Questionnaire to Dublin Organists 2003 - The Results

In November 2003 a questionnaire was sent to the organists known to play on most Sundays or less often in all churches (but not the two cathedrals) in the dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.

These churches are grouped into 54 parish units: 43 can be classified, broadly, as being urban/suburban; 11 as being rural.

Questionnaires were sent to 86 organists. A reminder was posted at the end of December. By 31 January 2004, 54 (62%) had responded.

Respondents were presented with six questions.

QUESTION 1: Do you find the Remuneration Guidelines (issued annually) helpful?

Yes 89% No 2% Not relevant 9%

QUESTION 2: Is your remuneration greater than, the same as, or less than the guidelines recommended for your situation?

Remuneration greater 17%
Remuneration the same 42%
Remuneration less 15%
No fee accepted 7%
Guidelines not relevant 13%
No information given 6%

QUESTION 3: Do you have a written letter of appointment/contract?

Yes 22%; No 78%

QUESTION 4: Are you interested in in-service training/continuous professional development opportunities, if they were easily available?

Interested 57%;
Not interested 43%

QUESTION 5: Taking a broad overview of your current position as organist and the conditions under which you operate, what three changes do you consider would make things easier for you and help you to be more effective in your work as a church musician? Your response may cover all relevant issues -musical, administrative, organisational, financial, and the like. In responding, you may find it useful to prompt your thinking with the words ‘If only … …"

33 organists (61%) responded to this question. Their expressed views have been grouped by reference to ten topics or issues. The number preceding each ‘wish’ refers to the number of those listing that item.

If only … …

Training

4 there were one-day or afternoon training seminars/workshops, perhaps funded by the parish

3 there was an objective assessment of the effectiveness, outcome and impact of the church music training scheme

2 there were training sessions for musicians on the new forms of service

1 there were effective musical training for theological students,

e.g. ‘how to get the most out of your organist’
1 organists would update their skills
1 I were able to improve my personal musical ability

Lists of music

3 there were a display/lists of appropriate choir and organ music available

1 there was a music store with a dedicated selection of music relevant to parish church musician

1 there was a list of recommended chants for psalms

Choirs

10 I had a four-part choir again/more singers/an effective recruitment scheme

2 funds were available to pay a core quartet

2 there was a junior choir/more teenage involvement in church/courses for teenagers

2 the choir would notify me of intended absences and so avoided wasted rehearsal time

2 there were a more serious commitment/better punctuality on the part of the choir

1 there was a periodic visit by a roving choir trainer

Deputy/assistant organists

2 it were easier to find deputies

2 there were more young keyboard players/deputy organists from within the local congregation/ choir

1 more organists would agree to deputise

Remuneration

1 the parish would pay the recommended rate

1 the parish would apply more resources to the music

Organs, pianos

3 the organ received the attention and servicing it needs, perhaps with funding from central sources

1 I had access to a piano for rehearsals

Clergy

3 the services were planned more in advance/good notice given of any changes to readings, choice of hymns, etc.

1 the clergy were willing to try new hymns and settings and encourage the children to take part

1 the clergy would agree to a formal planning meeting every (say) three months

1 the clergy kept the traditional services (such as the carol services) going

1 there was better communication between clergy and musicians

1 there was more give and take between clergy and congregations

1 the clergy would provide pastoral care to an organist not resident in the parish

Revised liturgies

2 there were a moratorium on new prayer and hymn books for at least 25 years

1 the words of hymns in the new hymnbook and not been changed

1 there were more awareness of use of psalms and canticles

Congregations

1 there was more feedback from congregations

1 the congregation were more open and accepting to new hymns

Miscellaneous

1 I did not have to rush from one church to the next on a Sunday morning

1 there were an ‘organist’s society’ such as the defunct Leinster Society of Organists and Choirmasters

QUESTION 6: Please add any other observations/suggestions you may wish to make.

5 respondents made observations

• Deputy organist list is valued
• Next hymn book should be capable of opening flat
• The new hymn book with melody lines is too heavy
• Some deputy organists appear to be unwilling to travel far
• The work of the Committee is valued
• Has an excellent relationship with Rector and Select Vestry

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