The Department of Liturgy and Music has been involved in various programmes in the last biennium. We are happy to note that several of these have been in cooperation with other departments within the diocesan structure.
1.In 2005, interest in founding a retreat for creative artists led to the beginning of work in planning, designing and funding so that this idea may become a reality. As of this writing (December 2006), land has been identified and offered for building in Deenabandupuram, an architect has been engaged to design the buildings and a funding campaign is under way towards this project.
2.In 2005, courtesy of a grant from the Episcopal Church USA, the department was able to finance the completion of a recording of the “Liturgy in Tamil Folk Music’ and sixteen other compositions of the late Theophilos Appavoo. This was his last recording, and we are grateful to have been able to be involved in its creation. It is available here, and is also to be published in the USA by Church Publishing Inc. So, the important work and message of our late friend and teacher Parattai will be spread to a potentially far larger audience.
3.The CSI General Synod in January of 2004 approved a draft of a new Book of Common Worship. We have printed its Holy Communion Service in English for trial use. A questionnaire for congregations who use this service on a trial basis has also been prepared to aid the Synod Liturgy Committee in its work of refining the service. We look forward to sharing this trial liturgy with as many churches as are interested, and to translating this liturgy, for trial use, into Tamil, so that representative opinions from the broadest possible spectrum can inform the Synod´s Liturgy Commission in its continuing work.
4.Two sessions of a Summer School of Music, involving 20 pastorates, were held in 2005 and 2006. The Rev´d M. Karunakaran, the Rev´d John Selvaraj, the Rev´d A Karunakaran, the Rev´d Y. L. Babu Rao and a team of instrumental and vocal musicians led these programmes. Harmoniums, tabalas and flutes were given to the pastorates involved upon completion of the courses. This programme has become a regular feature of the diocese´s regular education offerings, and we are grateful for the diocese´s continuing support.
5.In 2005 and 2006, the department assisted the Vacation Bible School in its musical items both in English and in Tamil. The Rev´d Francis and Dr Giles wrote music on the themes for the curriculum, and with the help of musicians from the diocese and beyond, recorded these for distribution to the 50,000 children involved in the VBS programme.
6.In 2006, the Diocese was blessed with the completion and inauguration of a recording studio, under the supervision of the Department of Communication; and the Department of Liturgy and Music is excited by the prospects this new venture opens up. It is our intention that we actively promote its use for furthering the spread of the Gospel through music.
7.Also in 2006, a school for the study of Tamil Music has been inaugurated under the leadership of the department´s Rev´d M. Karunakaran. Lessons in Karnatic music theory, voice, mridangam and violin are being given. We are happy that here too, connections with the Department of Tamil Literature that have born fruit in this cooperative venture between these two departments.
8.A pipe organ project in cooperation with specific churches in this diocese, and in cooperation with other dioceses (specific churches in Central Karnataka, Medak, and North Kerala) has continued with enthusiasm and great support from the churches involved. St Andrew´s, St Mary´s, and Zion Churches, have completed work on their instruments, and work on other organs is either under way or contemplated with further visits from the British Organbuilder, Christopher Gray of the Midland Organ Company, Leicestershire. Enthusiasm for this programme has spread from this diocese to other dioceses in the CSI, with projects underway in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kodiakanal and other places where organs are being renewed. It´s in part thanks to our work here in Madras that these other places have undertaken this work.
9.Work on a complete Tamil lyric book with musical notation continues slowly.
10.The Rev´d M. Karunakaran has volunteered to prepare a children´s music textbook for the diocese´s education programmes. We look forward to his work.
11.During this very council meeting, we are hosting a visit from Professor Doctor Richard Marlow, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, who has offered an organ recital at St Mary´s Church, and is presently conducting choral workshops with the choir at St George´s Cathedral and various other choral groups in the diocese. We are hoping that this work will occasion opportunities for the improvement of our choral music, with an eye to this diocese´s major role in the up-coming 60th anniversary celebrations for the Church of South India later this year.
All of these programmes and projects are of vital interest to the life of the churches in this diocese. The liturgy of the church is what first and last informs Christians of their faith, and being the most visible and regular occasion for the gathering of the community, deserves our best. Training in liturgy and in music is not a part of theological education in the ecumenical seminaries in India, and any understanding of its role is at present very limited. We hope that the Department of Liturgy and Music can continue to assist in broadening awareness of the roles worship and music play in the life of the church, and further to connect with other departments within the diocesan structure as well as other institutions serving the church to enliven our praise.
Dr Randall Giles, 14 December 2006