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Music

Van Quinn, Organist/Choirmaster

"Be still, then, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46)

"Don't just do something! Stand there!" This surprising reversal of the most thoroughly modern, pragmatic, and secular of our popular slogans points to one of the deepest and most urgent imperatives of our lives: the need for openness to the leading of God in moments of genuine transcendence. One of the most pervasive misconceptions in liturgical thought is the notion that one must always be saying, or singing, or doing something in order to 'participate' in worship. While most of our music making at the Chapel of the Cross involves direct and robust participation of all members of the congregation, there are many opportunities for disciplined and prayerful listening, and active identification with musicians making an offering to God on behalf of all: the organ voluntaries, anthems and motets, occasional choral settings of the 'ordinary' of the Eucharist and the canticles, as well as special kinds of services in which the holiness of beauty can be experienced in heightened ways. Our music is never intended simply to entertain but always aims to draw people into the deeper realities of God. Here are three specific upcoming opportunities for this active spiritual listening.

Compline
"Ye that by night stand in the house of the Lord, lift up your hands in the Holy place." (Psalm 134)

On Sunday, October 7, at 9:30 p.m., we will begin the weekly (during fall and spring university terms) observance of Compline. While Compline is, in a sense, the simplest of services, our observances will the most radical of our offerings for active, prayerful, spiritual listening and the indwelling of sacred sound. The service will be sung entirely by a choir which has been gathered solely for this purpose. The Office of Compline originated and was developed in Southern Europe and the Middle East during the first six centuries of the Christian era. It was the last of the monastic 'offices' of the day, 'completing' the work of the day which had already gathered the community for worship at six specific times over the course of the day. The quietness of the late evening hour, reflection on the course of the day, anticipation of the opportunities or dangers of the coming day, and perhaps anxiety about the darkness and possible dangers of the night itself were all addressed by scripture, prayer, and hymns. The service consists as it always has in the singing of psalms, short passages of scripture called 'chapters,' an 'office' hymn, the Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis), collects, and a hymn extolling the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The music consists for the most part of Gregorian chant and polyphony. Our service will be offered in a darkened church illuminated by candles and adorned as of old by the sacred smell of incense. All are welcome to this intensely spiritual service. It is hoped that this offering will be especially compelling, as it has been elsewhere, to many of the thousands of students whose lives are lived in close proximity to our church. The service of Compline lasts about 25 minutes and will be followed by a brief organ recital.

Bach's Lunch
"There let the pealing organ blow ... Dissolve me into extasies, And bring all Heav'n before mine eyes." (John Milton)

One of the treasures of the Episcopal Church in our region is the great Kleuker organ in our church. A large and complete instrument, our organ is capable of rendering the whole of the vast repertoire of worthy music composed for the 'king of instruments' as well as giving soulful and commanding leadership of the music used in our services. This fall we will offer once again a series of noontime recitals on this organ. Lasting about 25-30 minutes the recitals will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. on five Wednesdays. As the pun suggests, listeners are welcome to eat their lunch (please watch the celery and carrot sticks!) in the nave of the church during these recitals.

October 17 -- Dr. Wylie S. Quinn III
October 24 -- Thomas Bloom; Watts Street Baptist Church, Durham
October 31 -- Alexander Anderson; Interim, University Presbyterian Church
November 7 -- Kevin Kersteter; St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Raleigh
November 14 -- Susan Moeser; UNC, Chapel Hill

© 2001: Chapel of the Cross