Every month or so we at Sinden.org run across one of these articles about the shortage of organists. We're going to start posting them here with the hope of provoking some discussion. (Our thoughts being something like this: While there may not be a "shortage" of organists per se, there is a multifaceted disconnect between ecclesiastical institutions and the musical academy, if there is such a thing.)
In this find, Karen Ramos refers to organists as "almost nobody." And this church wonders why they couldn't hire anyone?
"We were very lucky" to find an experienced organist, Ramos said. "Almost nobody out there is playing the organ."The Murrieta church is not alone.
Low pay, fewer organ students and the growing popularity of praise bands accompanied by electronic keyboards, guitars and drums contribute to the shortage, Inland organists and experts said.
Miller, Bettye Wells. "Ranks of church organists dwindling". The Press-Enterprise (Inland Southern California)
Maybe we should devise a scoring system for these articles? I hesitate to give extra credit for the "Ranks" in the headline because I doubt its author understood its meaning.
Recently
- Help wanted: church organists (Quad-Cities Online, from the Quad Cities, IA/IL)
Shortage of the whole picture: Take a look at this page from Redeemer Lutheran in Richland, Washington. Now, aside from the fact that musician has dubbed himself "Kappelemeister", do you notice anything odd? Do you know what PDQ Bach looks like? Do you? If word were to get out about this, there would be no shortage of beer in somebody's lap.
Labels: shortage of organists
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