Nancy, Electronic sound from speakers simply does not lead the voice well. Try it. You'll be amazed how 'amplified' sound doesn't seem to draw out the voice, whereas a live piano, tuned and well played is a joy to sing with. (Although some LARGE electronic organs with literally banks of speakers can get by this.) Your Clavinova lady may be joyfully coloring up the atmosphere with special effects, but her main job as church musician should be to lead worship. That is not done with feel good 'performances', but by getting the congregation to participate in the music, and that means, singing. Most pianos lead voices well, they convey pitch and rhythm wonderfully and are easy to sing with because they are acoustic, just like live voices. Electronic sound works pretty good with more electronic sound, all of it run through a mixer and balanced by a tech. at his controls. The main point in worship is participation, not spectatorship. People need to SING to experience worship at its best. Get the piano going. Get the congregation singing. Roger Hayden, Eternal church musician, RPT
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