Monday (8/XI/21) I played for a funeral at the Baptist Church for whom I’ve been interim organist. About 30 minutes before the service I began playing various quiet, meditative/reflective pieces to help set a peaceful mood. Among such pieces as Bach: “Ich ruf zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ,” “Alle Menschen müssen sternben,” Peeters “Monastic Peace,” even Franck’s “Panis Angelicus,” among other similar pieces. A considerably large number of people arrived (compared to the Sundays I’ve been playing) and as a result the noise level had reached such a point I stopped in the middle of the Franck. And stared out from the console in disgust. Of course, nobody noticed because they were so loud.

Is it any wonder why I have decided to dump this gig at the end of November (yes, I know, right at the beginning of Advent — not that they really care about what THAT means)? My only regret is that I’ll be without an organ, again, on which to practise; unless I can work something out with the Episcopal church in which I had been practising up until November of last year. That’s another idiotic story as well.

I have one more gig for the first two Sundays in January at a large Congregational church on 3 manual Austin of recent vintage with two anthems (separate conductor) with communion (1st Sunday of the month). After that I’m done. I just don’t enjoy playing for the church — any church — at this point. Oh, and from what I’ve seen from previous bulletins the hymnal is large and full of “modern” tunes which they seem to like to use. Another reason to break away from this torture. We’ll see.