LETTERS Opinions expressed in this column are
those of the correspondents, and do not nec- essarily reflect the opinions of the AGO, APOBA, or the editors of this journal. Letters accepted by the editor may be published whole or in part. Please send letters to Todd Sisley (
tsisley@agohq.org).
AGO DEMOGRAPHICS As I write this letter, summer is not far
away, and I have begun to ponder continu- ing-education opportunities, which I always look forward to. However, I find myself with a new perspective on it this year. I have re- cently moved to a small town where all my friends and colleagues, like myself, work as part-time church musicians. Some have other careers, and music is their hobby. Oth- ers have family obligations, such as caring for young children or elderly parents. Some of us have advanced degrees and years of ex- perience in music, but for one reason or an- other find ourselves at this time of life in a small town, full of small church jobs. And I’ve begun to realize we’re not unique in this respect. I have this stereotypical picture of an or-
ganist in my head—let’s call him Clarence. He is in his mid-forties and has a full-time job in The City, where he earns anAGOstan- dard salary (of course!). This organist has lots of time off for continuing education and a stipend to use for that purpose. Each sum- mer, he can consider where he’d like to use it—AGO or OHS conventions, a workshop, or a denominational gathering, for instance. My point is not to complain about my po-
sition. My church is generous, both with my salary and with time and money for continu- ing education. However, other areas of my life aren’t as flexible, and I found myself frus- trated when looking at certain offerings re- cently that seemed to be devised with the Clarences of the organ world in mind. Where was the flexibility that would allow me and my fellow organists to learn and grow, gain new skills, meet encouraging col- leagues, hear inspiring performances and lectures, and participate in helpful work- shops, all within the confines of our over- busy lives? While I understand that planning such
events is complicated, I certainly appreciate organizations that go out of their way to make concessions for folks like me. Con- sider OHS conventions, for instance, and the option for daily registration, which allows organists of limited time and/or means to bend the event around their own lives and schedules. Contrast that with a workshop where, even after I specifically asked if a daily registration option could be provided, the reply was that we would all gain more from five days and $350. While that is in- disputable, it misses the point, and is frankly not feasible for many. As I’ve thought about this issue and dis-
cussed it with colleagues, it’s dawned on me that Clarence may be more of a figment of our collective imaginations than a reality. Not that we don’t have such colleagues in our midst (and I would hasten to add that
10 THE AMERICAN ORGANIST
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