[Menvi-discuss] Want to talk to blind church pianists / organists

[Gillespie, Jeffrey]

Nancy,

I'm sighted and have been in church music, both full time and part time, for 40 years now, in various capacities, as organist, choir director, handbell choir director, praise and worship leader (of a worship band), etc.  I also teach music theory full time at Butler University in Indianapolis.  I am happy to connect with Timothy.  He can email me for starters, at jgillesp at butler.edu

The good thing about church music is that there are a variety of options, from doing it "all" to being part of a team where the duties are divided up.  Also, churches are all different now regarding musical style.  It would help to know the denomination and the worship style he prefers (traditional, contemporary, blended), and the size of church.  I've been doing blended for 12 years now but started out very traditional years ago. I spend a lot of time now singing lead in front of a worship band, while I play keyboard.  I used to be a traditional "organist-choir director"!  Anyway, I hope to hear from Timothy if he's interested in chatting.

Jeff Gillespie
________________________________
From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org [menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] on behalf of Dale Lieser [dale.lieser at gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2012 7:44 AM
To: 'This is for discussing music and braille literacy'
Subject: Re: [Menvi-discuss] Want to talk to blind church pianists / organists

Hi, Nancy,

I am totally blind and have been in church music many years as an accompanist of special music, hymn playing, etc.

If it seems now that Timothy is pursuing the impossible, remember, God equips us for what he has called us to do.

May I ask a couple questions about Timothy’s abilities? (Thank you. <smile>)


1.       What is his strongest area of playing?

2.       What improvisation talents and experience does he have?

3.       Although it is hard to measure, how proficient has he become at reading braille music. I realize he has just finished a course. But does reading come fairly easily, or is it yet quite a struggle?

4.       What kind of theory training has Timothy experienced? The more the better, in my strong opinion, concerning informed expectation when learning new music, whether with music or improvising from audio.

5.       If his ear is good, try this site for learning hymns: www.cyberhymnal.org<http://www.cyberhymnal.org>

6.       In your current church does Timothy have opportunity to stretch his playing and learning skills to know what his limits might be presently? Then, gradually take on more and more.

If your son has some proficiency with a screen reader, get him involved in this discussion directly.

Dale


From: menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org [mailto:menvi-discuss-bounces at menvi.org] On Behalf Of Paul R. Jones
Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 9:46 PM
To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
Subject: [Menvi-discuss] Want to talk to blind church pianists / organists



Hi all:

My son Timothy wants me to try to put him into contact with people who are (or know) working in a church as a pianist or organist.  He hopes to pursue a career in church music, but is presently rather discouraged, since both his piano and organ teachers (both sighted) were doubtful as to a blind person’s  (Braille reader only) ability to learn, every week, a new prelude, postlude, 3 or more hymns or praise songs, choir anthem, offertory special, and any other special music, not to mention the seasonal cantatas and playing for weddings, funerals, etc.  Both his teachers are pushing him more toward independent “concert” performance, but he feels called to church music and is torn, not knowing if he is attempting to pursue the impossible or not.

He has over 12 years of piano training, and 5 of organ, and has won numerous local, state, and national awards and scholarships in both piano and organ, as well as having performed publicly for various events and groups (from small senior citizens’ groups to state conventions). He has only light / shadow perception, and has just finished Dr. Taesch’s Braille Music Reading course.

If any of you are in this line of work or know someone who is, whom he could talk to for advice and encouragement, or if you have knowledge in this area, please write and share.

Thanks,
Nancy Jones

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://menvi.org/pipermail/menvi-discuss_menvi.org/attachments/20120505/4d42ada9/attachment.htm>