The Organ Forum

Hi everyone, it's been nice reading about your lives.  I've been away for a while, bogged down in school work.  I must be the most quixotic out of all of us, for I started playing the piano and the organ only several years ago.  My bachelor's degree (in about two years) will be in special education, but because of my heavy involvement in music, and reading about music education, I'd like to try to become certified as a music teacher as well.  Yes, I know the public schools are a little rough, but I see myself teaching at the elementary level, or privately, or in a private school.  I would possibly like a church organist's job, maybe, if I'm ever good enough to play services regularly.  I see myself playing the piano in nice restaurants too.  I have daydreams about conducting and arranging, and feel sad sometimes, for I know that those things are usually done by musicians that started when they were tots.  I didn't have that chance, for I had no musician-roll models around me.  But life goes on, and I'm pleased with what I've learned so far.  I just hope that I continue to grow as a musician, and I want to be involved in as many aspects of music as possible as my life unfolds. 

Hope everyone has a very happy Easter. 

P. S.  Like some of you, I always enjoy hearing the organ play, and the choir sing at services.  It's magical when the whole congregation around you is singing, and a little frustrating when you're a visitor, and don't know the song (and can't see well enough to read the hyumnal they give you).  Hope you have enjoyed whatever Easter has brought you. 

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Kind Regards,
Jessica

http://www.myspace.com/33304014

Amateur player for 100% and I wouldn't dream of having to play in a church or concert. It's sometimes painfull enough having to hear myself...

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Expert in non-working solutions

I guess I'm lucky, but I've always made my living purely from music.  I've had various church jobs since college; taught piano, organ, and voice privately; teach/taught music theory at several universities; and now I'm trying to finish up my PhD in music theory.

Hello

Everyone,

This is a really good question!  I have been playing in churches since August 1990.  At times as a non-paid volunteer and at times with a nice stipend.  Currently im getting a nice stipend at the church im attending. I have been there for 2 years now.. Of course this is not enough to live on.  My "secular" job [so to speak]  has been in FOOD SERVICE, mostly managing Pizza Parlors {Round Table Pizza! mostly} Unfortunatly at the beginning of this year ,I lost my job and am still unemployed. Due to some pressing health issues, Im trying to find a job that will accomodate my circumstances and Im applying for disability. Im always glad when I get "extra" work with the church, such as funerals or memorial services, weddings and holy unions , too.

from

Anthony, in Hayward, CA

Hello Everyone,

   I'm a new member, having occasionally been reading the board from time to time. So I thought I'd start here with a bit of an introduction.

    I am director of music half time, and am fortunate that it does include medical insurance and pension. I play on a 1960 3-manual, 27-rank Austin, which was mechanically reconditioned in 2005. 

      I also work about half time for a newspaper (a few blocks from the church!) as a proofreader and I write some music reviews. I also accompany for the choral society. 

      Sometimes it seems crazy. As someone said, a church job is really like a collection of jobs (organist, choir director, children's choir, concert series), and I can feel quite scattered and unfocused. I wonder about the sanity of it, but overall I love it enough to keep me going. (I think!)

      I have in the past been a full-time director of music, and sometimes wish I were doing that again, but overall I guess I'm pretty fortunate. Financially it isn't easy of course. I have in the past taught piano and organ students (now I only have two adult students), taught English as a second language, and played in temples.  

       So, hi, everyone. 

Thom

Welcome, or as Keraulophone is probably going to say, "Aloha"

Great to hear your story and that sounds like a nice pipe organ that you play on.

Hope to see you around here more often!

nu

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Currently own:
ALLEN TC-3S (#42904 - 3rd Feb 1971) with Sequential Capture System

Speakers:
x1 Model 100 Gyro Cabinet
x1 Model 105 Cabinet
x3 Model 108 Cabinet

Welcome to the Forum Thom. 

Thanks for sharing your story with us - I hope you will stick around.

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Soubasse32

Aloha Thom,

Welcome to a really groovy place - Do make yourself feel right at home.

Cheerio,

Kphone 

Hey nullogik,

You stole my thundah - wassup wit dat?

< 8 - D

Cheerio,

Kphone 

(OT) Keraulophone, are you in Hawaii?  Where?  I'm traveling with a church group next month to Hawaii and am curious.

David

I split my time between Honolulu and the Big Island of Hawaii.  Next month I'll be in Greece for a months long siesta in the Greek archipelago.

Cheerio,

Kphone 

Kéraulophone:

Hey nullogik,

You stole my thundah - wassup wit dat?

< 8 - D

Cheerio,

Kphone 

I couldn't help myself!

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Currently own:
ALLEN TC-3S (#42904 - 3rd Feb 1971) with Sequential Capture System

Speakers:
x1 Model 100 Gyro Cabinet
x1 Model 105 Cabinet
x3 Model 108 Cabinet

Welcome to the forum, Thom!!!

Cheers!

Greetings;

 
I work for the government, it's a pretty nice job: little stress, much free time, OK salary.  But I am 25y, and have no "real" education, only finished secondary school.
Yet without much arrogance, I can say I have quite some capacities to become a good organist.  Therefor, I am in doubt whether or not to take the leap to obtain a higher degree in music at the academy (I've completed the basic music school).

As I am 26y next year, it's about the very last chance to start said schooling, before getting settled and having to pay back a few loans for house/car.
But when I start the education, I have to quit my job, and I know for sure there is little chance to find a similar job like my current one.

So the dilemma: do I hold on to the job I am certain to do till I retire, with lots of free time to fill with amateur-organship, or shall I try to master my musicality and then clean toilets for a living.  Following the heart I would of course want to be a full-time organist instead of a mindnumbed office clerk, but passion doesn't often bring food on the table (at least not in this trade).

 
As I assume the majority here is American: I'm living in Europe, so to be sure you definately can't give me a full answer

 

Regards,
Exq.

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Regards,
Exq.

Hey Exq!

You describe your job as 'pretty nice, little stress, and much free time'  I'd hold on to it and try going to school part time.

But then you said 'mindnumbed office clerk'. If your single, no kids, dump the job and go for it. As you mentioned in your post, you will be

26 next year.  Perfect time to continue your education.