What would happen if some parishioners started gently saying that the organ is, indeed, broken? Sometimes multiple voices can help.

Also, can you get all the people together who would help DO it? Sometimes the work is more of a barrier than the money.

I left a position a few years ago where I played a terrible organ. As soon as they replaced me, there was talk of need of a new instrument.... well, maybe I wouldn't have left if.....

Melo,

There is no piano in the church. I know that the pastor would NOT want to get a piano in place of an organ. He's always very positive about organs in general whenever I talk to him about it. He's made derogatory comments about guitars, but never an organ.

I wouldn't encourage anyone to accept toaster box rhythm organs either. Another church I play for has one (ugh!) that was donated. Sadly, that church refused a FREE organ that I found for them which was much better. Sigh. Getting a digital that goes with me when I leave isn't an option, really. I already have one and I'd have no use for a second.

Carl D,

Some parishioners have mentioned that it's taken damage. The previous organist also complained about it. Apparently the majority of the parish council (which doesn't run the parish!) knows about it and agrees. They were supposed to mention it at a meeting last year. I need to talk to one of them and see if they did.

So far a number of people have been supportive of ME going to look for one, but they haven't done anything to help out. I know of another church that recently got a used pipe organ installed and the parishioners there really, really helped out, so I imagine something of the sort could happen here IF we got as far as getting the pipe organ. The bonus is that at this church I work at, someone will actually use it. Nobody uses the pipe organ at the church that recently got it!

If the organ we theoretically get is a digital from one of the neighboring churches, really all it would take is a van to haul it, maybe four people (one being me, so three more) to move it on and off the vehicle, and renting a lift to get it into the loft. I really don't see the problem with getting help doing it. Actually, two people could do the whole thing. My brother and I moved an 800 lb. piano up a staircase by ourselves, so I don't think a small console would be too difficult in comparison.

MatthewJ,

Maybe you hit the nail on the head. Since I've been at the church I've had many comments about how I make that organ sound better than it ever did. Sure, I'm happy that people are pleased with it, but I personally think it sounds like ... well, it sounds awful. I'm not the greatest organist, either, but I guess I'm still quite a step up from what they previously had. Think I should start hitting all the wrong notes and see what happens?

Also, while I've never left a church because of a bad instrument, I have refused a job because of one. In that case, it was the same pastor who offered me a job at his other church, but since the organ there is WORSE than the one I'm currently playing, I refused. I told him why, too.


JPike,

I'm hesitant to try raising funds for an organ on my own initiative. After all, the pastor is leaning strongly toward forgetting about it entirely (I had his interest slightly for a short time) as indicated by what he recently said to me. I'm not sure if I can sway him again. Going around and just saying I'm going to find a way to fund the organ whether HE wants it or not doesn't seem quite right. If he were to tell me that he would get it if I did that, then maybe, but he has to suggest it I think.

Why spend money on music? Churches spend on everything else imaginable. Why not on music?

Carl D,

That was my plan. Well, sort of. I was going to contact one of the council members and have her spread the word around since I'm still basically a stranger to many of the parishioners. Perhaps speaking some more to the priest in residence, too, might help if I could get him to badger the pastor some.

MatthewJ was correct. I was just told that one reason they don't want to get an organ is because the people can't tell that the current one is broken when I'm playing it. The other reason is they don't expect that they can get another organist after I'm gone (which probably be sooner than later now). Sure... I agree with the latter. Nobody else will ever want to play over there as long as they have the "organ" that's currently there.

Unfortunately, I don't actually have that luxury. The priest has to rush off immediately after Mass to get to the next town to say another one. We do minimal singing because he needs every minute he can get, especially in the winter.

Depends. Chanting the Gloria and Kyrie takes much longer than just speaking them, although there are some pretty short Kyrie chants. Those were two of the things that I don't ordinarily do except for a few times each year. As for the propers, the pastor wasn't supportive of doing that when I asked him about it. I would like to do them.

Chonak,

I know. While I never timed the spoken Gloria, I've timed Mass VIII, an English chant Mass, and several English non-chant Masses. While chant takes longer, it's only marginally so -- about 15 to 20 seconds.

In his defense, however, the priest often will arrive two minutes before Mass is supposed to start since he also has to travel to this church after Mass at another one. Fortunately, he can vest quickly! Personally, I think he should just slightly alter the schedule of Masses to give himself another 15 minutes and less headaches, but so far he's chosen to keep the same schedule.

Yes, I have. My home parish considered doing that and there were rumours of nuclear war. Turns out Mass times stayed the same.

It all comes down to leadership, the efficacy of which is reflected in stewardship.

Mark can answer for himself, but here's my take: Our parish follows a "stewardship model". In theory people are expected to tithe to the parish and then the parish sets a budget based on that and learns to live within its means. In theory, no additional fundraising is allowed: no special collections etc. Of course in reality, the Life Teen group has fund raisers all the time as do the sports groups, school and most other activities. Apparently the music budget is the only parish ministry bound by the stewardship rule. Fortunately I have had several generous donors who have gifted me with some essential items including a new organ and piano. Both were unsolicited since I can't ask for anything. Even when I convinced them to change from missalettes to a hymnal based on cost savings, I suggested setting aside the difference which was already a line item in the budget--but why would we want to set money aside for future musical needs?

An update. Today the organ went dead. It's something that I had said would probably happen at some point, but I the response I got was that it was working and it would do. Well, now it's NOT working and we don't have an organ. I really wish that people wouldn't wait until something is completely useless before replacing it.

The good thing is that the choir is able to sing a capella AND it's Lent, so this seems like the best time not to have an organ. The downside is that it's doubtful if we'll have an organ available for Easter.

Of course, there's another good thing, too. The church is going to get a new (or used, but new for us) organ. Now I just have to hunt around for one that's within the budget that they set.

I like that idea.

When I explain? He says once I move on he's unlikely to find another organist, so it's not worth getting another one. However, if you read the post I made right above, you'll notice that the bad organ is now a dead organ and the church is now looking to purchase a new one. Or at least the council wants to. I haven't had a chance to talk to the pastor yet, but I'm fairly certain that he'll be willing to get a new one considering we have nothing now.

Also, I'm complaining a lot. I probably shouldn't be though. And for the record, the pastor is solid. He just doesn't understand music.

As a choir director once said to me: "the Catholic church will survive, despite the clergy!"