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For some karaoke in church

Steven Morris

London: Not every member of the congregation will approve, but at least it solves the problem of who will play the organ. The Hymnal Plus, a karaoke-like machine with a repertoire of 3,000 hymns and psalms, is becoming a church's must-have item.

As well as traditional songs of praise, it can play a disco version of Amazing Grace and a jazzy adaptation of The Lord's My Shepherd. Churchgoers who struggle to remember the words can look up at a big screen for help, just like real karaoke.

Traditional churches will, no doubt, favour the "pipe organ and piano" settings or perhaps even try the "big strings and harpsichord." But the more adventurous will be able to experiment with driving drum beats and horn sections.

Customised music

Built-in Midi and MP3 players mean music directors can add their own songs — hymns or rock favourites — to the standard repertoire.

And clergy beware, the Hymnal Plus can also lead parishioners in prayers and recite pre-recorded sermons.

Worried by the shortage and aging population of organists, churches are beginning to snap up the machine, which costs £1,900 (about Rs. 1.5 lakh). A director of the machine's makers, Hymn Technology Ltd, said there was growing interest in it, not just from churches but also hospitals, prisons and military chaplains. He said the response from organists had been positive. "It's not about putting organists out of business. It's about giving churches an alternative."

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

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