The Best Seat in the House

Recently I had the opportunity to serve as organist for a service in the beautiful acoustic of Community of Christ’s Temple, with a large congregation that nearly filled the 1600-seat sanctuary. This denomination loves to sing in four-part – and more – harmony, and on this special occasion (January 17, 2010) the congregation sang with special gusto. It is always such a thrill to play on occasions such as this – in my opinion, I have the best seat in the house!

It’s the best seat because all the singers are facing toward the front of the sanctuary. Since the organ is situated in the choir loft, higher than the sanctuary and rostrum floor, I get to hear all the voices of the congregation in an acoustical “sweet spot” as the voices from the sanctuary floor and those in the balcony rise and blend together in joyful song. Hearing it, and participating in it, is inspirational, thrilling, and sometimes moves me to tears.

Being in the best seat in the house is a privilege that also carries a lot of responsibility – something I take very seriously. An organist in this situation must fill many roles: leader, listener, sometimes singer, and always very active participant.

As a leader, one has to mentally be a step ahead of the congregation – for example, looking at the words they are about to sing, to provide appropriate accompaniment to enhance the mood of the text; anticipating where they will need time to breathe, to allow appropriate amounts of time at punctuation points and after stanzas.

As a listener, one has to be aware when the congregation’s tempo is dragging and be prepared to do something to more effectively lead them; to hear when they are struggling with an unfamiliar melody and be prepared to “solo” it on a different manual; to appreciate when they are singing especially well and continue to do whatever is helping them to do that.

The best part for me comes when things are going wonderfully, and I can be a singer – I become a member of the congregation-as-choir. Singing the text with them helps me to appreciate the poetry more fully in the moment. And sometimes, when I hear the congregation singing really well, I am able to completely drop the organ accompaniment: in that magical moment, the Spirit’s wonderful surprise to us all, the congregation becomes its own leader, and I am just another voice contributing to the corporate song. I am transported … and I’m singing through tears of joy.

I am incredibly blessed by these moments. I hope you find such moments of blessing in your musical ministry.

—Jan Kraybill