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How to deal with noise congregations ...

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
During the prelude time at my church, the din is absolutely awful. The chatter from the pews gets so loud at times I can't even hear myself playing. So why even prepare a nice prelude anymore?

I did once, years ago, play a very liturgical version of Yankee Doodle Dandee as the prelude, and only one person caught on (an organist and member of my choir) ... That's how bad it really is.

So what can be done? How can we garner better interest in the prelude music before services? I feel that the prelude is rightfully part of the service - it is supposed to be a time for medication and self preparation for worship. The fellowship has it's opportunities after the service over coffee and other treats.

Lars A. ♫
 

Dorsetmike

Member
Something loud and attention getting, now if you had the Wimborne Trompete's & gave a good blast of Gigout's Grande Choer dialogue - opening 59 seconds attached -

View attachment gigoutex58916.mp3

Can you connect an audio input/CD player to your organ or other amplifier; I believe you have a copy of the CD in question from your visit here. As soon as the volume of chatter reaches a level that annoys you, start that track with full volume selected (ensure you have some ear defenders handy) Threaten to repeat each week the noise level continues to be unacceptable

I've always thought that would make an excellent ring tone - except I don't have a mobile phone.
 
Last edited:

wljmrbill

Member
Had a similar problem years ago which also upset the priest too..... so I would start the prelude if they were not quiet I would stop playing and when they shut up then continue and at times when they might be to loud( as Episcopal generally require quiet and no chatting durning the service) he would rang a very loud bell...after a few episodes of this and a firm lecture and a plaque to state quiet in the nave fo rthe congregation we never had that problem again. But then he was very strict and I was also with the choirs regarding this issue.
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Something loud and attention getting, now if you had the Wimborne Trompete's & gave a good blast of Gigout's Grande Choer dialogue - opening 59 seconds attached

I remember that stop ... I only have a weak reed in the swell box :cry:


Can you connect an audio input/CD player to your organ or other amplifier;

Nope - it's a pipe organ and the console is 34 years old, so no midi connections either.

We do have a sound system in the church with a CD player - problem is it is not located in close proximity to the organ console.
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Sometimes the choir members are worse than the parishioners. The choir resides near the organ console on a side gallery of the church. The church has a central altar and 7 rows of pews on either side facing each other. Then there is always one nut on one side to yells to her friend clear on the other side "hi there Minnie!". Arghhhhh!!

Some of the choir members are so connected to their iPhones that they just can't put them down for one minute without checking sports scores or searching/playing youtube videos. I have, more than once, given very stern glares to those people. I have to keep reminding them that the mics over the choir amplify 'everything' 10 fold to the downstairs pews ... At my direction, nobody is allowed to leave the gallery during the postlude, so at least in the choir area, it is quiet.

Unrelated to this subject, but when I was bowling the other night there was this idiot with an iPhone in one had and the ball in the other - he was talking while trying to bowl the ball down the lane ... the ball went into the gutter. I mean, life doesn't end if they aren't chatting to someone 24/7. Yeesh.

Years ago, when the first digital watches came out, most every man had one - and one by one, at about on the hour, each one would individually "beep beep" and we could hear this beep beep, beep beep, beep beep for about a minute from all over the congregation.

These days, someone always forgets to put their phones on stun mode and of course, during the prelude, one rings and rings and rings and rings and rings .. always a lady with a purse the size of New Jersey and naturally the phone is always at the bottom. This happened once after the prelude was over ... I immediately played the old familiar Nokia ring tone ... :lol: ... the entire congregation busted out in laughter.

Lars A.
 

JONESEY

New member
We had a problem with one service ending and people encouraged to stay for a coffee and a chat. All good in theory (meant a cup of java for me before I start), but if the first service didn't finish on time, the chatting and coffee could continue right up to the start of our service.

Our Rector then decided if this happened, at the start of the service there would be 2-3 mins of reflective music to give the congregation time to prepare for worship. This was announced, and well respected.

Thankfully I don't have loud ringtones to contend with, but great response to that one Lars - bet that shamed the owner of the phone nicely!!!
 
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