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Masonic music?

Posted By Janus 17/02/2010 12:33:35
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Janus
 Posted 17/02/2010 12:33:35
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Hi all good people.

Music is a part of the workings here in Switzerland and normaly a short peice of music is played at different moments. It's almost exclusively classical music by one of our late brothers. (Motzart comes to mind)

I am not a big fan of classical music but I don't really mind. I just thought that there must be modern music that is written by masons or that could be deemed OK in a masonic lodge.

Do you use music in your work? Is it other than classical music? If so what?


Janus

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lauderdale
 Posted 17/02/2010 12:54:10
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A few of our Lodges do have music but sadly the one I belong to does not although I have suggested the use of some nice recorded Organ Music to Process into the Temple and for the Recessional too. Instead of the Psalms which are currently sung alas are not the epitome of euphony in most cases, and I have to admit I am not a good singer myself. The services of an Organist are worth their weight in gold if a Lodge is fortunate to have one.
Janus
 Posted 17/02/2010 12:57:49
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Most of the music in our lodge is played from CD. We have a bro who is a proffessional trumpet player and occasionaly he plays live which is really nice. Strictly classical again.

I guess it's not Hammond B3 stuff, or?


Janus

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Vintagemalt
 Posted 17/02/2010 13:28:17
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Hi Janus,

Maybe I am just fortunate - I have visited about a 15 different UGLE Lodges in Southern England. I have yet to visit a Lodge that does not have an organist.

Some are very good indeed and manage to introduce an element of humour, when appropriate of course. I remember one playing 'Congratulations' when waiting for the candidate to return to the Lodge room. That is just one example there have been many!

  Stephen   

seekeroftruth
 Posted 17/02/2010 14:58:24
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Hi Janus,

We have music as well (either from cds or live from a piano). The choice of music varies according to the designated "Music" brother. He is free to choose what he thinks is appropriate for the degree being worked (e.g. 1st with/without initiation) and the environment that is to be created. Mostly classical composers but I have listened to jazz/african/tibetan chant music being also played here and there within a ceremony.I have also witnessed a degree working where the music played was experimental modern stuff. The old guard did not like it at all as they were used to a more traditional selection. I personally found it interesting but at times distracting.


"Die Freimäurerei war immer"
G. E. Lessing
eastbeast
 Posted 20/02/2010 17:09:02
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We are also very lucky in having a regular guest Organist who has a very good SOH.

I remember 'Little Donkey' being played at my Initiation.......

A very busy man, he plays or goes to meetings nearly every night!!!!!

__________________________________________

U.G.L.E.

Lodge of Three Grand Principles 441 (Cambridge)
Chapter of Fidelity 441
Norwich Conclave 478 OSM

I've seen Mike's Balls.....

sjdobby
 Posted 18/05/2010 17:34:38
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Vintagemalt (17/02/2010)
Hi Janus,

Maybe I am just fortunate - I have visited about a 15 different UGLE Lodges in Southern England. I have yet to visit a Lodge that does not have an organist.

Some are very good indeed and manage to introduce an element of humour, when appropriate of course.

More than once our organist at Unity plays a brief chorus of "Heigh-ho, heigh-ho" from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" when the Stewards leave the Lodge room to go and sort out the dining room.  Quite appropriate at the moment as there are seven of us Stewards at Unity this year.

Simon

UGLE / Lodge of Unity #132, Ringwood, Hampshire
Initiated Mar-2008, Passed Dec-2008, Raised Apr-2009
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Cheshire
 Posted 03/03/2011 16:13:15
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sjdobby (18/05/2010)
Vintagemalt (17/02/2010)
Hi Janus,

Maybe I am just fortunate - I have visited about a15 different UGLE Lodges in Southern England. I have yet to visit a Lodge that does not have an organist.

Some are very good indeed and manage to introduce an element of humour, when appropriate of course.


More than once our organist at Unity plays a brief chorus of "Heigh-ho, heigh-ho" from "Snow White and theSeven Dwarfs"when theStewards leave the Lodge room to go and sort out the dining room. Quite appropriate at the moment as there are seven of us Stewards at Unity this year
.



hahaha :D


:)
Fire Mist
 Posted 03/03/2011 18:17:29
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We have music too... mostly classic classical. i.e. compsers of the late 17th thourgh the 18th century and some early 19th c.

There are a couple of pieces from the 20th c, but with the same attitudes. These pieces are used mostly in the meditation pauses in the ritual such as after a special ceremony.

There are not that many musitions so we rely on CD's and a unit capable of handling multiple ones at a time.

If you want to be free, there is but one way; it is to guarnatee an equally full measure of liberty to all your neighbors --Carl Schurz
Darylee, 3°; (I am a women in Ohio, USA) Columbus,OH ; (Renaissance Lodge #5, Orient of Detroit)
My posts are my personal opinions. The Opinions expressed herein don't represent the opinions of my Lodge, Grandlodge or any other Masonic jurisdiction. American Co-Masonry; The American Federation of Human Rights: http://www.co-masonry.org/
Rich
 Posted 05/07/2011 16:32:05
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I am the musician for Aurora Lodge #156 in Aurora, Colorado. I started about 2years ago after not playing piano for LOTS of years. I play piano at the Lodge,and have a Yamaha Electronic keyboard at home for practice. Have taken it toLodge recently and the members seem to really like the variations in sounds fordifferent songs that can be used.
I vary the music used during different sections of the degrees. For example: Isometimes use "Mack the Knife" when the Tiler enters, and sometimeplay "So Long its Been Good to Know Ya" when he leaves. I use hymnsfor Bible openings/closings, and other songs from other time periods dependingon the situation.
I often use "Welcome to My World" when candidates are being escortedinto the Lodge...since it has the words, "Knock and the door will open ,Seek and you will find, Ask and you'll be given, The key to this world ofmine" which seem appropriate for the moment.

Here is a list of the songs I have used:
Mack the Knife
El Paso
Londonderry Air
So Long (It’s been good to know yuh)
Almost Persuaded
Me and My Shadow
Around the World
Welcome to My World
The Happy Wanderer
Hi Ho Hi Ho
Are You Lonesome Tonight
Auld Lang Syne
You’ll Never Walk Alone
No Man is an Island
Release Me
Loch Lomond
Maori Farewell Song
Aloha Oe
Bye Bye Blues
America The Beautiful
America
Battle Hymn of the Republic
Pomp and Circumstance
When the Saints go Marching In
Whistle While You Work
Waltzing Matilda
Climb Every Mountain
Caissons Go Rolling Along
Anchors Aweigh
Marine’s Hymn
Air Force Song
Amazing Grace
Rock of Ages
Faith of Our Fathers
How Great Thou Art
Nearer My God to Thee
Sweet Hour of Prayer
Playels’s Hymn (Master Mason Degree)
Holy Holy Holy
We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder
Star Spangled Banner


I would be interested in hearing what other musicians are playing during theceremonies.

Sincerely

Rich Wall


 

I made the type a little larger for us older members.  Tom

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