A Conversation with Jessica Nelson: On Organs, Liturgy, and the Breath of Song

We are delighted to share a wonderful interview from The Mississippi Episcopalian with Jessica Nelson, the gifted organist and choirmaster at St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the former director of our very own Mississippi Conference on Church Music and Liturgy.

In a conversation with editor Wil Oakes, Jessica shares her personal journey and profound insights on the role of music in worship. Here are a few highlights that resonated with us:

An Unexpected Calling: Jessica began studying organ purely as a practical way to earn money while pursuing a piano performance degree. It was during her time as an organ scholar in seminary, playing 10-12 services a week, that she discovered a deep and abiding love for the instrument and its role in liturgy.

The Organ as a Living Part of the Church: She offers a fascinating description of the rare Aeolian Skinner organ at St. Andrew’s, explaining how its electropneumatic action works "like synapses firing." Most beautifully, she describes the moment the organ is turned on: "It’s like the whole building is... sucking up its breath, getting ready to sing."

The Heart of the Ministry: For Jessica, her most important and favorite job is accompanying hymns. She speaks movingly about the powerful, collective act of a congregation singing together: "When you’ve got this room full of people that are all breathing in at the same time, you know, that’s pretty incredible."

A Legacy of Leadership: Beyond her current role, Jessica’s extensive contributions to the wider church are noted, including her service on the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music and as editor of the significant collection Ponder Anew: Conversations in 21st Century Church Music.

We encourage all who are passionate about music, liturgy, and the vibrant future of worship to read the full interview. Jessica’s perspective is both inspiring and grounding, reminding us of the joy found in serving a singing congregation.