Saturday, August 30, 2014

Entitlement in the mind of the church organist.

Being an organist means often relying on the kindness of strangers.

It is rare for an organist to play an organ at a church that was paid for by the organist.  Odds are the organ was purchased by people from the church, many of whom are no longer at the church due to death, job transfer or a decision to join another church.

Violinists who play Stradivarius instruments today are often in a like situation, as some Strads are now owned by investors, and loaned out to artists while increasing in value like a well-chosen stock.  These lucky violinists are usually extremely grateful and make a point of thanking those who have loaned the instruments publicly whenever possible.

Spending time around church organists though, you'll find a different attitude.  Many organists refer to the church organ and the church itself as "my organ" and "my church" and are publicly critical of the instrument and the church itself.

Is the organ they are playing possibly inferior, justifying this attitude?

A blind survey to a large international group of organists 15 years ago had interesting results.  The majority of organists when asked what organ they wish they were playing rather than the one they presided over at church chose Aeolian-Skinner.  Except for one small group.

This small group was made up exclusively of those playing Aeolian-Skinner pipe organs.  Every one of them wished they were playing another organ, not an Aeolian-Skinner.

What is behind this sense of entitlement and dissatisfaction among church organists?


No comments:

Post a Comment