Bagipes Banned from Edinburgh Wedding !

[EagleJCS]

Interesting. I have read of places here in the States that don't want the pipes played inside for a variety of reasons (church policy, minister's preference, etc.), but that's the first I've seen of a Scottish church banning the pipes all together (even outside).

I'm actually piping (with a mini-band, no less - 4 pipers, snare & bass) at a wedding here in town tomorrow at a Roman Catholic church.

[spglenn]

Wow! Just wow!

I've attended a number of weddings in Edinburgh and most have had a piper pipe the guests in and the bride when she arrives. Definitely needs taking to the press, cannae believe this in Auld Reekie of all places.

[McClef]

tpa - offense may not have been meant but the joke (if it was) is factually incorrect.

The Church of England has no congregations in Scotland - the Anglican representative there is the Scottish Episcopal Church.

I am not sure that the church concerned can be forced to change their policy though publicity may embarrass them possibly. Churches may have various prohibitions about what is allowed at weddings - a popular one is banning the throwing of confetti.

[seanachie]

it is better to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission. I had a piper lead my wife and I out at the recessional for our wedding,,,,he played Loud and Proud. Just to avoid any complications I never said a word to anyone in advance.

[chrisupyonder]

Kilt police in Scotland next!!!!!!!!

Pathetic!

Chris.

[tpa]

tpa - offense may not have been meant but the joke (if it was) is factually incorrect.

.

Fortunately jokes are not required to be factually correct or even factual.

[RockyR]

If I were the piper and had that day free, I may go to the church, stand 1/2 a block away and start playing (down wind from the church of course). Think of it as a gift to the bride and groom.

[Father Bill]

Gee, I guess I shouldn't have had the piper play two weeks back with the Archbishop in my church... and yes, I'm Anglican/ C of E.

[piperdbh]

So, according the the decree Sandy posted above, all the great Masses by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and the other giant composers are off-limits, because they're written to be accompanied by "secular" instruments; those "noisy, frivolous" things.
Please don't let this turn into an argument about religion or anything else, but I wonder how much resistance his late Holiness received from this declaration, especially from churches which were not wealthy enough to possess an organ or were located in countries with their own non-European instruments. Hmmm...

[Galician]

So, according the the decree Sandy posted above, all the great Masses by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and the other giant composers are off-limits, because they're written to be accompanied by "secular" instruments; those "noisy, frivolous" things.
Please don't let this turn into an argument about religion or anything else, but I wonder how much resistance his late Holiness received from this declaration, especially from churches which were not wealthy enough to possess an organ or were located in countries with their own non-European instruments. Hmmm...

The answer would probably be "yes"! In fact, that whole style of elaborate music was focus of this papal decree. By the end of the 19th century, there was a growing sense that the complexity of that music was overwhelming the purpose of the service, viz., prayer. Pius IX led a major reform in Church music, geared toward putting the focus back on the words of the service themselves.

I don't know, however, if this particular decree is still in effect. The Second Vatican Council did a lot to loosening up the rules. Some would say that is what the current Pope is busy reversing at present. So maybe we'll be back to that, but for now, trumpets, pianos and guitars are still welcome at most churches. Also bagpipes, as a previous pastor was piped in for his installation ceremony!