[Harp-L] Re: Trivia Question [Amish Harps]

[Bobbie Giordano <bogio@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Doyle asked:
>Do any of you all know what is the only musical instrument that a "true"
>Amishman is allowed to play, acording to their "church rules"?

Cara said:
Ok. I am curious, Doyle. Why the harmonica only?
<...>
>I can guess that the latter three were not terribly portable, the 
>last one having to be built on location, but the other three are 
>very portable. And, in Europe, the pipe organ was the only 
>instrument allowed in church for a very long time. So now you have 
>made me very curious.

Doyle and Cara,
Apparently, it depends on the particular sect of Amish, Mennonite, etc. which
dictates whether or not musical instruments are allowed.  One website flatly
says this:

"Do the Amish play any form of musical instrument?"
"No. Musical instruments are forbidden by the Old 0lder Amish community.
Playing an instrument would be "worldly." It is contrary to the spirit of
"Glassenheit" (humility), and would stir up the emotions of those who are
involved."

Above from the Pennsylvania Dutch Country Welcome Center
http://www.800padutch.com/atafaq.shtml#inst

========================================================================
And another website on Religion and the Pennsylvania Dutch, 
http://www.horseshoe.cc/pennadutch/religion/mennonites/auramen.htm
basically says the same:

Excerpted from "Little Known Facts About the Amish and Mennonites" 
by A. Monroe Aurand 1938

THESE ODD FOLK CALLED "AMISH"

Line-Out Hymns.-The preacher would line-out a hymn from a book most generally
"Die Kleine Harfe"-a favorite with the Mennonites. The members would respond
with vim and vigor-without the aid of any musical instrument. Organs or
anything of a musical nature were strictly forbidden; suggestions that a
musical aid of some kind be obtained, have been known to split congregations
wide open. Scripture forbade the use of the organ. Of course these singing
methods were familiar from childhood, and frequent use made all of them
adepts at singing praises. 
========================================================================

However, an informative website page created by the Mennonite Historical
Society of Canada, discusses the role of the "Chorister" in religious
gatherings of differing sects, beginning by defining the term:

>Chorister (Vorsänger) 
>The chorister (Vorsänger) was the song leader for the hymns sung in 
>the worship of the Anabaptist-Mennonite congregations in all countries 
>before the introduction of the (reed or pipe) organ. The origin of the 
>office is lost in antiquity. 

It was explained that organs were first introduced in about 1775, and then 

>the chorister became superfluous, strictly speaking, but still held his 
>office, and in a few congregations the chorister stood before the pulpit 
>leading the singing until the beginning of this century.

However, it also mentions that the Conservative Amish Mennonites, and the
Church of God in Christ Mennonites do not use any musical instruments in
their services, and also...

>The Hutterite Brethren, like the Old Order Amish, have no 
>officially appointed choristers. The minister chooses the hymn, 
>announces it, and then reads the first line. Any brother of the 
>church who has the ability and informal training necessary to lead 
>in the singing of the tunes handed down orally may then lead the 
>hymn. After the first line is read and sung, the minister reads 
>the second line, which is then sung. This routine is followed to 
>the end of the hymn. The chorister does not stand or sit in a 
>special place and no musical instruments are ever used. These 
>practices have been followed without change for many generations.

URL at:  http://www.mhsc.ca/encyclopedia/contents/C464ME.html
========================================================================

So, it appears a blanket statement about the permitted use of harmonicas in
Amish churches is not accurate, and I'm STILL looking for a specific
reference to the "harmonica" usage.

But, pianos and organs are both used in various congregations now, and it's
my guess, and hope to find out for sure eventually, that because the
harmonica is also a "reed" instrument as is the organ, that it was ultimately
"allowed" for musical church purposes based on their shared properties or
similarities.

Or maybe it's cuz we call 'em harps!!!  ;)

Think that's it, Cara?
See you at SPAH, too!!

=[bobbie]=