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Testimony / Bio
I started playing the piano around age 5. Much to my big
brother's frustration, I was able to play by ear some of the pieces that he was
diligently working on. I was on the piano bench at church by the time I was 12.
Attending a small Nazarene church in Spartanburg, SC, gave me a great place to
learn and develop. Under the leadership of my granddad, J.Y. Todd, I learned to
love the old "hymns of the church." The hymnal for me was a lot like the King
James Version of the Bible was for many - hard to give up. It was easy to
embrace the praise and worship movement, but I still find a lot of solace in the
hymnal.
Playing by ear made learning to read music a difficult process. Around age 10
(after I had played for 5 or so years) my parents decided it might be worth
trying to teach the child something. I had 4 piano teachers "graduate" me in the
first 2 years of study; they didn't want to deal with my ear. Looking back, I
certainly understand their frustration, but oh, how I wish someone could have
motivated me to learn to read early. In college, I was fortunate enough to study
with two great professors; Dr. Barbara McClain and Professor Jim Jarrett.
Barbara made me do the hard stuff, while Jim taught me to incorporate my ear
into the technical work of scales and arpeggios. I received my Bachelors degree
in Church Music from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. While the
thought of more schooling after that didn't appeal to me at all, I became a
student of worship, reading everything I could on the subject, attending
seminars and truly seeking God for ways to help His people connect. Creating an
atmosphere of worship is truly where I think God gifted me. All the other skills
He put in me were for that purpose. I'm thankful!
Throughout my career, I've worked in the church both full time and part time
leading worship, playing piano and organ and I'm currently the Director of Music
and Administration at the Richardson Church of the Nazarene in Richardson, TX.
My wife, Marianne is the "up front" worship leader while I try to make it all
happen in the background. I truly enjoy being at
the keyboard in a supportive role.
I've also worked with the Brook Mays Music Group selling Yamaha pianos,
Disklaviers and Clavinovas. Life is always an adventure!
I've been amazed at various stages of my life to see
God's hand leading. He has walked me through some deep valleys to get me to
where I am today. The toughest lesson has been to embrace the difficulty and
allow Him to teach and mold me in the rough places. I continue to be overwhelmed
by His faithfulness and His mercy.
"Day by day and with each passing moment,
strength I find to meet my trials here.
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day as He deems best.
Lovingly it's part of pain and pleasure
Mingling toil with peace and rest."
From the Hymn, Day by Day
Words by Carolina V. Sandell-Berg - Public Domain
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