The Organ & the Sacred Art of Music
Music is the pre-eminent sacred art of the Catholic Christian faith, ordered for the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 112). The Church Fathers of the Second Vatican Council affirmed that the Church’s musical tradition is “a treasure of inestimable value.” This treasure exists only when music sounds forth in time and when human beings are able to make music with a body, mind, spirit, and voice, because “worship is given a more noble form…when celebrated solemnly in song.” Handing on faith, worship, and tradition from one generation to another depends on a sustained practice spanning generations – a gift of praise from one generation to the next.
For more than a thousand years, the pipe organ has been the foundation of this musical tradition. Its richly varied tone “colors” and sustained tone make it uniquely capable of supporting congregational singing and filling a large sacred space with glorious music. Its rich sound allows the mind to bypass more temporal tunes and distractions and instead, be lifted untethered to the praise of God. The organ embodies Beauty, Truth, and Goodness in both its architecture and its sound.
Holy Angels has for many years been a model of excellence in its reverent care in celebrating the sacred liturgy, the source and summit of Christian life. Completing our beautiful church with a world-class pipe organ will bear fruit exponentially over the next century and beyond.
In 2007 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a document entitled, “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship”. This important statement addresses many aspects of Catholic Church Music. It has this to say about organs in churches:
87. Among all other instruments which are suitable for divine worship, the organ is “accorded pride of place” because of its capacity to sustain the singing of a large gathered assembly, due to both its size and its ability to give “resonance to the fullness of human sentiments, from joy to sadness, from praise to lamentation.” Likewise, “the manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God.”
88. In addition to its ability to lead and sustain congregational singing, the sound of the pipe organ is most suited for solo playing of sacred music in the Liturgy at appropriate moments. Pipe organs also play an important evangelical role in the church’s outreach to the wider community in sacred concerts, music series and other musical and cultural programs. For all of these reasons, the place of the organ should be taken into account from the outset in planning process for the building or renovation of churches.
120. In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man's mind to God and to higher things. (SC 120)
The United States Catholic Bishops make several important observations, with perhaps the most important being the reference to the organ’s ability to lead congregational singing – the instrument’s primary role in the liturgy.
Why is the organ the most effective instrument for this purpose? Because organ pipes are designed to support the human voice. What better way to lead people in song than with pipes designed to support and blend with their own voices? The clarity and intensity of the principle chorus sound (not necessarily the volume) generated without electronic amplification effectively inspires song. Unlike amplified sound coming at the assembly through speakers, the organ quite literally surrounds the assembly with ample sound via air moving through pipes – just like the human voice.
The organ also mimics other musical sounds – trumpets, oboes, strings, and flutes – which remain at the fingertips of the organist to enhance liturgical worship. The instrument’s resonance, expression, and capacity to sustain singing in worship underscore the Church’s claim that “the manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God” (Sing to the Lord, 87).
While other instruments and musical styles have their place in worship and praise, pride of place is given to the organ above all others. Gathering for the liturgy, especially on Sunday, the songs we sing are not for our ears alone – they are meant to move our hearts to join in expressing heartfelt prayer to God. God gives us the gift of music and song which we then return to Him in worship and prayer.
Given our large congregation and immense worship space, the organ is an invaluable tool and a true gift of praise for the parish.