In my parish, the organ goes silent during Advent. That’s the way the priests at St. John Vianney Parish, Northlake, Illinois, like it. And so it is fine with me. But some folks don’t approve.
Frankly, for several years when I sang in the parish choir, I feared the start of Advent and the silence of the organ. Like many Catholic parishes, the congregation at St. John Vianney is a bit chorally challenged; the organ covers a multitude of vocal transgressions. Without the pipes playing, my flat notes and missed entrances became more obvious.
Apparently this “no organ” policy is a bit of a controversy in the universe of Catholic parishes. Some parishes unplug the organ entirely, some use it is moderation and some go about their normal musical practices. (I recognize that in the parishes that already have fallen into guitars and tambourines, this simply isn’t an issue. Long ago I was in one of those choirs, but that is another story for another time.)
I’m not a theologian, so I looked for a rule to govern this situation. According to Fr. Edward McNamara LC, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University (and a really great guy): “According to the Ceremonial, No. 41, the organ and musical instruments should be used with a moderation that is consistent with the season’s character of joyful expectancy but in a way that does not anticipate the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord.”
Like many things in church, intention is everything. It seems to me that idea expressed in “No. 41” is that we shouldn’t use the most joyous music until the blessed event of the savior’s birth is upon us. Don’t play “Hail to the Chief” until the chief shows up.
I expect this change of musical practice is lost on many people. But it helps me to anticipate that moment at Midnight Mass, December 25, when the organ pipes shutter to life and I get a little chocked up knowing that Christ is born. It was worth waiting for.
