Musical people enjoyed learning to sing in harmony and the organ was the perfect instrument to accompany them. But the professionalism of brilliant organists and choir directors soon left ordinary Christians out in the cold. One congregation in Vancouver had a superb choir attended by only a dozen worshippers. When Harry Robinson began preaching there and insisted on congregational singing the organist and choir resigned angrily and moved away. St. John's Shaughnessy was soon packed with young people, and it still enjoys their enthusiasm today.
Cathedrals take pride in their choirboys.
But when local congregations try to compete with them the results are usually dismal. Perhaps it is time to recognize that professional organists and highly trained choirs belong in Cathedrals and places where people like to worship in the context of a musical performance. There are many older congregations valiantly struggling to have their own choir. In one service we had two anthems and no sermon. In many cases people with a good musical ear find it unbearable to sit and listen to what is inflicted on them.