I'm so grateful that I'm a part of the steemit community. I feel like I can voice my thoughts and the community will respond in appropriate ways. Not too long ago, my friend @organduo and I were discussing the issue of music, the church (Catholic—RC specifically) and finances. Why is it that musicians have to work and fight extremely hard to make a living? Unless you are in the upper echelon of the mainstream music world, a musician's financial wellbeing is pretty grim.

Why bother with all those years of lessons, examinations, diplomas, competitions, study and practice if the ROI is bad? With any other profession, you can basically decide to go to university after high school and study for 3-5 years and come out with a degree (then get a decent paying job). Whereas a musician who decides to study music at a tertiary level must already know how to play their chosen instrument and be at a suitable standard (as determined by the institution). In Australia, even if someone has any qualifications in music the career prospects are grim. Apart from pursing a performance career (e.g. see "How can concert organist make a living"), a fresh graduate can't even teach in schools without taking further education qualifications. They may teach privately, however, but the average income and for private music teachers is far lagging behind other professions.

It boggles my mind as to why musicians, hard working and talented, are often the least acknowledged and compensated in comparison to any other profession. I stress the words, HARD WORKING, because even talent needs to be trained and refined. Now I haven't even touched on musicians and the church yet...

Music ministry is such an integral part of any church's liturgical life. When something is important shouldn't we nurture, protect, support and grow it? In my experience, it seems that the Catholic church has somewhat "dropped the ball" in regards to music ministry in comparison to other Christian denominations. Of course, this also applies to keeping instruments in playable condition:

"The pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church, since it is its traditional instrument, the sound of which can add a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lift up men's minds to God and higher things."
Musicam Sacram #62

Musicians should be trained, capable and be aware of the sprit of the liturgy:

"It is highly desirable that organists and other musicians should not only possess the skill to play properly the instrument entrusted to them: they should also enter into and be thoroughly aware of the spirit of the liturgy, so that even when playing ex tempore, they will enrich the sacred celebration according to the true nature of each of its parts, and encourage the participation of the faithful"
Musicam Sacram #67

If we want the church to grow (in faith, hope and charity), then we must plant roots and invest in all the things that make it beautiful. Investing zero dollars will yield zero dollars, pay peanuts—get monkeys, "you get what you pay for".

Interested to hear what others think...