Organ during Lent?

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Lazerlike42

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I do all the music for Mass at the ole’ college, but I never have quite been sure what rules, if any, exist about what sort of things ought to be done during Lent. I thought I heard someone say once that the organ wasn’t supposed to be used during Lent. What’s the situation?
 
I see no reason why it should not be used. It comes down to local preferences and local musical abilities. There are many songs for Lent that work well on the Organ.
 
Lazerlike42 said:
I do all the music for Mass at the ole’ college, but I never have quite been sure what rules, if any, exist about what sort of things ought to be done during Lent. I thought I heard someone say once that the organ wasn’t supposed to be used during Lent. What’s the situation?
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The rule is simple, during Lent music is used only to support singing, So you play what needs to be played so your choir/congregation can sing. The organ still has place of pride whether in Lent or in Ordinary Time.
 
In our parish, if I remember correctly, the organist will not play any preludes or postludes on the organ. It is total silence. He will use it for hymns and supporting congregation during the mass, though. He tries to keep everything as subdued as possible during Lent.
 
My understanding is that in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass during Lent there is no organ allowed except on feast days and Holy Thursday up to the Gloria. After the Gloria there is no organ until the midnight Mass for Easter.

I could be wrong but that is how I understand it.
 
The organ is supposed to be pretty much tacit during Lent. (E.g. no preludes, postludes, Offertory meditations etc.). I can be used to minimally support the choir. When it comes to the Triduum, the last time the organ is played full force is the Gloria on Holy Thursday. The organ can give the choir “keys” (sotto vocce) so that we can be in tune.
 
Phemie said:
The rule is simple, during Lent music is used only to support singing, So you play what needs to be played so your choir/congregation can sing. The organ still has place of pride whether in Lent or in Ordinary Time.
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This is pretty much what the GIRM for my country says, the organ or other instruments may only be used “to support singing”. And that’s all it says - there’s nothing about minimising their use or keeping them low-key, which is not to say those things aren’t appropriate but just that the GIRM doesn’t spell them out.
 
All the organs in this neck of the woods are being used for slow, statly, sometimes mournful tunes.
 
What would Stations and Benediction be without:

“Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” ??

With the organ, of course 👍
 
Lazerlike42 said:
I do all the music for Mass at the ole’ college, but I never have quite been sure what rules, if any, exist about what sort of things ought to be done during Lent. I thought I heard someone say once that the organ wasn’t supposed to be used during Lent. What’s the situation?
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This is what Paschale Solemnitatis, the circular letter regarding Lent, Holy Week and Easter, says regarding the organ (and flowers–they’re on the same line):
  1. "In Lent, the altar should not be decorated with flowers, and musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing." [20] This is in order that the penitential character of the season be preserved.
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This document, released in 1988, is still in force today.

I hope this helps.
 
You will be happy toknow that the organ at New Parish was used for nothing but supporting congregational singing. And I was in a singing mood, so the congregation needed all the support it could get. 😉
 
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