Crystal Cathedral orchestra members walk out of Easter service over lack of pay

Easter at the Crystal Cathedral was once one of the church's signature events: packed with people, decorated with a flurry of fresh flowers, a full orchestra and a pageant performed with flying angels.

But this year, things were different.

About a quarter of the orchestra -- including an oboist, flautist, and two French horn players -- walked out a mere hour before services began on Sunday. They refused to play when they found their paychecks had been shortchanged, in some cases by half of what they were verbally promised.

Crystal Cathedral official John Charles said services weren't impacted by the eight people who walked out. Checks have been sent to those who performed.

"No one would have ever known they were missing," he said.

He said that the erroneous check amounts were "accounting errors" that resulted from unintentional miscommunication.

"We're sorry that it happened," Charles said.

But over the years, performers have watched the Cathedral's once-majestic musical programming dwindle. In addition to their financial problems, the church has undergone significant leadership changes. Longtime leader the Rev. Robert H. Schuller retired, followed by the very public ousting of his son and successor Robert Anthony Schuller in 2008. Sheila Schuller Coleman replaced her brother, but the congregation remains highly critical of church leadership.

"This church is known for three things: an inspiring minister with a vision, fabulous music and wonderful architecture," said oboe player Holly Patterson, one of the musicians who walked out on Sunday. "Out of those three things, only one exists now."

Patterson, of Claremont, said the decision to leave was not taken lightly.

"The reason that this hurts so much is this core group has been so loyal," she said.

Many of the musicians still haven't been paid for services from last Easter.

"We wouldn't allow the church to go into any more debt on our behalf," said Paul Loredo, a French horn player who was in the Hour of Power orchestra for more than 25 years.

"We couldn't keep playing and not getting paid for it and just getting taken advantage of," said Mary Oppermann of Ladera Ranch. Oppermann, a principal flute player, started at the church in September of 2001.

"Up until now, it was a really great experience for everybody. We just loved it."

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-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Photo: Exterior of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Borchy]

"No one would have ever known they were missing," he said.

What a REALLY great way to put things!!!!

He said that the erroneous check amounts were "accounting errors" that resulted from unintentional miscommunication.

SO that tells me that there is INTENTIONAL miscommunications in this place????

It's sad and pathetic to see that SO many people actually believe in this god and church crap!!!! It's nothing more than a scam pulled off by a few to bilk a tremendous amount of weak minded people out of BILLIONS of dollars a year!!!

[zygion]

Weren't people complaining last year about not getting paid.

[Rev. Bates]

Very sorry to see this happening at the Crystal Cathedral. Dr. Schuller has given so much of his life to this ministry and no matter what happens here, his devotion to those who followed his very inspiring messages, will be remembered for decades.

[guest]

"Many of the musicians still haven't been paid for services from last Easter."

Seems like theft of services is covered under "thou shalt not steal."

[Astonished]

I always find it interesting that people think that the only way to worship the Lord is through these huge lavish contrived edifaces called cathedrals or churches.

Does anyone really believe that such over-the-top opulance is what God or Jesus requires in order for people to believe? Jesus was a humble man who wanted nothing for himself, and God, while creating the earth in all it's magnificence, built no temples to himself for worship. Do you really think that the church (any church) whould have leaders who live like kings (and I include all religons in this)?

I don't know, maybe I'm too old fashioned to see the value in all this money grubbing.

[RF]

As a fellow church musician, I sympathize with the players who walked out- there is a history there. Nehemiah is one book in the Bible that mandates how the musicians and singers are to be treated (treated well).

It is sad to read that a church is defined by anything other than love for Christ Jesus, love for (and equipping of) the saints, and love for the lost lived out in spreading the gospel. May we all pray that the Lord will be the heart and soul and honor of the Crystal Cathedral.

[Not Amused]

It is quite apparent by the comment made by Mr. Charles ~ "No one would have ever known that they were missing" ~ that he doesn't have ears... that, and he is entirely disrespectful of the musicians who make the services at the Crystal Cathedral what they are. The ridiculous and continuous statements coming from the various talking heads at that place of business (Jim Penner, Sheila Schuller Coleman, Gretchen Schuller Penner...) are arrogant, shameful, embarrassing, and display a total disregard for conducting their business in an honest manner. While I understand that longtime church members might find it hard to leave their place of worship, it would nonetheless be an ardent display of support for the musicians ~ and so many others who have provided their PROFESSIONAL services in good faith ~ if they were to do just that. A loud, clear, and unflagging message needs to be sent to the Schuller progeny, their spouses, Mr. Charles, and all involved in the ongoing destruction of what was once a proud, well run, and effective ministry. If not, they will continue to snub their noses at the world, take advantage of anyone and everyone who makes them look good, and hide behind their "God's will" nonsense.

[Despina]

I'm sure that the Schuller sisters bought new Easter outfits which probably totaled twice what they owed the musicians last Sunday. Their priorities are disgusting. There couldn't possibly be a miscommunication between the staff there because there's hardly any staff left!! Here it is: a payment was previously arranged and approved of by the senior music staff to pay the musicians a certain amount for Easter services; there was resistance by the new "yes-m'am" staff regarding the amount approved so they decided instead to pay the musicians what the Schuller sisters felt the musicians were WORTH.

Music transcends above all bad/good sermons. It touches the heart and can transform lives for the better within 15 seconds of hearing it. Hearing/singing just 1 hymn can transform a soul. And when the wounded or joyful heart can experience the sound of instruments mastered by a devoted professional musician who rises to the skills God has blessed them with, a life can be changed forever.

Music reflecting the magnitude of God's glory is not "missed" at the Crystal Cathedral? Are you kidding, Charles? You must be new.
Anyone who has attended or heard any of Sheila/Gretchen Schuller's whiney, scratchy, patronizing, sermons fit for a 3rd grader or Jim Penner's internet-regurgitated coma-inducing sermon-in-a-bag, would disagree with you. In fact, I'll bet the amount of gifts and offerings were down yet again last week. The viability of a church is directly connected to the offering plate, and CC's plates are practically empty since getting rid of quality music.
You, Charles, may not "miss" those musicians, but I'll bet you "miss" those 5-digit $undays when Roger Williams performed with a full orchestra, or when Johnny Carl conducted his "Amazing Grace" with not a dry-eye in the house.

Music at the cathedral was/is truly the only reason why most of the attendees from the past 40 years came, and why they no longer come. Nothing can explain the recent exodus. Nothing. Except perhaps the lack of inspiring sermons and music no longer feeding the souls of God's children. The Schuller girls can't even inspire themselves! And it looks like they haven't missed a meal, that's for sure.

The musicians who perform at CC regularly accept pay which is at least half of what they usually get in other venues and ensembles. Musicians like Mary and Holly accept the lower pay at CC because they enjoy the worship and fellowship they give in God's name and they also take seriously their ability to minister to those who hear and feel the music played.
Expecting compensation as per arranged then subsequently leaving the premises when that arrangement was violated, is understandable.
Dare we make the assumption that the Schuller girls enforced their own receiving of compensation for their "professional" services rendered last Sunday? I'm pretty sure they're not doing it for free. Those sisters get paid as arranged only because they've convinced people of their delusions of being qualified "professionals".

If the musicians wouldn't mind, let me make a proposal: how about the musicians abstaining from their weekly payments if it were in exchange for one of those special tax-free $300,000 "housing allowances" the Schullers so freely offer people on their payroll? Seems fair to me.

[Lisa Williams]

Oh how the mighty have fallen.