The Organ Forum

No, I guess it doesn't, as it was a good two or three years of being atheist before I left the church.  But in the end I felt I couldn't support something that I didn't have an affinity to.  I play at home for pleasure these days. And happier :)

At the beginning of communion, the choir will usually sing one or two unaccompanied works.  Once they're done, and have left to receive communion themselves, I do some quiet improvising.  I find that its easiest to improvise during communion when everybody else is down in the sanctuary, and there's nobody looking over your shoulder or trying to talk to you while you're playing.  I experiment with different stops or variations that I wouldn't normally think of.  The improvisation is basically a big modulation from the key of the communion piece to the key of the recessional hymn.  

Every once in a while, when the church is full, I'll play an actual piece (Priere a Notre Dame from Suite Gothique is a favorite, Langlais' Prelude Modal, stuff like that).

We take communion every Sunday.  The congregation sings a Communion Hymn, the Elders give a meditation and I play anything from light classics to hymn arrangements to contemporary songs.  This part of the service takes about 7 minutes.

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Acts 2:38
Psalm 150 (KJV)

I play organ in a UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST/American Baptist chruch--dual affiliation... We take communion on the 1st sunday of every month.  We always do a 'communion' hymn' [congregational singing]  like "let us break bread", "Let us tongues and talents employ","Come share the Lord",then after the 'words of insitution' and the invitation to the table is given then I play music until everyone has had communion.  I play hymns like "fill my cup, Lord","Amazing grace","Theres just something about that name", "just as I am", "The Savior is waiting","Jesus loves me, this I know".  Hymns that people know and like and hopefully will bring back happy memories. Our church is small so I usually only get to play ONE hymn!

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Anthony , In Hayward, CA

I have started to play a medley of a light classic and a contemporary piece.  I don't care too much for it, but the congrigation likes it.

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Acts 2:38
Psalm 150 (KJV)

I serve at a small Episcopal Church that tends to be very "high Church" for the Sunday Mass. I receive my Communion right after the Priest (along with the Deacon, Chalice Bearer, and Server) which allows me time to get back to the organ and start my piece before the congregation gets to the rail.

I found a long time ago that I always seem to get compliments when I select a hymn tune that the congregation recognizes. Sometimes, if Communion is taking longer than usual, I will work my way up or down into a different key, or improvise my way into an entirely different hymn tune.  I play quietly and use a registration with a flute celeste until the congregation has finished.  Once the congregation has been seated, I draw one or two brighter stops on the swell and add a 16' to the pedal, all the while keeping an eye on the Priest so I can finish up right after he gets the Altar table back in order.

I have never tried to "show out" while playing during the Eucharist, nor the Prelude or Offertory for that matter.  The only time I feel it appropriate to "perform" (for lack of a better word) is the Postlude. For that, I let 'er rip!

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David

Our ELCA prescribes congregation hymns, which are supported by the choir.  At times, a communion anthem offered by the choir precedes the hymns.  If there's time left, I'll fill w/ improvisation on the last hymn sung, or if it appears that it's going to be longer than 2 minutes, I have a couple of books handy to use.  Most compositions are quiet and meditative, and easily sight read.

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Holtkamp/Parkey pipe organ
Galanti Praeludium home instrument