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I got a copy of a letter today written back in 1921. It made me laugh and I thought I would share it. I am tempted to share it with no comments because it speaks for itself, but underneath the letter below, I will pontificate a bit.
A quick bit of history first. The writer of this letter was Herbert L. Clarke, a famous bandmaster and cornet player. He was writing to Elden Benge, who became a notable trumpet player and the founder of a company that built trumpets to this day.
So when is the last time you listened to a cornet solo?
I like reading this kind of stuff because it makes a point very well that we all need to remember. That point is this: If you condemn innovation just because you are not comfortable with it and don't understand it, you are eventually going to look pretty foolish.
No one needs to hear this more than some that fight for tradition and against progress in church music. This fight is not new. In fact, as I read this letter, I was reminded of Martin Luther using similar language when describing the organ. At the turn of the 20th Century, people felt similarly about using the piano in church. Today, the fight is about drums or rhythm or any number of other things.
Here is reality. The fight in Christian music has been far more about cultural preferences and comfort levels than many will admit. That is not to say that there are not legitimate concerns about worldliness, association, and appropriateness. But, too often, people pontificating on these issues are heavily biased toward what they are used to.
