Die benutting van die orrel in die hedendaagse Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk.

Abstract

The church music of the Southern African Dutch Reformed Church is in the midst of a paradigm shift: traditional liturgy is changing; in many church services traditional organ music and congregational singing are making way for music in a contemporary style. A music band is often used instead of the organ and hymns from the Liedboek are mostly replaced by songs in various styles. Traditional liturgical music is in a period of uncertainty and experimentation. The views of clergymen and church musicians seem to often and increasingly diverge when considering spirituality of the services and the role that congregational music plays in the spirituality. Research has shown that the organ is still the music instrument of choice for services of the Dutch Reformed Church and that 90% of clergymen find the use of organ music in church a positive experience. The average post-modern church member prefers that traditional and current musical styles are used side-by-side in the liturgy and liturgical music of the church to cater for the requirements of the different spiritual styles in congregations. The writer establishes that effective organ playing, with or without other instruments, can adequately provide for the majority of these post-modern worship styles. It is necessary that organists adapt to the changing demands of congregations through continued studies.