Michael W. Brooks, 32°, K.C.C.H.
13291 Kenroyal Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131-1934

Music for the Scottish Rite Degrees is now available on the Internet.

We performers love our audiences. It's what propels us into music, acting, public speaking, or holding an office in a service club, church, or Masonic organization. We feel we can use our talents to make a difference for the Rite. Why would we put our egos on the line if we didn't have that confidence in ourselves to excel in our tasks? But we all have a certain insecurity about our performance, and we look for the reviews. We are also disappointed when there are no reviews or audiences to see the show.

Part 1 of the Scottish Rite Music Program, distributed two years ago, is a three-CD set, consisting of two audio compact disks and one data disk of music and information relevant to the performance of the Scottish Rite Degrees. The original disks received mixed reviews. Some Valleys have had success using the recordings. Some Valleys have taken the music and expanded it with their own musical presentations. Other Valleys say "What are you talking about?" They seem not to know the disks even exist.

Well, this is the second act for the Scottish Rite Music Program. For all of you who missed the original "opening" during the 2001 Bicentennial Session period, we're now taking the show "on the road" or at least onto the "Internet highway." This is your second chance to see the show. The Scottish Rite Music Program is now on the web at www.scottishritemusic.org. We're hoping for large audiences and lots of reviews. Just visit the site, look around, let us know what you think by contacting me at the address at the head of this article or via the contact information on the web site. Most importantly, put the Scottish Rite Music Program to its best use for your Valley. It is sure to enhance your Degree presentations. That site includes all the music from the original 2001 production. There are no restrictions on the duplication and additional distribution of these disks within the Scottish Rite. Also, two copies have been sent to each Valley. Additional copies are available from the Supreme Council.

Traditional and original music have been arranged with an ear towards flexibility. A single organist or pianist, organ and choir, or organ and a single vocalist can play the arrangements. The arrangements have additional instrumental accompaniment and stand-alone instrumental arrangements for use where an organist might not be available. The music has references to the scripts, and the stage directions also have references back to the music. Note of some incidental music is included but not recorded.

The music is offered as a tool to enhance the presentation of the Degrees. Each Valley has the option to adopt, modify, or create its own musical presentations. All music arrangements and compositions were created with the music software program Finale 2002 by Coda Technologies. Printable versions were prepared in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. Both programs have free versions, which allow individual users to read and easily modify this material to fit their needs. We also included the original music produced by the Supreme Council in 1860 by Bro. Matthew Cooke, 30°, which is also in Acrobat PDF format.

Part 2 of the Scottish Rite Music Program will expand the number of arrangements and recordings available for general use in the Degrees and some other ceremonies of the Scottish Rite. There are also recordings of some sound effects and off-stage voices. We hope to improve awareness and to supply you with these tools through increased communications. With additional suggestions from musicians, sound engineers, and those doing the Degrees, we will all produce better shows with better reviews.

The web site has complete instructions on how to use this material to produce your own road show. We also include suggestions on the use of mp3 players to help those Valleys that have no musicians. The web site's message board will allow us to share ideas on music selection, audio, and performance issues. It should also give an opportunity to make new friends and work groups.

So visit www.scottishritemusic.org. Share your ideas about Scottish Rite Masonry and get on with the show!