Children and the Organ

This past Sunday as I was playing the organ postlude, I saw in my peripheral vision someone standing off to the side.  I lost my focus for a beat as I wondered who it was and what he wanted.  To my surprise it was a father with his 3 or 4-year old son.  The little guy wanted to see the “thing” that made all the noise.

As this was happening, someone walked by and jokingly said, “Chris, it looks like you might have some competition on the organ bench.”  Those words have been with me the last few days.  Not the competition part, but the part of nurturing our young people to consider pursuing church music vocations.

Several young girls have become “regulars” at the organ bench after the services to watch and ask questions about how the organ works.  You should see the thrill of one young girl when she played “Joy to the World” on the manuals for me after the service one Sunday.  Who knows, I may have a few budding organists in my midst.

I think children are drawn to the uniqueness of the sound, the physical dexterity to play it, and all the buttons, keys, and pedals.  Much like the Divine Service and its liturgies, the organ is foreign to popular culture.  But at the same time people, especially younger adults, are increasingly drawn toward worship opportunities not typically associated with popular and contemporary culture.

Watch out for those young organ enthusiasts.  Embrace and encourage their interest.  You might be helping to nurture a gift to the church at large.

Related posts:

1. Ambrose, the Children, and Advent
2. A Liturgical and Outreach Oriented Church? Yes!
3. Organ Music: Chorale Preludes