Carole Pracht has marked 50 years as the organist at Wichita’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a tenure that spans nearly every Sunday since she began in the mid-1970s. Except for rare occasions, such as the birth of her son Kevin, Pracht has played for thousands of Masses at the cathedral and continues to serve at St. Francis of Assisi parish on Saturday evenings.

“I have missed very few Sundays since I started,” Pracht said. “But I didn’t make it on the Sunday morning after I had a baby at 9 o’clock Saturday night.”

Alan Held, Director of Sacred Music at the cathedral, estimates that Pracht has played approximately 10,000 Masses during her service. He praised her dedication and musical ability: “Carole is such a committed organist, committed to her responsibilities at the cathedral and to all of the people with whom she is working. She is a model accompanist, but an outstanding soloist, too. She meets with all those getting married at the cathedral to make their special day even more beautiful. She also shows great compassion when working with families when they meet to plan funerals as well. The diocesan ordinations would not be the same thrilling and uplifting liturgies without her skill. And the more quiet and reflective moments have her playing, expertly, the meditative music that hits the right note every time. And, to do this for 50 years? Wow, that’s special.”

Pracht began playing organ while still in grade school after being encouraged by her music teacher at St. Joseph Elementary School in Wichita. Her piano skills helped her transition to organ performance for church services.

“Practically anything for piano can be played on the organ,” she said. “There’s a wonderful array of literature that is made specifically for the organ.”

She described how organ music differs from piano: “The organ is like the human voice – the singing voice,” Pracht said. “Every single organ sound sings until you release it, so the organ can create a solo voice or an entire choir of voices to lead congregational singing. A piano can’t do that. The piano sound decays immediately, and that’s why it doesn’t work as well in large rooms, where the acoustics can support singing.”

Pracht witnessed significant changes in church music following Vatican II when Mass transitioned from Latin and introduced new styles into liturgy.

“I think of all the music we once did and thank God we are not doing some of that anymore,” she laughed. “Our Catholic Church has a historic treasury of music for liturgy that we must honor and continue to add only the best.”

Her initial role at the cathedral came while she was finishing her degree at what was then Sacred Heart College in Wichita; she substituted during Advent and Christmas when needed by another organist from Germany before taking on regular duties.

Over five decades in Wichita’s Cathedral choir loft brought experiences ranging from building renovations to wildlife encounters and camaraderie among choir members.

“(Former choir director) Jim Jones and I worked together for more than 40 years,” she said. “He had a good sense of humor, we learned excellent music, and enjoyed every minute.”

Held acknowledged Pracht’s influence during his own transition into leadership: “For so many years, Jim Jones and Carole, along with other musicians were such a team at the cathedral...when I came on board in 2021 Carole was an outstanding resource for liturgical needs...I have counted on her for so much help in developing ‘cathedral sound’...She is a blessing to us all.”

Pracht explained how playing for liturgy has deepened her spiritual engagement: “A musician for liturgy has to dig deep into theology and Church music history...Living through many repetitions of those cycles really deepens your spirituality and love of liturgy...You try to tie in your music with liturgy to enhance it in every way possible.”

She finds particular fulfillment practicing alone in the church: “Practicing in here and having church to myself is best time ever,” she said.

The Cathedral will recognize Pracht’s five decades as its organist with an event featuring music and a reception on November 22.