Great Fun with Organists

Desmond Maley is the music librarian at the J.W. Tate Library,
Huntington College, Laurentian University.

In this slim book, Anglican Bishop Leonard F. Hatfield reminisces about
his experiences working with organists at three Nova Scotia parishes.
With warmth and humor, he describes the “great fun” he had during
his tenures at Antigonish-Bayfield-Linwood, Christ Church in Dartmouth,
and St. John’s in Truro.

Some of the women especially seem not unlike the Church Lady stereotype
satirized by Dana Carvey several years ago on the television show
“Saturday Night Live.” One appoints herself matchmaker to the then
young and unmarried Hatfield, discussing the possibilities with him and
for him frequently, as well as pointing out the wedding gift she has in
mind. Another swoops down on hatless workers entering the sanctuary to
do guild work, requiring them to don something from her odd assortment
of apparel. Still another not only plays hymns but sings “in a clear,
loud, vibrant voice, with loads of gusto.”

Bishop Hatfield obviously enjoys sharing his anecdotes about organists.
But he provides no information on their musical backgrounds, nor does he
explore meaningful musical experiences or reflect on the role of music
in Christian worship. As a result, it is hard to see to whom this
human-interest story will appeal outside the parishes concerned.