On Saturday, November 3, Joby Bell, University Organist at Appalachian State University, came to Christ United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill to lead a workshop on tips and tricks in hymn playing. Over 20 organists, young and old, were present. He led it in an informal style, encouraging questions from the attendees. Several hymns, including ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty’, ‘Holy God, We Praise Thy Name’, and ‘Praise to the Lord, the Almighty’ were used to demonstrate techniques such as effective hymn leading, tempo, pulsing, rhythm, and registration. Bell also demonstrated, with good humor, ways to lead a congregation astray, and he solicited ideas on how to avoid those issues to be a more effective leader from the bench. He also asked for volunteers to demonstrate their ideas in hymn-playing. In the question and answer session, some great questions were asked, including what to do if someone were to complain the organ was too loud (watch the tuning, and get information about why this perception is made), how to break up repeated bass (pedal) notes, and how to play more pianistic hymnody on the organ. It was a very effective workshop.
