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Robert H. Owen, KCCH
Many people may qualify as heroes, but none
do it more quietly
and gracefully than the Lodge organist.
 Alvin D. “Ted” Gustin,
Organist and Choir Master of
Historic Christ Church, in Alexandria, Virginia, plays
at the House of the Temple’s pipe organ. Photo:
Elizabeth A. Williams, The Scottish Rite Journal
Whenever I go to Lodge, or any other Masonic meeting
for that matter, I can’t help but notice the event is
always greatly enhanced by the quiet, unassuming, dignified
musician,
the
organist, who is usually placed in some dark corner, almost
as an afterthought. He is, without a doubt, the most forgotten member,
although the most missed when he is not there to ply his trade.
Every
meeting
he is there early, sitting at the instrument, filling in the
background with his time-honored talent while the rest of us
are milling around, shaking hands, and looking for someone to
help us with our special project.
He always gets things off to a good start by playing
something that is appropriate to the occasion. He usually sets
the mood
for the evening and enhances the work, whether it is the usual
business meeting, Degree work, or some special occasion. When
the evening is over, he is still there playing away as the rest
of us file out the door and go to refreshment or our homes.
Appropriately, the Master and the other Lodge
officers, who go through their work reciting from memory all
the Masonic Ritual
that is appropriate for the evening, are held in high esteem,
but the musician, who has spent untold hours of his life learning
his trade, perfecting his technique, and polishing his style,
seldom receives the praise he so richly deserves. If an officer
misses a word here and there, most of us aren’t aware,
but let the musician hit a sour note, and everyone notices.
So, the next time you go to Lodge or Temple, don’t
forget to stop by the organist to tell him how much you appreciate
his
music. Not only will it make both of you feel a little better,
I am certain that the music will sound just a little sweeter
for your effort.
In the words of Martin Luther: “Next to the Word of God,
music deserves the highest praise. The gift of language combined
with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim
the Word of God in music.”
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Robert H. Owen
is a Past Master and has served as Secretary of both Gideon Lodge #84, Kingston,
N.H., and Ridge Masonic Lodge #398, Beverly Hills, Fla. Presently, he is
Marshall of Ceremonies in the Consistory of the Valley of Ocala, Fla. Contacts:
4400 N Elkcam Blvd., Beverly Hills, FL 34465-3030; slim@digitalusa.net |
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