Encourage the next generation

I have discovered the reason that organists in the UK are ignored - or not taken seriously - by musicians.

I went to a recital given by a dear friend yesterday evening. I will not mince words, it was grossly unprofessional. He is well over 70 and should really have given up such engagements, as he admits: I met him playing a funeral at my local church the day before and he said he was thinking of giving up playing. I would not want to hurt his feelings for a moment, and he is a true servant of the church, but it is incumbent upon all of us to know when to stop, and he is past his play-by date.

I played at the retirement celebration recital of another friend, celebrating his 50 years of service to the one church (should I reach that with a position tomorrow, I would be 100 and well past my play-by date - if I am not already), but he started in his 20s. He can still play hymns rhythmically, he knows a good selection of voluntaries (more than the congregation can remember when he last played that piece, so everyone's happy), but he knows that there is something amiss. He has therefore decided to stop, whilst he is ahead of the game. He still goes in to the church weekdays to play to amuse himself, and to keep his fingers working, but his decision is the right one.

Our host once commented on a cutting I sent her about some US lady organist who had retired after 60 years as an organist: "What on earth was her playing like?"

How many of us keep going because there isn't anyone to take over? And what have we done to ensure that there will be someone? And do we only go on because of personal vanity?

Friend No2 had an organ scholar some time back, who has moved on and still plays, and good for him. What about you - and your church? Do they allow young people to play the organ there? Do they pay money to help them get lessons? If not, why not?

In my area of the RSCM (Sussex), they give small bursaries to young people learning the organ. That's the charity yesterday's recital was in aid of. That's the only reason I can think of for yesterday's recital. I am giving one in four weeks time. I won't play much better, but at least I'll be talking to the audience, telling them how the beast works, what the RSCM does, and WHY. The future isn't orange, it's black unless WE do something to change the colour.