What do your kids think of you?

[Guest]

What do your kids say about you? Are you cool or do they think your're a total dork? </P>


My 18 year old daughter passed me a very nice compliment about my church playing. She said that I was beginning to sound really good. I've been playing there almost a year. When I started a year ago it was almost all I could do to play a bassline and hold a chord.</P>


This compliment was special not only because it came from her, it came from an all state french horn player who is headed off toschool as a music major. My daughter and her other siblings have never criticized my middle-aged musical endeavors. In fact if anyone ever called me an organ nerd,nerdy accordion player,whatever I'd wear the label with pride. My little girl also plays in the same community band where I play trombone. She even thinks my bass playing is cool but then it's always cool to be the bass player. </P>

[nullogik]

Re: What do your kids think of you?



Don't have any kids - too young.</p>

But I do get nice comments from parishoners and family members.</p>

[Havoc]

Re: What do your kids think of you?

Why do you think I don't want kids???????

[Austin766]

Re: What do your kids think of you?

Couldn't say, I don't have kids

[Guest]

Re: What do your kids think of you?



Well, I have three kids. My 17 year old daughter plays violin, flute and piccolo; my 14 year old son plays trumpet and my9 year oldson is learning piano. Let's face it; all teenagers think that their parents are dorks. I am only cool when they need or want something e.g. money, the car, etc.</P>


As far as the music I play, they don't say too much. My daughter and I play duets on occasions. All of my kids will turn pages for me every now and then. I play a varity of styles, any thing from Baroque to Contemporary. My daughter said that she liked my "Gospel" offertory the other day so I guess that she approved of it. My kids know that I am old fashioned in every way; from the antiques I collect to the way I dress to the food I grow and preserve. They do complain when they have to help, but they like to eat. </P>


I think that I have a good relationship with my kids. They know what I expect, so there are some things that they do not complain about. One thing they are required to do is dress up for church every Sunday. No jeans in church on Sunday morning; EVER!</P>


This may be more information than you were looking for.</P>

[jbird604]

Re: What do your kids think of you?



OK, Mark, I havekids, so I'll comment.</P>


My daughter, now 23, loved music from birth, took Suzuki piano as a small child and continued piano for a few years. But in 5th grade dropped piano in favor of band. Became a fantastic bass clarinet player, all-state band, etc. Majored in music for about 3 semesters before getting bummed out by 2nd year theory and changing her major. Graduated witha music minor, though.Still loves music, plays guitarquite well, can sit down at thepiano and play pretty well by ear or work out simple music.</P>


Son, 20, not as much a natural-born musician, but tolerated Suzuki piano through about 2nd grade. Played clarinet in band andwas first chair in high school, but did not want to be in college band, to my dismay, but it was his choice and we supported him. Surprisingly, he turned out to be a decent MIDI-electronic-techno musician and can compose on his keyboard using computer software. Writes background music for his video productions. Still knows enough piano to play some easy stuff. I've actualy come home a few times to find him at the piano, to my delight.</P>


Neither one is particular interested in playing the organ. Probably see it as "Dad's thing" rather than something they could take up and enjoy.They are probably intimidated by all the knobs and stuff, though both have gone to work with me (servicing organs) on many occasions and seemed to enjoy playing around with organs.</P>


What do they think of me? (assuming you mean as an organist, musician, career in music, etc.). . . . Well, they have adopted some of my taste in music -- bothenjoy traditional church music and pretty much detest the rock/pop/happy-clappy stuff. However, they actually are not very committed to even going to church right now, sort of in that young adult questioning, looking-for-boundaries stage of life. But I trust that they will come back to church in time.</P>


They are, I think, glad that I am a musician and organist, even though they don't hear me play very often at church. They do tell me they enjoy the music of the organ when they are in church.</P>


At least they aren't turned off to my music, and they don't consider me too much of a nerd, at least I don't think they do.</P>


My other "kid" -- my youthful business partner -- isn't much older than my kids and he also shares their general feelings about church music, preferring traditional music and hymns to contemporary. And he is a fantastic organist,which makes me proud, though he was already playing before we met.</P>


I think there are a lot of young adults who aren't drawn to the show-business rock and roll style of worship that many churches are adopting with the supposed intent of attracting "young people." And that is one big way in which today's church is failing. Trying to make itself look more like the secular world in order to feel "familiar" just isn't going to work in the long run, IMHO.</P>


John</P>
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[Hammondlover]

Re: What do your kids think of you?



I don't have any children, and to be truthful, really can't stand them so I probably never will! [:P]</P>


My niece, can't stand her, only 7 so I really don't know what she thinks. If her finger so much graces a key of the organ she'll get a very dirty look. Her mother is my older sister. She's always been the mean big sister up until recently, now she's just annoying and pushy, so I get teased by her. She's seven years older than me. </P>


My younger brother plays guitar, he's expressed an interest in starting keyboard, he's more into modern stuff, computers and things. He never stops talking about computers, so I just mention the ENIAC and he shuts up (I have an infatuaton with ridiculously unrealistic andcomplex inventions). He is six years younger than me. </P>


I find it hard to play/practice around them. The younger brother gripes because I play certain pieces over and over (that's why it's called practice you dimwit). The older sister teases me about how it sounds (I like the old radio style - 808808008 with lots of vibrato and throw in as many diminished 7ths as possible). </P>


Ithink other members here who are middle childrenmight know what I'm talking about. </P>
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[crapmaster]

Re: What do your kids think of you?

I have a 7 year old and she likes the organ. It's interesting to find out what music she likes best. She tends to be drawn to specific composers. She's loved every Buxtehude piece I've ever played, but has never liked any Bach. She also especially likes some chorale preludes I play that were written by a local composer.

[james]

Re: What do your kids think of you?



John,</P>


A great post, and I really enjoyed your last paragraph. AMEN to that big time! You have some wonderful kids that are talented in their own way. It is nice that you have a young business partner in your line of work.</P>
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I never dreamed of the changes I have seen come on the world since I have reached a very mature age these days. I guess the digital organs are selling, but the home market is almost nil for new organs. I remember when it seemed so many people wanted an organ in their home. Many bought them thinking they could learn to play which does takes some time, personal interest, and time as you know.</P>
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James</P>


PS -I don't have any kids of my own, but was a "fill-in" Dad for two little boys who should have been mine. I loved them so much!!!!Their Mom later remarked to hersister that I was the only Daddy they knew. Then I have taught school a few years, and have had them there. So, yes I really care about young people who are sincere about their interests be it music, art, sports, mechanics, or anything worthwhile.</P>


Jas</P>

[Guest]

Re: What do your kids think of you?

I agree that there is a group of young adults who are not attracted by the glitz and the happy clappy stuff. My kids certainly aren't. My daughter has played some solo offertories on her french horn and has always chosen high church tunes.

[jbird604]

Re: What do your kids think of you?



Mark,</P>


Interesting that many of us seem to know young people who aren't being "reached" by this massive effort to make church comfortable and attractive to them. Wonder if this is indicative of some statistical reality . . . </P>


On this subject, IMHO,a realistic look around will confirm that the current contemporary music trend or fad is mainly driven by:</P>


(1) publishing houses who see an opportunity to make some big money selling their music, CDs, canned power-point and video productions, and licensing rights. Along with the big sound and video companies who see every new church building as an opportunity to make a killing on vastly oversold and mostly unnecessary equipment.</P>


(2) pastors and musicians of the boomer erawho grew up with rock music and without genuine musical training who "dig" this stuff because it reminds them of their teens and young adulthood and is music they can perform on the only instruments they know -- guitar and drums,</P>


(3) "church growth" adherents who see the rock and roll mega-churches filling huge arenas with smiling people eager to dropmoney into the offering plate</P>


(4) a few sincere but mis-guided folks who think that whatever works to spread the gospel and get folks saved is perfectly fine. What they haven't considered is that marketing the Gospel like deodorant and condoms severely reflects on both the product and the marketers.You don't have to look any further than the nearest "once booming but now empty" Great Big Church on the Corner to realize that such marketing schemes eventually run their course and the people who were drawn to it are not really committed. Were they even "saved?" Only God knows, but it looks like a mighty poor outcome to me.</P>


My vision and hope for the future of the church is that this current thing will run its course and there will be a tremendous outcry against the hucksters who have perpetrated it. Then there will be a renewed appreciation for real music and authentic worship. Perhaps it won't be the familiar hymns that I grew up with, butsurely the current claptrap will be put aside in favor of something of value.</P>


Just venting, as I have to do sometimes.</P>


John</P>
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[james]

Re: What do your kids think of you?



jbird,</P>


You said matters so well. We do think alike, and I pray that matters will turn around someday. As my Dad always said it is all about $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and the churches are just another racket especailly the kind my Mom went to as well as took both of us boys. It was a place of fear, highly emotional fiery sermons, mostly the burning hell, and for the non educated to scare them into emptying those billfolds and purses of their hard earned money the past week or maybe even their electric bill money for the Lord. I say it with all honesty the emotional scarring that was done to me in that type of "church" has had lasting effects on me. It was nothing but another form of child abusefrom that emotional mess. I wonder how many of that bunch were "saved" back in those days.</P>


I personally know of at least half dozen churches who have done or tried the happy clappy crap that are quite large buildings with than less than two dozen people currentlyon a Sunday AM. One has gone back to singing Southern Gospel because what few musicians areleftcan't play the happy clappy tunes.Now thatis an indication of where they have tried something and failed. I told their church pianist this past week it is good enough for your pastor to see thefoolishness of trying toattract the younger generation. So now that is where all those $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ have gone nowdays. I would say literally wasted. I think some of the people have been taught or "fed" the wrong thing, and no doubt are more than confused such as I was back when. I can see why some people cuss more after they go to church than they did before they went.[:)] It is very discouraging. What these churches won't do for the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ begs description.</P>


I sometimes vent too, but what irks me is that gifted and talented musicians are pushed out completely for this mess. I know of several organs that were given away. I have one now that a church did away with because they no longer wanted to use the organ for their "type" of music they were going to start doing. As mentioned here on the forum you can often find organs beside a dumpster at the church just waiting for the weekly pickup for the landfill. </P>


I really got off the subject here, and the ADM might put this in the Grease Pit irdelete it,but I am thankful some young kids and the younger generation are not going to hear this either.</P>


James</P>