The next summer my Dad was appointed to a different small church, in another town with a pretty decent pipe organ, and a story of a long-time faithful organist who had finally retired at the age of 80 something. One other slightly older teen and I were called to be a team, each playing twice a month.  I learned all the familiar hymns (hymn sing at least once a month!) and bought a couple more books, in addition to a book of wedding music.  I played twice a month for three years, all for no pay.  The church gave me a very nice monetary gift when I graduated from high school, and I thought being a church musician was something I might always be doing.  Plus, funerals actually did provide a small honorarium even back then, and weddings were a lot of fun. This was on my radar as a real choice now!

Karen Stoody

Organist

Carillon Handbell Choir Director