Having the top organists (aside from current staff) be performers -not just local musicians

Too short

Music has no denomination. Perhaps less emphasis on CofC and more on how music is a part of everyone's daily lives and spiritual journey.

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On rare occasions a demonstration recitalist will perform selections which are Very Challenging for the uninitiated listeners - without leading the listeners into an understanding of what will occur before. Then the listeners usually choose to not return again. Fortunately this condition is not a very frequent occurence.

Music is played too far over the heads of the average visiter.

Programs should include shorter varied works unless a special audience is "ready" for a program of just long, major organ works.

Announcing through local paper, E-mail and The Saints Herald.

none

I know a lot of the people that go are visitors to the city, or for me it is a 45 minute drive, but I still love it. I know several people that attend drive over 30 minutes, so perhaps a longer concert time would be more incentive for attending.

Never have fallen short-----always good.

When unfamiliar songs are played that fail to meet the needs of guests. For me, I crave to listen to traditional church hymns that allow me feel the Spirit and know the Lord is present. When the music is so beautiful that my eyes water, I never want to leave.

It's ironic that the best attended services at Conference consistently seem to be the musical eveings, not the preaching services, yet the organ recital turn outs that I've been to are abysmal. Perhaps there should be some hymn singing at the recitals. Most people seem to prefer the organ for hymn singing rather than for meditation.

Too few recitals - could introduce players of less than agency star rating (very nearly as good, but cost far less)

Some recitals I have heard didn't utilize a variety of sounds/registrations

Please use the Pontifical trumpets/en chamade more. Also I would be interested in seeing the Auditorium organ WITH the antiphonal organ in use.

Insufficient communication about recitals & times

Keeping programs more light and cheerful vs dissonant and unfamiliar type music to the general public.

They need to be geared to listeners not organ experts! Listen-able music, things average people will relate with. Yes organists like to play their hardest, loudest, longest pieces but that doesn't always meet the average persons interest.

They are out of touch with contemporary culture.

Demonstrate the workings of the organ. Play a beautiful and familiar song. Leave the people wanting more, not wishing they could gracefully, but quickly exit the building. Think about it...have you ever attended a concert of an unfamiliar musical style and had to sit through long song after long song which you've never previously heard? How much more enjoyable is it to listen to pleasant and familiar music at a concert. You start to tap your foot, sing along, become a part of the experience.

As serious musicians, there is a desire to play major works of a length that makes accomplishing the goals of 23 impossible. I think we need to save those major works for special occasions or groups.

The time element seems to be the most challenging - people say they want to hear the organs, but if that's not possible on their timeframe, they don't want to wait for 3:00. Sometimes poor playing or unenthusiastic organists are also a problem.

There is one organist, while very good, talks to much during his selections.

It would be good to have more recitals, perhaps by students and visiting organists who would be willing to play without charge.

More familiar hymns and music would be appealing to many.