Ethan Morris turned organist for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chillicothe when he was 16 years previous. Now 17, he’ll proceed serving in that function till he graduates from highschool in 2025. He plans to review organ efficiency in school. Picture: Chillicothe Bands/Fb
[Episcopal News Service] Ethan Morris realized to play piano when he was 9 years previous. He found the organ a yr later and instantly fell in love with the instrument.
Morris can also be fairly good at taking part in the organ – so good that he turned the organist for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Chillicothe, Ohio, within the Diocese of Southern Ohio, at 16 years previous. Now 17, Morris plans to proceed performing each Sunday worship service till he graduates from Chillicothe Excessive College subsequent yr.
“I fell in love with the organ because it’s a powerful and very versatile and expressive instrument,” Morris instructed Episcopal Information Service. “The organ can make you sound like you are playing a whole orchestra at your fingertips.”
Todd Boler, St. Paul’s music director, instructed ENS that he was “astounded” by Morris’ expertise when he auditioned for the organist place. He now serves as Morris’ mentor and has been instructing him the best way to carry out as an accompanist in any church setting. The objective is to assist put together him for upcoming school auditions and to develop into marketable as an expert musician, particularly throughout a time when the variety of skilled church organists is declining whereas essentially the most selective music colleges cap admission to 1 or two organ efficiency majors per tutorial yr.
“I’m trying to teach him to be a well-rounded church musician so that he can be able to play not only for us, an Episcopal church, but also for a Roman Catholic church, or for a Lutheran church,” Boler mentioned. “Now he can follow me as I’m singing if I’m picking up the tempo or slowing it down, which is an important skill when following a choir or a recitative.”
In music, a recitative is when a singer follows an atypical speech rhythm. They normally sing most of the phrases on the identical observe. Recitatives are generally sung in sacred music, together with oratorios, comparable to George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” The Rev. Rowena Macgregor, affiliate rector of St. Paul’s, instructed ENS that she considers fostering Morris’ development as a musician a type of ministry for the church.
“He’s really become a gift to the greater church,” she mentioned. “Really, there’s so much hidden talent right here in the Chillicothe community.”
Morris’ repertoire goes past classical church music. He has additionally impressed the St. Paul’s congregation with performances starting from jazz to music from the Romantic period. In December 2023, he performed a recital at St. Paul’s and carried out works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Dieterich Buxtehude, César Franck and others from reminiscence. He additionally confirmed off his improvisation abilities.
“Ethan left people speechless, and not just at his recital,” Boler mentioned. “When worship ends every week, I have yet to see anyone leave the church until he is finished with his postlude, and they always applaud. Our congregation looks forward to the last part of the service every week, and we’re all proud of him.”
Boler mentioned Morris could play one other recital within the fall, however no date has been set.
Morris mentioned he plans to audition on the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio, the Jacobs College of Music at Indiana College Bloomington, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and different colleges throughout his senior yr of highschool. His objective is to earn a Bachelor of Music in organ efficiency.
“We understand that St. Paul’s only has a year left with Ethan before he leaves us for college next year, but it’s been an honor and a privilege for us as a congregation to be able to help him succeed in his musical endeavors,” Boler mentioned.
Morris mentioned he appreciates the assist St. Paul’s has given him.
“Being a part of St. Paul’s has been a very positive experience,” Morris mentioned. “I definitely think it’s helped me improve as an organist.”
-Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal Information Service primarily based in northern Indiana. She might be reached at skorkzan@episcopalchurch.org.
“Well bless their hearts.”
