Church flavors

In the past week astonishingly new things have occurred for me. I am wearing new glasses instead of contacts, and I have a smartphone (or, at least a Moderately Intelligent phone).

Also: I am going to be accompanist for the Baptists. 

I've never played for Baptists before. Not a single song at their choir rehearsal tonight was familiar to me. But I don't think I've ever seen such a happy and perky choir rehearsal; the music was simple with just one or two lines, repetitive, and full of reassuring Jesus Loves You messages. One of my favorite ladies was bouncing markedly in her chair every time she laughed, and there was plenty of laughter. During the funniest bits Mrs. Bounce winked at new little me sitting off by the keyboard, all inclusive.

This area is positively blossoming with organists/accompanists, so positions have been a little hard to come by. This opening with the Baptists is a new development.

Playing for the Baptists might be of the same caliber of Newness as the glasses and cellphone, however. I'm used to music of the Episcopals (complex and sacred), or the Presbyterians (much-loved history and grandeur), or even the Lutherans or Methodists (accessible and boom-chunky), or the Christian Scientists (reflective and devoted). The Baptist music (contemporary and upbeat), brought to mind musical theatre, summer camp, maybe even the Muzak in the waiting room at the dentist's.

They're not using their organ, instead preferring an electric keyboard. So I won't be busting out Bach this Sunday, instead out shall come the sentimental Celtic hymn arrangements, the 7th-chord gospel richnesses. I do enjoy matching my music to various congregations. For most of the choir pieces, instead of someone accompanying at the keyboard, they use......a CD accompaniment track ("that just adds more interest for the listeners," explained Mrs. Choir Director earnestly) with soaring violins, bim-bim-cha drums, and sparkling sparklers.

So it was the easiest choir practice I ever attended. I played the melody line a few times to help people find their notes, and then sat and started writing this entry in my head.

There will be "Praise and Worship" music this Sunday, too. Practicing it, I've never seen so many dotted quarter notes in one sitting. I think this shall be fascinating this Sunday.

But a little pipe organ bird tells me that I might end up playing the historic tracker organ for the Christian Scientists in Ithaca. Because, amazingly, just today Mrs. Christian Scientist Organist offered me most of her Sundays from now until the summer! So, clap your hands clap clap your hands praise Jesus my lord wooowooowooo I think I'll be on their bench. This is just in time before I signed on full time with the electric keyboard and accompaniment CDs.