Preparing a Solo for The Mother Church in Boston
When preparing to accompany Tessa’s solo at The Mother Church last week, organist Bryan Ashley was wonderfully open to the idea of combining organ and piano even though he’d never done it there before. I wrote out the new arrangement and sent it to him a few days in advance, Tessa and I flew to Boston, and we tried it out at rehearsal the night before.
After a couple of times through, Bryan found a good combination of registers that sounded AMAZING. As I listened back to the recording, goosebumps rose on my arms with the organ’s entrance at the 4th verse, and again a few measures later when the organ highlighted a key change. Goosebumps are a good sign. It was going to work! Smooth blend with piano, strong support of MBE’s text, and a great sound under Tessa’s strong and clear vocals.
We got the thumbs-up from everyone else, and suddenly the organ plan was official. After performing it at the service Sunday morning we received many compliments about the organ highlights and the song as a whole … so it seems to have gone splendidly 🙂
Below is a recording of a rehearsal take. (Note: it might be hard to hear the organ on computer speakers – try headphones or speakers with good bass!)
Come To This Fountain (“Communion Hymn”)
Words by Mary Baker Eddy
Composed by Jay Frost
Vocals: Tessa Frost
Piano: Jay Frost
Organ: Bryan Ashley