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SiG MT 37 SiG MT 33 SHOW & TELL All organ players have a deep understanding of the time involved to plan, practice, and participate in weekly worship services. Tonkovich says, "I would say commitment, specifically time commitment, is a factor to why many people no longer play the organ. It involves having to plan your life around church services," she says. Many of these occasions are on weekends when others, oen including the organist's own family, do not work. Nowadays, family members are oen traveling for sports or other outdoor activities. is means sacrifices are oen both made by the organist, and the family. Winter says, "I think there's less demand from churches for this type of music. More traditional churches are trying to reach younger people, but what young people want is to come in and sing with guitars and drums. I don't think people necessarily take up organ unless there's a need in the church." Additional factors are money and accessibility. Pipe organs are very expensive, very stationary instruments. Organ companies build organs for a specific space to get the best sound. is makes a true pipe organ cost prohibitive for many churches. While playing organ can be a great part-time job, many organists do not earn enough money, just playing organ, to make a living. Most church musicians must have "day jobs" and must consider organ playing as a second job. For example, Tonkovich had a teaching career. She says, "If you want to be an organist and be just that, the ideal thing is to live in a larger city where you would get a formidable salary and other opportunities." Anyone interested in playing the organ must have building access and the time to come to the church or concert hall to practice. Lack of access is what Pitstick calls the fatal error: "I find it remarkable that as soon as a church service is over, the organ is immediately turned off and locked up, deterring anyone who might ever consider trying to take up the organ as an instrument." In contrast, instruments like the guitar, flute, or violin are more portable and affordable. Musical Barricades "I use the organ to help the people sing and not to overpower them. But at the postlude you can really let go!" says Tonkovich. 406.622.1882 RAND UNIO hotel G N www.grandunionhotel.com Check in and leave the REST to us.