SOPP495: Unfortunately the organ music is almost dead here in Costa Rica, learning organ playing here is almost impossible

Vidas: Hi guys, this is Vidas!
 
Ausra: And Ausra!
 
V: Let’s start episode 495 of Secrets of Organ Playing Podcast. This question was sent by Andrés, and I asked him how his organ playing is going these days, and he writes:
 
“Well... unfortunately the organ music is almost dead here in Costa Rica, learning organ playing here is almost impossible. Fortunately I have access to a pipe organ and I give the maintenance but I don't have a teacher who can guide me in organ playing." 
 
V: So, Ausra, I think this feedback applies to a lot of people around the world who live in countries where there is not much interest in organ music.
 
A: True! And in general, some how, when I read the name Costa Rica, other things came into my mind. Maybe I’ll tell this funny story,
 
V: Sure
 
A: Because my school of art is desperate for all kinds of foreign relations, and one of the piano teachers has an old Russian friend in Costa Rica who teaches piano there. So she made all this big international relationship with Costa Rica, established it, and she’s so pompous and so proud about it, but it makes me sort of smile all the time, because I don’t think Costa Rica has an old classical music tradition. So, maybe if you would establish relationships with such a country such as an Austria, or Germany, or France, maybe that way you could be so proud and pompous about it.
 
V: Yeah
 
A: Of course, for money, you can get good teachers there as well, but still, I don’t think it’s a country that dictates a fashion of classical music, and of organ music, too.
 
V: Plus it’s a personal relationship.
 
A: Yes, it is.
 
V: Person to person. Exactly. I was thinking about this when Andrés writes that he has a pipe organ. This is a privilege, right?
 
A: Yes, it is, and I think that he is lucky to be living nowadays when there is this great Internet connection with the global world. So, I don’t think it’s a problem getting information nowadays, and studying online.
 
V: He has access to a pipe organ. It’s not the same as owning a pipe organ, of course, but still, if he can use it, it’s very convenient.
 
A: Yes, it is actually!
 
V: And, he mentions pipe organ, not electronic organ, so, it’s a double privilege in my mind.
 
A: True.
 
V: And, as you say, Internet can be a great help. Information is abundant today, and with our Website, with our courses and training programs that we offer through the Total Organist, for example, it’s really possible to advance in your organ playing using nothing else; only online material.
 
A: Yes, and of course, you have other advantages in Costa Rica. I think the country in itself must be very beautiful.
 
V: And it’s relatively well developed!
 
A: Yes, because our principal and some other ….. of the staff from administration went to Costa Rica, pretending also on these deep scientific relations.
 
V: Part of the project.
 
A: Yes, part of the project. So…
 
V: And probably, they had a good time.
 
A: I guess so, yes! Enjoying the nice nature of Costa Rica, the friendly people…
 
V: Yeah, all of us should go there if it’s so nice.
 
A: Yes, maybe you could give some master classes on that pipe organ.
 
V: Yes.
 
A: that Andrés is mentioning.
 
V: Well guys, I think you get the point, that today, of the Internet age, sometimes we even have 5G Internet in some countries already, but in other countries, 5G will come quite soon. So, if you have a lesser quality Internet, not as fast, it’s still fast—much faster than it was in the 19th century, for example.
 
A: True.
 
V: You guys can laugh, but if we think about it, we all have, even the poorest people today, have more resources than the king of France had back in the 18th century.
 
A: I think you are right, actually!
 
V: King of France! Yes. So, if you are reading this or listening to this podcast, you have more resources than the King of France back in the day.
 
A: Yes! I think the trouble is that sometimes people don’t know what to do with these technologies, and they just use them for nonsensical things.
 
V: Yes, cat videos!
 
A: Well… Sometimes maybe you…
 
V: We need them, too… we need to smile sometimes, and laugh. Alright guys, please send us more of your questions; we love helping you grow. And remember, when you practice,
 
A: Miracles happen