Good Luck with both Careers...Bill

[lostnyc2]

Excellent!

What your church needs is one of those small console mounted mirrors adjusted so the organist can see behind/below without having to turn all the way 'round to look- kind of awkward having to do that.

[Zachp333]

Young and talented! Have a great Holiday 2008 Season!

[sondasam]

And Merry Christmas to you too! I am now preparing for the Christmas Eve Mass again (about 500 attending) while trying to finish final lab projects and papers. It's quite difficult to fit in practice time at the organ as a chemistry and pre-med major:)

[Zachp333]

Is your minor going to be in music/organ performance? You do need a mirror and a bigger balcony, so the choir can sit and have more room. I'd be making mistakes having people around me while playing, rather have them to my side!

[sondasam]

Nope. Actually I am just majoring in Chemistry and Biology because I will be graduating in three years. The balcony is definitely not ideal for a choir. Luckily, I can block the people out while they walk/stand around me. Also, the mirrors on the organ are very old and they tilt too far downward after I play for me to use them.

[coloradosparkyred2]

Yea I would Say facing away from the Alter is not quite the best situation. In the little town of Delano Minnesota at St. Peters church we have a nice big balcony. Our Counsil faces towards the side of the church so it is a quick glance to either side to see whats up. One quirk with our organ is that it is totally enclosed. The great and swell are both in the Swell Box. Kind of weird but it gives more control. And we organists all love control!

[DaveMatthewsSC]

Music history teaches us that J.S.Bach walked in the rain, mud, muck, and other nasty weather to listen to the idol of his youthtime, Dietrich Buxtehude. Bach was quoted in his elder age as saying Buxtehude was the inspiration and fuel for his passion of the pipe organ, "king of all instruments"

[mfdao]

how old r u?

[sondasam]

I am 18 years old.

[organpipe8]

Very nice - thanks for sharing †

[jdselfpropelled]

if u dont mind could you tell me who wrote alleluia and holy holy thanks ur very good for your age. i am 16 past and i am just starting to be an organist but i am not as good as you with the pedals yet.

[sondasam]

At the moment I am not sure who wrote the Alleluia (the music I played from was only the melody, I added the harmony on my own using the given chord structure). I'll need to research that particular piece a little further. I could send you a scan of it via email if you would like. The Holy, Holy may be found in any Catholic accompaniment book as the Holy, Holy for the mass in honor of Pope Paul VI.

[jdselfpropelled]

thank you i found the prelude its a nice piece. i am in the middle of finding holy holy. i would really appreacate it if you would send me alleluia via email as i cant seame to get it anywhere

thank you

have you played during services lately?

[Thepianoorganist]

how bout the heritage holy or the mass of creation, just look at your master index of your church accompaniment book

[jdselfpropelled]

if u dont mind could u tell me who wrote alleluia, holy holy andthe piece you played at the end thanks

[sondasam]

By the piece I played at the end I am assuming you mean the Postlude. The piece was composed by Dietrich Buxtehude and is his Praeludium in C Major. I only performed the Prelude section(there is a fugue and ciacona section as well). The catalog number for this is BuxWV 137. Good luck with the music:)

[orgelbehr1957]

Great job! A couple of hints from an old organist :) 1. Put a mirror on the back of the organ, and you'll be able to see the altar without trying to turn around... you'll SAVE your neck muscles. 2. Accompany the cantor on the swell when she sings the Gospel Verse. It will keep her and you on track and in time. Congratulations on doing so well on the organ :)

[danielwh1881]

Excellent , Keep up the GOod Work. Really enjoyed the music,

[sondasam]

Thank you so much for your wonderful complements. It made my day!:)

[Branchporter]

Great job, sondasam!

[pedalboy]

Hey for your first time out you handled that well! Christmas masses are a tough gig even for an experienced organist. My first one was when I was 14 and I was freaked out but I got through it. Way to go!