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

[Paul R. Jones]

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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