One Reply to “Organists: The Next Generation”

  1. It's funny how many parents want their children to take piano, often for exorbitant lesson rates, but ignore the organ. There are many more opportunities to earn money as a young organist than as a young pianist, as just one consideration. Priests take note – creative solutions, such as paying for organ lessons for a parish teenager in return for a certain number of liturgies played, can be good for everyone involved. Most parents I know see organ as an interesting or "just for fun" add-on (thus costing more, but not being very important), for a child already studying piano. But the solution for many parents and for many parishes with a resident organist who can't/won't do more traditional music is a creative collaboration with the parish pastors. Added benefit: most pastoral musicians of a certain persuasion are hard-wired to believe that a teenage music-maker can do no wrong. When a teen with priestly backing shows up wanting to play more traditional music, the shock and cognitive disconnect can last months or even years and create a golden opportunity for change 🙂
    Pastors should be on the lookout for this talent, and steward their resources so as to invest in it. I am a church musician in large part because our parish priest pretty strongly insisted that my parents start me in organ lessons.

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