SOPP768: My organ recital proposal was politely declined by the church committee

SOPP768: My organ recital proposal was politely declined by the church committee

From Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast by Secrets of Organ Playing

March 3, 2026 · 21 min

About this episode

The episode discusses a declined proposal for a Christmas organ concert at a church and the contrasting decision to host a different musical event.

Welcome to Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast No. 768! This question was sent by our YouTube organist friend Rien Schalkwijk and he writes:Last year I offered a befriended church a Christmas organ concert — completely free. A festive gesture, I thought. It was politely declined, as the church committee felt it would be “too much work” for the volunteers. Quite what sort of work a solo organ recital creates remains one of the unresolved mysteries of the season. But, a week ago, I discovered the same church had organised a Christmas concert with a choir and a pianist, complete with refreshments and a heated church. Clearly, some musical formats are more theologically efficient than others. Here you will find all my scores: https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/en/category/arrangeme/?q=Secrets+of+Organ+Playing&aff_id=454957

Topics covered

  • organ music
  • church events
  • concert proposals
  • volunteer work
  • music performance

Keywords

  • organ recital
  • church committee
  • Christmas concert
  • choir
  • pianist
  • volunteers
  • musical formats

Mentioned in this episode

Products: sheet music

Books & works: Secrets of Organ Playing

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