White Rose - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

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FOR ALL YOUR DESIGN & PRINTING REQUIREMENTS Ernest Cummins Colour & Commercial Printers Over 100 Years of Print Ladies Evening Menus Ritual Books • Place Cards Toast Lists • Circulars • Stationery 385 Canal Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD2 1AW Tel: 01274 582555 Fax: 01274 582666 Email: cummins@btconnect.com www.ernestcumminsprinters.co.uk 32 White Rose Masonic News Spring 2013
Gordon Smith PPGSwdB of De Grey & Ripon No 387 and Linton Lodge No 9444 makes the case for an Organist at Lodge meetings PULLING OUT THE STOPS Of all the liberal arts and sciences, music must surely rank high in the conduct of a Lodge ceremony. The Province is blessed with Brethren of many talents, particularly of a musical nature, having provided organists of a calibre to hold Grand Lodge appointments. There are however, many jobbing organists across the Province, endeavouring to provide music for Lodge ceremonies. Not all these organists are professionally trained, but will have drifted into playing the organ from an ability to play the piano. All have a common aim, which is to play all the right notes if not necessarily in the right order. The scarcity of Lodge organists has been likened to the writer as ‘hen’s teeth’ or ‘rocking horse droppings’ and as time progresses, the situation is not going to get better. Fewer young people are learning the keyboard and this will be reflected in future Freemasons. Even now, I know of some lodges where a CD and laptop are the order of the day. In my view this is a shame, there is no substitute for live music in a Lodge, no matter how good or bad. An organist’s mistakes are usually good for a little levity after all! An organist’s duties can be quite tedious, having to sit on a stool, probably without a backrest, be attentive to the ritual throughout the ceremony as well as playing both before and after the ceremony and at the festive board. No taking a quiet snooze as some seniors are seen to do! The position of organist is not always one held by a member of the Lodge; they tend to be nomadic or peripatetic and are often called upon when visiting a Lodge. An anomaly I have come across is where the office of organist is a progressive one within the Lodge, whether he can play or not. It is weird to be playing for a ceremony whilst the non-playing organist sits alongside you. My own Masonic career as an organist began when I left the Chair of Studley Lodge No 6364 in 1991 and became a Founder Member of Linton Lodge No 9444. I was volunteered as Founding Organist, a position I still hold. At the same time I was asked to play for Stability Lodge, Leeds and as ‘guest organist’, did so for 12 years, travelling from my home in Ripon. I was told at one time that my attendance record was the best in the Lodge! During this time I also played for Zetland Lodge No 1311, Leeds. Having moved to Ripon I joined De Grey and Ripon Lodge No 387 and yes, you’ve guessed it, immediately became the Lodge organist and still am. I played for Corona Chapter No 2922 for several years and still help out at Vale of Nidd Lodge No 4984 and Falcon Lodge No 1416, Thirsk (Yorks. N & ER). This potted history is by no means typical of every Lodge organist but I am sure many of my fellow musicians will be in accord with the situation. Individually, I am sure that the Lodges to which I have referred have been grateful to have music to accompany their ceremonies. I feel however that the position of organist is low down in the ‘pecking order’ and that more recognition could be given to the office by Province, perhaps given mentoring as other ranks. If not then we could see more and more electronic music in ceremonies (‘a good thing,’ I hear some say?). I believe it will be a sad day for Masonry should this be the case. White Rose Masonic News Spring 2013 33
Page 1 and 2: White Rose FORTY SEVENTH EDITION -
Page 3 and 4: Yorkshire, W R Masonic Activities L
Page 5 and 6: W Bro John Boyington CBE, PPSGD Wha
Page 7 and 8: R W Provincial Grand Master, John K
Page 9 and 10: FOUNDERS’ JEWELS The heritage of
Page 11 and 12: SPEEDY RESPONSE TO COMMUNITY GROUP
Page 13 and 14: the course of her presentation she
Page 15 and 16: FROM BATLEY TO BERKSHIRE W Bro Ceci
Page 17 and 18: 60 YEARS ENJOYING FREEMASONRY Edmun
Page 19 and 20: IN THE CHAIR AGAIN, AFTER 50 YEARS
Page 21 and 22: 300 years of Masons in Bradford The
Page 23 and 24: GRANT FOR VILLAGE HALL At the recen
Page 25 and 26: MARK MASTER MASONS SHOW THEIR WORTH
Page 27 and 28: ANOTHER NEWMAN IN THE CHAIR W Bro J
Page 29 and 30: MARK CELEBRATES CENTENARY BINGLEY M
Page 31: A DOUBLE STAR AT KEIGHLEY EDWARDIAN
Page 35 and 36: WHAT DO THE OFFICERS OF THE PROVINC
Page 37 and 38: LIFELITES ARE A LEADING LIGHT FOR Y
Page 39 and 40: ROYAL AWARDS CEREMONY RECOGNISES MA

White Rose - Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding

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