Hmmm. That’s very interesting. I am a professional musician, and I would certainly agree that probably the majority are in the musician’s union, and many have a more “progressive” mindset. I really don’t know anyone, though, that would blacklist a Catholic church for these reasons. They would have to blacklist a few different churches, universities, etc. in this region. I guess your city is different though!
Actually, the only churches I know of who are holding on to the truth that gay marriage is wrong and practicing homosexual sex acts is wrong are the Catholic churches and the Evangelical Protestant churches. I know of no other churches that have held onto this truth. All of the Lutheran churches that I know of not only validate gay marriage, but make it clear that they are a “welcoming church.” Same for all the mainlines (Episcopal, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, United Church of Christ, etc.).
In recent years (since I was a child), I have never seen “classical” musicians play in Evangelical Protestant churches. Never. I don’t even hear an organ anymore, although I know it’s done in the “traditional” worship services, but generally, it’s “gospel” organ, not classical. It’s all praise and worship in Evangelical Protestant churches. When I was growing up, it was gospel, rock, traditional praise, contemporary praise, and this all morphed into the simplistic praise and worship choruses that are done nowadays. No room for a violinist or any other classical musician. That’s probably for the best, since they wouldn’t play in these churches anyway because of the musicians stand with the homosexuals and their quest for “rights.”
I’ve heard classical musicians in the Catholic churches in our cities twice; once for a production of Mozart’s Requiem (beautiful) and once for a Faure work (can’t remember which, but it’s gorgeous). In both cases, the orchestra (chamber) was hired and paid well. They were professional musicians, not volunteers, and they are darned good and deserve to be paid.
We do a big production of Handel’s Messiah in our city; it involves over 30 different churches of all denominations, as well as several schools and organizations, and individuals from all faiths, including Jews and atheists. (I have yet to see a Muslim in the large chorus.) The chorus is all volunteer, but the musicians are paid union rates. No volunteers, even for the practices (a rehearsal accompanist is paid $50/hour).
I haven’t seen volunteer musicians in churches since I was a child, and certainly not in big classical works.
BTW, I don’t accept payment for my playing at my Catholic parish. I do accept payment (and expect payment) for playing at other parishes. I would (and do) play for free if there is true need.
I don’t understand one of your statements. Why would musicians boycott universities? They’re all completely liberal when it comes to gay rights. Many of the professional musicians in our city teach at one of the colleges or universities.
) The state of musical education in the US isn’t the best, but I wouldn’t doubt that a sizable parish might a quite a few parishioners who played violin, or cello, or flute etc. all through out high school and college, stopped after school, but would be more than willing to pick it up again given an outlet like this.