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Music in the Degrees

Mac

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Do any of you use music between the opening and closing gavels on a degree night? I spoke with a brother from Montana, who showed me that his older Monitor included music that could be played (optional) during the longform Fellowcraft. I've heard stories of music being played during circumambulation, etc.

Have any of you experienced this in a Texas Lodge?
 
Bro_Vick

Bro_Vick

Moderator
Premium Member
A lot of my books are still in storage, but if I remember correctly the monitor I purchased from 1890 there was music in it that doesn't exist now. If my memory serves me correctly you could sing or simply say the words, and it of course had an organ part with it. I think that was gone by the time PGM Lightfoot's monitor came out.

Once I get my stuff out of storage, I will look it up and send you a message.

S&F,
-Bro Vick
 
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cemab4y

cemab4y

Premium Member
My home lodge in KY, has an organ. We had an organist for many years, who would play a tune during the degree ceremonies. Sadly, many lodges have lost their organ, and live music played in degree work, is disappearing fast. I attended lodge in Fredericksburg VA. Lodge #4 has an excellent sound system. Prior to every meeting, including regular stated meetings, the lodge will dim the lights, and play a short selection of classical music. This enables the membership to relax, meditate, and makes for a more serious and contemplative mood, during the meeting. I like this custom, and I wish more lodges would emulate it.

Maybe in Texas, you could play some Roy Acuff or old Hank Williams tunes.
 
Mac

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
cemab4y said:
My home lodge in KY, has an organ. We had an organist for many years, who would play a tune during the degree ceremonies. Sadly, many lodges have lost their organ, and live music played in degree work, is disappearing fast. I attended lodge in Fredericksburg VA. Lodge #4 has an excellent sound system. Prior to every meeting, including regular stated meetings, the lodge will dim the lights, and play a short selection of classical music. This enables the membership to relax, meditate, and makes for a more serious and contemplative mood, during the meeting. I like this custom, and I wish more lodges would emulate it.

Maybe in Texas, you could play some Roy Acuff or old Hank Williams tunes.
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This sounds like an excellent idea, brother. The first thing I'd have to do is somehow figure out an alternate lighting system than what we have now. Our Lodge room is lit by BRIGHT fluorescent lighting. I think some tall lamps spaced evenly around the room would allow for a dim atmosphere for this kind of thing, though.

I may pursue this further. Thanks for the idea, brother!
 
Mac

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Brent Heilman said:
My lodge has an organ but no one to play it. I think music would be a welcome addition.
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We have an old out of tune piano with some bad action on the higher keys. I can play a few simple tunes, but if we had a virtuoso who could somehow help us work music into our work, I would pay personally to have it retuned.
 
Mac

Mac

Moderator
Premium Member
Beathard said:
We used to have a barbershop quartet that sang the funeral dirge in 4 part harmony.
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Now that's interesting. (assuming they could actually sing :p )

Is it currently acceptable for music to be played during circumambulation? If so, does anyone on here do it? What kind of music do you play?

I'm assuming a song of memorial would fit during parts of the MM degree.
 
J

Jacob Johnson

Registered User
I'd love to see more music in degree work and regular meetings. There's a ton of music specifically intended for the lodge by Mozart, Sibelius, and Haydn, and there's tons of appropriate music out there to find. Our lodge has a piano, but as every wall in our lodge is an outside wall, it is HORRIBLY out of tune. I play a bit of piano, myself. Definitely not a virtuoso, though.
 
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