I receive multiple chapter newsletters each month, both in regular mail and via e-mail, and I am always impressed with the activities, issues, and opinions mentioned in these publications. Below is a Dean's Message from Larry Wheelock, Dean of the Milwaukee chapter, which greatly inspired me when I read it in the November issue of their chapter newsletter. I hope it inspires you as well! Jan
One of the perks of the role of Dean is that one sometimes gets to spend time taxiing artists to and fro and once in a great while to sit-in on practice sessions. As I write this I am being bathed in the splendor of Bach, Wagner, Reger and Laurin and saturated with the wonderful sonorities of the new Schantz organ at Gesu Church as Isabelle Demers rehearses for the upcoming recital. It is difficult to express the emotion; the delight and awe I feel hearing this young woman, less than half my age, owning this music and shaping it with her own substantial creative power and then channeling it into sound through this great organ. I am near tears.
This has triggered in me a reflection on the last half-century or so of organs and organists and the role and future of our profession. Just thirty years ago we were in the midst of the great plague of AIDS which robbed our profession of so many of its best and brightest. At the time there was speculation that this tragedy, added to the changing role of music in the church, was likely to spell the end of our art.
It hasn’t happened that way. Thanks to the strength of our profession, to the dedication of myriad outstanding teachers and the constant outreach by our Guild there are literally dozens of exceptionally talented and dedicated young artists making careers and creating music-filled lives -- and more each day; artists like Isabelle Demers, Dongho Lee, Christopher Houlihan, Nathan Laube, Ken Cowan, Cameron Carpenter, Felix Hell, Dan Sullivan, Chelsea Chen, our own Michael T.C. Hey, and dozens and dozens more -- far too many to name. Right beside them are literally thousands of people who make this music for love of the art -- people who will never make music their profession, but will value it and share it with all those whose lives they touch in parish and chapel, school and home.
I hear almost constantly that there is a shortage of organists at the parish level but I dispute that claim. I would propose instead that there is a lack of adequate support for music which has lasting value and for organs and organists who interpret, share and value that music in our churches and schools. We are a society which is quick to discard and to move on to the next new thing to discover only later the intrinsic value of that which we set aside.
How do we, then, teach our congregations -- our people -- to value what is sacred, good and beautiful about the music we professionals, and semi-professionals and amateurs and lovers of the music proclaim? Leland Sateren said, speaking to choral directors, “Your choir can do anything you can teach it to do.” I firmly believe that could be “Your congregation can do anything...,” “Your clergy can do anything...,” “Your students can do anything...” and of course, “Your people can love anything you can teach them them to love.” The important part is, of course, “you can teach.”
One of the ways we can teach all of these is by example; by showing our love and excitement about the art we share and our commitment to what we do. This is where the AGO, both National and Chapter, comes in. It is among our colleagues that we can share and learn to be the best we can -- not only as performers, but also as teachers and learners. At the national level our numbers make it possible to join in the discussion at a higher plane. The Chapter is where we commiserate with colleagues, share our triumphs and trials, and get inspired by each other’s success. Participation in both allows us to be a part of the great discussion both at the national level and right in our own back yard. One can only influence the discussion if one is a part of it. One can only influence the future if one participates in shaping it.
I sometimes hear from chapter members that the fees are too high. The easy response is for me to say, ‘it is a matter of perspective and priority.’ Really, though, how much is it worth to have a part in shaping the future of our art and our profession? If you see your AGO dues as merely the chance to claim membership or to put some letters behind your name or as a magazine subscription, perhaps it seems expensive, but having been a member of another profession and its professional organization (ASTD) I can honestly say that the AGO dues are a bargain by comparison even if your membership is only used casually. If one really takes advantage and participates the value is increased many-fold.
Do yourself a favor; make an early New Years resolution to get full-value for your dues (and pay your renewal if you have not). Claim your voice in the discussion and your part in shaping the future. It’s worth it!
Posts
