The organ has a long and prolific history tied to classic and sacred music. Today, professional organists carry on this tradition by playing in a variety of settings, from concerts, to church meetings, to sports games. However, live organ music has been in decline for the last couple of years, and many might think that there is no place for such a classical instrument in the modern world.
While the job market for organists is niche, there are still spaces where organ music is sought after and enjoyed. Communities are looking for younger people who can carry on the traditions of the organists before them.
Why the Organ Profession Appears to Be Declining
There are a couple of different factors that lead to the decline of organist positions. In the case of churches, the largest employers of organists, both shrinking congregations and changes in worship style play a role in how the field is changing. If a church has declining membership, they are less likely to be able to pay an organist full time or keep up on organ repairs. This can get expensive and can be seen as nonessential in comparison to other departments like utilities or outreach programs.
Even if they do have the funds, some modern churches have also begun moving away from organ music towards praise bands that feature guitars and drums. This change in worship style could affect the number of organists getting hired by churches.
For organists that work in sports and entertainment, it is becoming more common to have a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) or recorded music used in tandem with or replacing live organists. The trend of using more popular music at sports games could also be a factor in reducing the number of live organ songs.
Even though these are factors that contribute to the job market for organists, that does not mean there are no jobs available. There are still churches that are looking for organists to play for their congregations, and many stadiums still have live organ music during games.
Why Demand for Skilled Organists Still Exists
Fewer young people are studying the organ professionally, possibly because of the factors mentioned above. Although the field is smaller than it once was, churches and institutions still need organists who can replace retiring musicians. This means that not only are there jobs available to perform on the organ, but also opportunities to teach the next generation of organists. Stadiums still often use live organ music and need musicians who can play a variety of tunes and adapt quickly during live events.
These openings are often based on location, for example, a large conservatory in the city might have a highly competitive organist position but a small rural church might struggle to find anyone who can play the organ. While the total number of organist jobs may be smaller overall, the number of trained applicants may be shrinking even faster.
What This Means for Future Organists
The organ as a profession is not disappearing, but it is changing. While full-time careers still exist, they are often less common and highly competitive. As a result, many modern organists build “portfolio careers”, meaning they combine several income sources related to musical work rather than just one.
Versatility is an important skill to develop, as churches and music organizations often seek musicians who have diverse skills like directing choirs, arranging music, or playing the piano. A diverse skill set also expands the range of jobs musicians can pursue. Many musicians are self-employed and often work multiple jobs to maintain a stable income, and the organ is no different.
The number of traditional full-time organ positions may be smaller than in previous years, but the number of students specializing in organ performance is also decreasing. This creates a shortage of trained organists in some communities, and there are concerns about finding people to replace retiring organists.
Organ performance is evolving with new instruments and technology. Every organist career will look slightly different, but the need for skilled musicians has not disappeared. Instead, the profession needs musicians who can adapt to changing needs in the community and continue the legacy of this historic instrument.
Citations
Lifeway: Most Churches Aren’t Engaged in a ‘Worship War’ Over Music
American Guild of Organists: Resources
Zippia: Job outlook for organists in the United States
Yahoo: Organist shortage highlights need for next generation of musicians
Himalaya: Complete Organist Career Guide
WCPO Cincinnati: Despite popularity of praise bands, some area churches still investing in pipe organs
What is a Portfolio?