As a child I spent several years in the National Children's Home (NCH). The family we were part of had a boy my age who was taking piano lessons, he was very good. At ten he would play the organ for the service in 'Little Church' (St. Francis of Assisi) on the grounds of the Home. I wanted to play like Oliver, I really wanted to have piano lessons. I have no idea if Mum was ever asked to pay extra for me to have those lessons, I do not believe so, as there is nothing in my file from NCH to indicate that I wanted piano lessons.
Once I was back home with Mum (age 11), I asked her if I could have piano lessons. I could already read music, at least the treble clef, because I was learning to play tenor horn for the Salvation Army brass band at our congregation. Mum found a music teacher in our village, she was the organist for the village Anglican church. My dream had come to fruition and I began my formal lessons.
As a teen I played in a Salvation Army brass band. The pianists of the congregation slowly married, moved, etc. to the point that other than the bandmaster, Mr. Burton who only played by chords, there was no one to play piano/organ when the band did not play. It was at that point in my life that I was asked to help with congregational singing by playing the piano/organ and play for the both choirs. I had no idea how to play four part harmony, I had not been taught yet. I agreed to at least play the melody line. During this transition my music teacher died and there were no other teachers locally.
Music was taught in our school at that time and this continued my music education. Piano I was on my own to play and learn on my own time. When not at school I played for my Mum when she sang for various church ladies groups. By the time I left home (19 years old), to study at the Salvation Army International Training College I was playing not only four part harmony but also accompaniment, not great by any means. At age 21 I had my first breakdown and I stopped attending church and never played again for 14 years.
I began going back to Church (The Salvation Army), when my children were young. Once again I joined the brass band and was then asked to assist with playing the piano and or organ. Having not played in years I was not sure if I even was capable of playing anything. A big purchase was my Eterna (Yamaha) piano and once again I began to play. When I felt comfortable playing I started teaching my children, they were already learning to play brass instruments, sadly this did not last for long. My daughter decided she wanted lessons from someone else and my son had zero interest in playing.
My playing fell back into accompanying congregational singing for a few years. After leaving the Salvation Army and began attending St. Peter's Lutheran (LC-C) Church, my playing was not required. I began to learn how to sing, to really listen to each note, not only hear the music but to feel it in my mouth and head. I came to love singing as much as I did playing. I did play the organ for morning Chapel Services on occasion at Concordia Lutheran College, when I was studying to get a BA degree. I also took a class in organ playing, my fingering left my Prof. struggling to help me unlearn and learn proper fingering, I probably still use my bad fingering today.
In 1999 Richard graduated from the Lutheram Seminary and we packed up to make our first move, away from Edmonton, Alberta to McNutt / Landestrau congregations in Saskatchewan, where Richard was Ordained. I began playing my keyboard for Sunday School. When the organist was not available I filled in. It seemed my playng was needed where my husband served Parishes that did not have a Pastor for a time. Our next move was to Nipigon. Ontario after a while I took over the organ playing at that Parish. Our finally move was to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 2008. There were a few years where I only played my keyboard for the Sunday School. Eventually becoming the full time pianist / organist for our congregation here at Redeemer Lutheran Church here.
Six years ago I began a new chapter in my playing. I asked two young girls in the congregation if they would like to learn how to play the piano, they said yes. The youngest is still having lessons and has progressed that she now plays parts of the Liturgy during Sunday morning Services.
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