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

[Marda]

I am a church musician who has worked in the field for over thirty years as both a pianist and organist as well as a choir director.  Yes, it can be a lot of work to keep up with all of the music but there are tricks and things you can do to help the process.  I will be happy to talk with you or your son.  I too am a totally blind Braille music reader.  Please write me off list at marda-pianist at sbcglobal.net if you want further contact.
Marda
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Paul R. Jones 
  To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org 
  Sent: Friday, May 04, 2012 8:46 PM
  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

   



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