Twelve-year-old Justin Knabach already holds down a music job usually handled by an adult. At least once a month, he's the organist at worship services at his north St. Louis County church.

And, he wants to become the head organist at Salem Lutheran Church in Black Jack. That would mean playing for up to five worship services every weekend.

That's not too bad for a kid who took up the organ only a year ago.

Of course, he had over five years of piano lessons before that.

Justin said, "I've always liked to play music. My dad played the piano a little. When I was young, I'd watch him and then try to finger the music like he did.

"I could play music before I learned how to read music."

Knabach's musical ability has earned him the designation as an AmerenUE Bright Star. That's an award program sponsored by the AmerenUE utility company and KFUO/Classic 99 radio station.

The awards are given to youngsters who show improvement in their musical efforts.

Justin definitely fits into that category. He's one of three organists who rotate playing at Salem Lutheran Church's regular worship services. He shares the organ rotation with the wife of a seminary student and a school teacher.

He said he'd very much like to be the church's only organist.

The church organist's job is more than just playing the hymns the minister selects. The organist has to select the prelude and postlude music. Then, there's deciding on what music is appropriate for other parts of the service.

"You get to plan a musical strategy for the church service. That's part of the fun of the organ," Justin said.

He also said the organ is a "stronger sounding" instrument than a piano and "more complex." He also likes the idea that the feet have an important--and sometimes independent--role in the music.

He said one of the important parts of his organ practices are working on foot exercises. Sometimes he plays whole melodies with his feet, not using his hands at all.

He said coordinating the feet and hands "isn't hard for me."

He said he definitely likes the organ better than the piano now. "I don't take piano lessons anymore although I continue to play the piano at home alot," he said.

"I like classical music but I don't have any special favorites. I just play alot," he said.

He began taking organ lessons in October, 2000. By last Christmas, he was playing for services at Salem Lutheran. His current organ teacher is Mark Bender of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Des Peres.

Justin said he gets to practice on the Salem Lutheran Church's organ, which he considers a very fine instrument. The organ was completely reworked a couple years ago as a part of the church's 150th anniversary celebration.

He said he usually practices two or three times week. But, on the weeks that he is scheduled to play at the worship services, he practices more often. He also has played music for funerals at the church and a nearby funeral home.

When an organist plays at Salem Lutheran, he or she is responsible for playing at one service on Saturday, two or three on Sunday and another on Monday.

The usual pattern calls for two Sunday services. But, once a month, a third service is added for shut-ins who get special transportation for an afternoon service.

Justin is one of eight Knabach children. The six of them who are of school age are all home-schooled.

Most of the children have an interest in music. From time to time, three or four of them, including Justin, will play music at the Delmar Gardens North Nursing Home while residents have lunch.

Justin also provides piano accompaniment for a choir at the Salem Lutheran School. Although he is home-schooled, he also gets to participate in the choir's singing.