Values - Vision - Will

Many churches feel that they can't meet the requirements for commissioning a new pipe organ.  While some feel that they don't have enough money, others feel that they don't have enough space or the proper acoustics.  Others may believe that pipe organs are a thing of the past or that their liturgical philosophy is moving in a less traditional direction.  In all actuality, only three requirements need to be met; they are values, vision, and will.  

Values: First of all, you must value the real over the imitation.  While many things can be made to sparkle and shine, only a real diamond is a diamond, only real gold is gold.  Similarly, you must value austerity and sobriety over extravagance and garishness.   Many organists today are trading true artistry for electronics because they are beguiled with the limitless musical "candy store" that imitation instruments offer.  At this point in technology, we now have the capability to offer from one organ console an imitation of every organ stop made by every major builder all available at every pitch.   Even though that is technically possible, would that resemble a true artistically designed musical instrument or rather a garish display of frivolous excess?  The same is true when an average parish church with a seating capacity of 200 buys the 4 manual electronic complete with a massive console, a battery of Skinner style reed choruses, multiple 32' pedal stops, etc. The result is not really a grand and glorious instrument, but one that is entirely incongruous with reality along with any dimension of sober austerity.  The irony here is that a pipe organ was often thought of in days past as the extravagant option.

Vision: Secondly, you must envision all possibilities, temper that vision with good artistic taste, and ground it in reality.  For example, the 100 rank four manual instrument  in a church seating 200 is certainly not practical or tasteful (whether electronic or in real pipes).  Here is where pastors, church officials, musicians, architects, and organ builders should meet.  Too many times people make short sited decisions because not all parties take the time and effort to research a truly tasteful, long range, visionary plan.  The planning stage may even take longer than the building stage.  Additionally, for what ever reason, sometimes a common error is in thinking that a real pipe organ is simply not practical or even possible.  In response to that erroneous thinking, some churches take the easy way out and merely make a trip to the local music store to "pick out" a state-of-the-art electronic model that offers the organist the latest "dazzling" possibilities.  Unfortunately, they will soon discover that the "new" wears off rather quickly.

Will:  Finally, when we choose to value the real over the imitation and boldly envision truly inspiring possibilities, a church must discover the will to make the project a reality.  Rarely is a major undertaking such as commissioning a real pipe organ an effortless task not only to plan but also to bring to fruition. Amazing  things can be accomplished, however, when positive, creative, and dedicated people combine their spirit inspired energies.  As the old cliché states: where there is the will there is a way.  The results will not only be worth the effort, but will also represent and embody the best of our values, foresight, and wisdom surely for us in the present, but also for those of future generations yet to be born.