What Careers involve Violin and Worship?

January 4, 2011 at 01:52 AM ·

I don't know of a specific job that would combine the two, but clergymen who are also very competent musicians are not uncommon.  A former leader of my chamber orchestra, who passed away some years ago, studied music and religion at university and found it difficult at first to make up his mind which to take as a career. He eventually found his vocation and was ordained as an Anglican priest, but he continued his professional-level violin playing as an amateur, both in a quartet and as an orchestral leader. The two vocations came together when he was appointed vicar (and later rector) of his own church and so was able to organize concerts in his church in which his own orchestra played.

January 4, 2011 at 02:31 AM ·

 I agree with the above post, but also combining it with "what do you think God wants you to do right now?" is a very important. I'm a sophomore in high school and know that God has blessed me with the violin, a fantastic teacher, and big dreams. I think it's worship even when you're just practicing, if you feel like God is pointing you to that. I know it's worship and God smiles upon me, for example, when I do exactly what I need to do to further myself in my violin playing, because I know that that is the path I'm set to do right now. So maybe just try to focus of what you need to do right now, and God will guide you if you ask Him to. Just my opinion. 

Good luck! :)

January 4, 2011 at 04:24 AM ·

You might want to look into the Masterworks Festival:

http://www.masterworksfestival.org/Masterworks-Festival-Prospective-Students-Overview.html

January 4, 2011 at 05:35 AM ·

Janine,

I am probably the guy who is most remote from music and religion in this community. So I man not able to say anything of immediate use.

I review, interview and hired many graduates and also coach them in career orientation. They are working in a job market.

In present consumer world, there is hardly a real market for passion and belief. It requires a strong mind and firm resolve tp pursue passion and belief.

Please keep going for your passion and belief while taking on some practical job to earn bread and butter. Or go on for passion and belief while securing a solid sponsor.

The Dutch painter, Vicent van Gogh, concentrated in 10 years painting career while his brother sponsored him for life time.

Be confident and act on your cause while having some practical means for life.

January 4, 2011 at 07:44 AM ·

Playing in a church service certainly qualifies as "worship" so if you like it that's great. But your question raises another question to me. How does one separate what one does as "spiritual" vs. "nonspiritual?" 

In my mind, one cannot separate the two. You can be a violinist and play music that is not specifically categorized as worship and be "worshipful" in how you approach it. All things are spiritual, in my opinion. Just another way of looking at it if you hadn't looked at it that way. :)

January 4, 2011 at 12:12 PM ·

 I'm not sure you can make a career out of it, but you could consider becoming music director at a church.  That would probably mean learning at least piano, and singing, though, in addition to violin. Our church has two co-music directors, a husband and wife team.  The husband, who is a music professor during the week, plays the piano, and the wife, who is an oboist and a Kodaly teacher during the week, leads the choir and chooses and/or hires instrumentalists.  She also leads the youth choirs.  Sometimes she plays her oboe during services.  He always plays the piano during services.  They both play a role in choosing the music and work with the minister and the worship committee and the director of religious education to choose music for services.  I play my violin and viola in church relatively frequently, but it's all volunteer.  I love the chance to play with the director, though, and occasionally with other church musicians.

January 4, 2011 at 04:48 PM ·

I'm glad you want to use your music to honor God.  Everyone is rightfully encouraging you to be wary when considering this as a viable option for sustainable income, but I would like to add this:

Be wary of declaring a specific call or purpose in life as being designated by God.  God has much more concern for your heart than what you choose to do for a living.  You choose to serve Him or not serve Him daily, depending on what actions you take and what motives lie in your heart.  "Whatever you do", do it for God, work at it with all your heart, give glory to Him, and don't be discouraged when you think you've found what it is you want to do and it doesn't work out for you--at first.  I've been surprised and awed over the years at the path my life has taken, and couldn't have even imagined the steps it would take to get me where I am today.  If I'd tried, I couldn't have planned it this way.  On the contrary, most of my own plans have failed me.  I struggled for many years feeling that I'd tried my best to follow what God wanted only to be deceived.  God is not hiding from you.  He has told you everything you need to know, and can't wait to unfold what He has in store for you.  Just try your best at whatever it is you want to do and always check your motives.  Diligence combined with God's provision will see you through even the most difficult financial times.  

January 4, 2011 at 11:44 PM ·

Janine, I love this discussion and some great comments that have been posted. I think Emily gets to one of the main cores of the issue and I'll try not to just say the same thing--but no matter what you are doing, invest your life in knowing and loving and serving God and the worship will flow into whatever you do--whether it's Beethoven or Suzuki or praise choruses, teaching or performing or doing something totally different but using your music and church and in the lives of others to be a blessing! I can give you a couple ideas of pursuits that specifically combine your passions...not all that I'm listing are career paths in themselves but more "life investments" though some are. Maybe you will end up with a few of these! For myself, I was a music education major, am now working primarily as a teacher who is actively involved in church and ministry and many of these come from my own experience.

*As Trevor mentioned, follow a ministry path and use your music in it in any way you can. Perform with your church orchestra or string group, start a church orchestra or a children's orchestra in your church

*And yes, it probably won't be super-lucrative, but some larger churches and ministries do employ full-time music leaders. You may have to teach on the side but most orchestra musicians do anyway :)

*Join a performing group, church-based or community or professional, that's focused on God *Record your worship music--marketing could be an adventure, but at least in my experience I don't think the market for violin worship music is exhausted.

*Teach! Ok, it's not always the high of performing but I honestly think this is one of the most practical ways to minister and worship. I teach in a private setting where I'm free to talk about my faith in lessons and even in a public school there are so many ways to touch lives

*Compose/arrange for publication. I am always looking for well-done and fresh sacred arrangements to play, for solo and orchestra and ensemble, at all levels; and I'm sure I'm not the only one!

*Whatever your career path, build your skills to the best they can be and never stop looking for opportunities to worship God with them, in big ways and little ways.

January 5, 2011 at 02:07 AM · the choirmaster and organist at my wife's church holds bachelor and masters degrees in sacred music although I do not know from what college. She oversees the musical and liturgical life of the parish. She was a board member of the national association of pastoral musicians.The association may provide you information. I would believe other large churches would also employ persons to oversee the musical and liturgical life of the church.

January 5, 2011 at 03:02 AM ·

 If you live your walk with God as a violinist, that is one important way to combine your two vocations.  I agree with the poster who urged against limiting yourself/God's will in you by deciding any one way is 'right.'   Live your love.

January 13, 2011 at 07:29 AM ·

Having passion for the Lord is awesome.  I have a TREMENDOUS passion for worship, and I pour out that passion through my violin.  I would love to share with you what the Lord has allowed me to do with the violin.  Even though I thought it would seem "weak", I got my hands on some good worship soundtracks (without any background vocals), and I started playing specials in my church as well as playing with the band.  Eventually, I started getting invited to other churches to play.  This evolved into a full time ministry of worship.  I have now conducted full worship services in hundreds of churches in the U.S. and several other countries.  God has supplied all of my needs.  As ministry goes, there are times of sacrifice and also times of plenty.  But, I have to say that the blessings are great.  The Lord allows me to lead others into His presence.  Please go to my website, listen to my latest CD, read about the things that I do, and watch my videos so that you can see how the violin can be used in worship.  And, by all means, please contact me through my website, and I'll be happy to talk to you about all of this.  My website is www.worshipviolin.com.

By the way, I have played professionally since I was 15 years old (I'm 41 now).  I have to say that most of the time my career just paid the bills.  Not much more than that.  Not very good pay compared to "normal" careers even though I worked with many celebrities and did "great" things.

I hope to get the opportunity to talk to you more about using the violin in worship and ministry.

God bless,

Mark Lewis

PS. Like others have told you already, find direction from the Lord.  He already has the perfect plan and purpose for your life.