Campaign launches for equality between men & women in playing the organ

CAIRO – 2 March 2022: For many decades, female musicians have suffered from the dominance of men on playing the organ because of the instrument's wooden chairs that were not made for women.

According to the latest statistics, the average height of males in the UK is 5 feet 9 inches, while the average height of females is 5 feet 3 inches. Men make up 90 percent of the permanent directors and organists.

A campaign demanding adjustable seats was launched by the Association of Organ Players. The association stated to the Guardian that the adjustable seats will help ensure equality between men and women in playing this instrument, which has been reserved for men due to its compatibility with their sizes.

In addition, the association explained that the adjustable seat campaign would also help eliminate the increasing number of back pain injuries that some complain about, and will increase the chances of women and youth to play this instrument.

According to the association's report, two-thirds of nearly 500 participants in the association's survey did not have an adjustable seat, and nearly half said the lack of these seats affected their performance while playing.

It is known that cathedrals and large churches usually have the organ, and adjustable seats as well, but many small churches that have female musicians do not provide an adjustable seat for them, and therefore women are deprived of the profession they love.

The Women's Organists Association, which was set up in 2019 and now has 204 members, said fully adjustable seats cost around £1,800, so the cheaper solutions of fixed seats were the most affordable.