Tweet
I recently met an organist and found myself attracted to him and was trying to size up my chances with him when it occurred to me that every male organist I've ever met has been gay. I haven't met that many - maybe ten - but it still was a surprising realization. Is anyone else's experience similar?
-
-
Re: Gay organists
Yes indeed. You appear to be in the Pacific time zone, as am I; and I believe that this may contribute to the consistency of your experience in this regard. I am middle-aged and hetero; but I am an amateur organist whose "day job" is as a customer service representative. I am also an amateur organ curator/technician (whatever that means).</P>
My cousin Christine and I were discussing this issue one day and she pointed out that this does not seem to work out as consistently for other musical instruments as is does for the organ. I tend to agree with her. I have even asked a few male organ professionals (including both organists and technicians) and their answer is something along the lines of: "That's the arts for you." OR "It justseems that way because we are in California." Whatever . . .</P>
Eventhough my bachelor's degree is in communications/social sciences with a concentration in psychology; I am not even a good amateur or armchair psychologist. But I would agree that there is more than mere coincidence involved.</P>
Hope that helps!</P> -
Re: Gay organists
Oh dear, dear, dear. What fire storm will this get going?[:D]</p>
But, YES......I would not want to "out" anyone but I know a TON of organist and with rare exception most are gay except for the ladies. I don't know why. Hell blame it on the arts, the water, the stars, draw of the cards or whatever. In the part of the US I live, that's the norm.</p>
Oh, and for the record, I'm gay. I speak from experience, not rumors.[B]
</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
One of the members of our local theater organ society chapter dresses just like Rod Roddy for concerts. We had to wear sunglasses just to look at him. At the last Christmas concert he was wearing a sparkly blue leisure suit. There were people spinning around in wheelchairs, confetti, dancing school girls, and transvestites pulling golf clubs and sawsout of their dresses. </P>
Now I'm not implying anything, nor do I mean any disrespect, but there's something about the cold air up here that do strange things to people!</P>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
Huh, interesting topic. I've met a few on both sides. I've never quite figured it out why most are gay (I'm straight), but it does seem that way. I guess it might be the power of the instrument or something? My mother always said it was a 'refuge' profession, sort of like singing and theatre.
</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
[:(]</p>
I happen to be a gay organist and happen to have landed in the only school of music in the world where there are only two gay organists, the rest being straight men and Korean women.. odd....odd. odd..</p>
</p>
buuzzy</p>
</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
[quote user="Don Furr"]
Oh dear, dear, dear. What fire storm will this get going?
</p>
[/quote]</p>
Hopefully not much, okay? I know a number of gay organists here in the UK, but I don't much associate with them. I don't care a great deal for "organ queens", anymore than I care for "opera queens". Rather tiresome I say. Meet them in the London clubs... good grief. Let's talk real music, okay... like Elgar or perhaps Sir Edward Bairstow... not to mention George Dyson? </p>
Myself, when I substitute for the Anglicans, I give them fashion! Pinstripe suit with elegant cravat and braces... and I always take communion. Those church ladies really need a lesson... they cannot even spot a total faggot?[:S] </p>
</p>
</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
Hi Menschenstimme.</p>
I live in the Pacific NW and I wondered if geography played into it. I also haven't noticed such a trend with other instruments. I have a BA in music and did some graduate work at a large school and I never got the impression that there were a ton of gay music majors. Fascinating...
</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
Elgar, Bairstow, Dyson.. REAL music? Good Grief, only a Brit would think so.. that or an Anglican</p>
</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
[quote user="Jason E"]
Myself, when I substitute for the Anglicans, I give them fashion! Pinstripe suit with elegant cravat and braces... and I always take communion. Those church ladies really need a lesson... they cannot even spot a total faggot?[:S]</P>[/quote]
Seems to be the same here. My own fashion style is somewhat alternative yet nobody seems to care. More's the pity! [;)]
Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
[quote user="Jason E"]Myself, when I substitute for the Anglicans, I give them fashion! Pinstripe suit with elegant cravat and braces...[/quote]</P>
Might I enquire... are the Christian Scientists treated to the same sartorial splendor? [;)]</P>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
On my organ at home I have a pedal stop called a 'Fagott'. Does that make me gay?</p>
</p>
Yeh, it certainly does! [:P]</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
Hmm, I'm a straight male organist. Should I be worried that I've simply confused my sexuality?? Now that I think of it, I also like Barry Manilow, and I think a pinstripe suit with a cravat is how every gentleman should dress...
</p>
In any case, the phenomenon seems real to me, and I could never quite figure out why. That said, some of the straight organists I know seem to be excellent swordsmen -- they've obviously taken on the task of ensuring that female organist-fanciers don't lose out too much.
</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
"Now that I think of it, I also like Barry Manilow,"</p>
I have to tell you, girlfriend, that liking Barry Manilow is definately a heterosexual trait.....<flounces off></p>
It does seem strange that there are a high proportion of gayers who are organists. What is it about the instrument, apart from the word 'organ', that attracts us to it?
</p>Comment
-
Re: Gay organists
[quote user="Choirmaster"]
"Now that I think of it, I also like Barry Manilow,"</p>
I have to tell you, girlfriend, that liking Barry Manilow is definately a heterosexual trait.....<flounces off></p>
It does seem strange that there are a high proportion of gayers who are organists. What is it about the instrument, apart from the word 'organ', that attracts us to it?
</p>
[/quote]</p>
Barry Manilow????Yuck.....</p>
I've got to blame it on my grandmother. She placed a very small electric chord organ in my lap when I was 5 years old. I never looked back. Try playing the JIG on 15 notes!!![B].</p>Comment
Comment