Hymn: Come, Labor On (Ora Labora) & Improvisation

[@bobbyhendley3084]

Gerre was an incredibly fine man and remarkable human. His loss was a serious one for us all.

[@StephenTRoberts-p9m]

Uncle Gerre was one of a kind. I shall always give thanks that I knew him and studied with him at Yale.

[@jeffreyspringborg4285]

How can anyone argue with this beautiful music?! Perfect pitch; perfect tempo; perfect meaning; absolutely gorgeous! Hats off, gentlemen; a genius!

[@Rusty61]

I was privileged to study improvisation with Dr. Hancock when he was still at Christ Church (now Cathedral) in Cincinnati. He was WONDERFUL! He was content to refine (and boy, did he REFINE!) my already-pretty-much established romantic neo-French style of improvising, based on the Chant. One of the most useful (and funny) things I learned from him was: "If you make a 'mistake', repeat it and incorporate it into the improvisation (!)." Rest in peace, Gerre.

[@Davethechurchorganist]

When I attended NYU as an organ student I went to St Thomas AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE !! The best place to hear organ and choral music in America (in my opinion) at that time @2001.

[@StuartChamberlain]

As an elderly alumnus of the Cathedral Choir School (St. Thomas's basketball rivals), let me say it really doesn't get any better than this.

[@andyhogan5581]

Improvisation is the highest art! Dr. Hancock is one of its great artists.

[@adienromarirez2309]

This hymn has become one of my favorites.

[@adienromarirez2309]

Gerre Hancock.....that's all I can say.

[@jeffreyspringborg136]

It's so nice to hear this noble hymn taken at its proper tempo; so many of the most glorious hymns are taken far too quickly. This is so fulfilling; I love it.

[@aricmkmkm]

Totally Agree - so many are way too fast - where did the propriety go!

[@michaelheintz8853]

The greatest unison hymn tune ever written.

[@DonAntonio4546]

I am in the Orthodox Church now and must tell you that the greatest loss to me from the Episcopal Church has been the organ music. May God bless the many dedicated musicians who give glory to God by their hard work, gifts, and talents.

[@keithsy75]

why'd you leave? Come back.

[@redheadmotherof6]

Bro, check out the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.

[@angiebarrett8780]

Church music at its finest. Gerre Hancock and St. Thomas, NYC

[@christopherishola1768]

Organ music, how can anyone not be so moved. The organ is majestic and is my best instrument and its complete with a choral music. I grew up in Africa where church services are open window concept at my First Baptist Church. From a distance you can hear the organ bellowing and I will always be so moved to quickly get to church. Its always an experience that can never be forgotten.

[@KamixSam]

so proud of having gone to this school and sung there. I will cherish all that I learned about music from there.

[@JMcdon1627]

I cannot get enough of this. Absolutely beautiful.

[@sksteigerwald3649]

I love this very very much. I think I can recognize Father Andrew Mead’s voice on the word “away “ in the third verse because he comes in a little too early and his voice is just so sweet.

[@hcottrell]

One of my favorite hymns.

[@magdalenaaders8234]

Magnificent

[@basicaa]

God’s call is not a blueprint for our lives, but a call to a pilgrimage in the wilderness, sustained by God’s love and grace

[@bethsmallwood6972]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL ❤️❤️!!!

[@dmstitt]

Dr Hancock was a uniquely talented wonder! He is greatly missed by countless numbers around the world. Rest in peace, Gerre.

[@marycounce2836]

The genius, Gerre Hancock

[@johaansdoe1028]

He was my maestro when I was a choirboy

[@jdavidhart]

This still puts a lump in my throat! Such a great loss to those of us who knew him (if, in fact, we actually ever really "knew" him with his brilliant musical mind and gifts) -- then shortly followed by another great loss for St. Thomas NYC. May God bless that church.

[@1fairlilac]

I can't add anything valuable to this sentiment, except my complete agreement. I met him when he was a young organist in Cincinnati and I, a young music loving Episcopalian. When life brought me to NYC years later, I attended St. Thomas while he was there. Agree with the above sentiments regarding that extraordinary church and ministry too.

[@MrMusicker]

Gerre was extremely kind and helpful to me, a visitor from South Africa. He even arranged a room for me at the Wellington during my stay of a few days in NYC. Never to be forgotten!

[@jdavidhart]

Truly the Organist-Choirmaster-Improvisateur and Inspiration of us all. How humble I am -- yet awestruck -- as this Master led the path for our Profession. He filled our hearts with joy! What a privilege to have spent even a moment experiencing the music of this musician!

[@jastdi2]

We used to sing this at school, usually at the beginning of semesters. The masters, who sat in the rear of the chapel, used to find the words of the opening stanza hugely amusing. Great tune, though! Still a favorite.

[@elderrobertv.fullersr.1739]

As one who grew up listening to and admiring (still)the King of Instruments, I truly appreciate this magnificent mastery of the pipe organ. As a future full-time Pastor it is my desire to serve in a church where this type of music ministry still exists. What a way to end a hectic work week!

[@martinwright4526]

i've always loved this hymn, especially as the hymn in recession. great organ sound, as well as voices.

[@maestrokyle75]

Thanks for posting this! I had the great privilege of studying with him a UT-Austin. It was a life changing experience. This was the last hymn at his Requiem. Hearing 1000 plus people sing this in his memory was one of the most transcendent experiences of my life.

[@richardforce5620]

How about Jane Hancock was my one of the most beautiful people I've ever known that song labor on was absolutely tremendously beautiful I am so sad that he died I wish it was still alive today I want to talk to him so badly I would love to meet him I could just cry Daddy I heard that he died but I know he even having he's in a better place now thank you thank you very much

[@jersey714]

I miss hearing this... Gerre was world-class =amazing=... As was Judy. Fond remembrances -- and well wishes to Judy and the girls, if they read this... Scott '72

[@hughcreighton9384]

Over the years i made a number of visits to STC Gerre Hancock was a great inspiration and always such a pleasure to talk. His wife also was very welcoming. I still remover her playing Reger that sent a chill up and down my spine !!! RIP O great musician !!!

[@richardforce5620]

I love that him come labor on it is beautiful especially with that Oregon

[@mikevince3193]

Brings a lump to the throat- memorable doesn't begin to describe it.

[@holapeople24]

Ah, my old church, and choir.... can't say that I'm not glad to be out of there, but some things, like this, i'll miss.

[@andyhogan5581]

this is heaven to me!

[@stepheneggert7388]

Nice pipe organ i think its a. E.m. skinner ..we had one in our church.in chicago..a sm.church bld...a 50 somthing ranks..i did some repairs on ours .ty for this on yours..organ..i hope somone is doing ongoing maintance..on it..old or a new organ. They all need .a full time care taker..keeping her playing..god bless ..

[@mudgebauer]

When I was a teenager many moons go, I used to practice the organ at St. Thomas Church. I also practiced at Bartholomew's, St. Francis on 34th st, St. Andrew's neat the courts downtown and the sanctuary organ at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity on Wall street and a few others . I got around in those days. Wish I could turn back the clock and go back.

[@timengleman]

Thank you for posting this moving version. It came just in time to link from my facebook page, where I commented on the poetry of our worship service yesterday at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. It was our "middle hymn" just before the Lord's Supper. I usually prefer hymns arranged for harmony, but the words and melody fit so well that the simplicity of presentation enhance the poetry.

[@vermonter62]

My church choir director in high school was a violin student of Tertius Noble, later becoming a composer, concert violinist and conductor in his own right. Dr. Olson loved this hymn.

[@paulspangler697]

Thank you for posting this hymn!

[@adienromarirez2309]

This is amazing!!!!

[@chokelly5550]

just so amazing!

[@juliesparkle9]

Love this!!!!! From grads of Union at The

[@Domhangairt]

Come Labor On was written by 19th century Scottish Hymnist and missionary Jane Laurie Borthwick who died in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1897, and the music (Ora Labora) was composed by English composer Tertius Noble who died in Massachusetts, U.S.A, in 1953.

[@dalerider3124]

why the emphasis on when they died?

[@brucekessler6168]

Thoughts and prayers to Gerre as we remember him on his Birthday.

[@Rusty61]

Cantate Domino: it was my understanding that the surviving E.M. Skinner ranks in the Chancel Organ will be restored and preserved, and others sought; perhaps some from the GDH rebuild will also be re-used. The G. Adams additions and mechanism will be removed. I played that organ before Adams got his hands on it. I can't say that there has been a "St. Thomas Sound" since, though Gerre could coax a silk purse out of a sow's ear ... and the repaired/restored/improved acoustics helped tremendously.

[@jdavidhart]

BTW -- the so-called "descant" will only work with the great harmonies that Gerre used. I'd be happy to transcribe the whole thing (including his final verse accompaniment with the "shocking" switch to F major and that fabulous chord on beat one of measure 8). You've got to have "ears" to transcribe this stuff.

[@thebog11]

This hymn sounds extremely grand and stately at this tempo (160 ranks of Aeolian-Skinner and a stellar choir certainly don't hurt). But I worry that any congregant who doesn't draw a massive breath before the last line is going to find themselves running short of breath. I am organist at an Episcopal church, and I generally take this hymn at half note = 55. It's marked as half note = 60 in the hymnal. This version is more like half note = 41. Next time we do this one, I might try slowing it down a bit.

[@organ444]

Metronome markings in the hymnal sound like a very novel concept to someone on the other side of the Atlantic. Everything is at the organist's discretion here. After all, every church building/choir/congregation/organ is different.

[@AndrewRichesson]

I don't know if this is sacrilegious, but at my church we sing it at about 1.75x speed from this video.

[@InnocentOkie]

St. Thomas is larger than many cathedrals, so the reverberant space does not easily lend itself to fast congregational singing.

[@colleenmaher8669]

Does anyone know who arranged this descant?

[@larrytherangerdog]

The voluntary is improvised.. Unless someone transcribed it recently, its not published

[@austinspeaker7624]

Does anyone know where I might find that descant. I know it was written by two choristers at St. Thomas (I believe during Gerre's tenure), but I can't find the music for it anywhere.

[@gailwilliams2678]

You might try Pelagos Music's website, descant #6016. The descant was written for the hymn as harmonized in the Episcopal and Anglican hymnals, as far as I can tell.

[@paulmurray9109]

+Austin Speaker I have it.

[@davidbeattie1366]

Could you please tell me who wrote the descant for this particular piece?

[@choirboyfromhell1]

Cellphone bomb 02:45

[@jonathansammons6784]

Does anyone know where I can find the voluntary at? Back in June my organ instructor passed away after getting up from the organ at the church he had been organist since the 1960's. At his funeral this hymn was played and then as the postlude this voluntary was played. Any help would be appreciated for I would really like to learn this piece.

[@bubbadon7540]

Between the a and the t.

[@thedevilsreject23]

Sorry but the choral sound from America just has nothing on the Anglian scene in the uk, as a former bath abbey chorister the sound that’s produced is glaring

[@contratromba858]

And you felt compelled to share your opinion...why, exactly?

[@annickory8200]

bonsoir quelqu'un aurai la gratitude de me donner la traduction de ce chant en français SVP????

[@OldPost661]

When you stop and really think about it, taken as a whole (organist, choir trainer, improviser, composer), to find a church musician who was clearly superior to Gerre you have to go back to Sebastian Bach.

[@Davethechurchorganist]

When I attended NYU as an organ student I went to St Thomas AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE !! The best place to hear organ and choral music in America (in my opinion) at that time @2001.