How does somebody actually become a church musician?  I'm sure there are many pathways, some intentional, and some coincidental!

My story started very unintentionally, for sure.  My father was a minister, so I was always in church.  I was a piano student, and a pretty good one (first successful competition in fourth grade.) We were in a small town, and the church actually had a pipe organ, and an organist, somebody who had played for a very small fee for a very long time.

This organist had developed the habit of showing up about 5 minutes before the start of worship, which made my Dad nervous.  To get to the point, he asked if I would consider learning organ enough to play for worship if she didn't show up.  I took 2 lessons from a college student, and played my first service at the age of 14.

I had 2 books, and could play hymns, so my career path was in its infancy!

Karen Stoody

Organist

Carillon Handbell Choir Director