By Michelle Switzer
Richard Kinney, 14, of Waldoboro, plays the piano during the Medomak Valley High School winter concert, Dec. 4. (Photo courtesy Richard Kinney) |
New Harbor and Round Pond Methodist churches are used to sharing a minister. These days, both churches also share the musical talents of 14-year-old Waldoboro resident Richard Kinney.
“I saw an ad in the newspaper that the churches needed an organist,” Kinney said. “I called them up and auditioned. Apparently they liked it.”
Kinney auditioned for the shared position playing Rachmaninoff’s 5th Symphony and “Mamanita” by the jazz and ragtime composer Jelly Roll Morton.
The teenager said he does not get nervous for auditions or when he is playing anymore, as he practices daily for events.
Kinney said he practices three times a week for the church services.
Round Pond United Methodist Church meets at 9 a.m. and the New Harbor church meets at 11 a.m. every Sunday.
According to Kinney, about 10 to 15 people regularly attend services at the churches. Neither New Harbor nor Round Pond have choirs.
Kinney has been the organist for the churches’ Sunday services for a few months, and he sees himself staying with them for a while. “I think my age brings a lot to the table. It shows youth is still active in the church,” he said.
Before becoming an organist for the Methodist churches, Kinney regularly attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newcastle with his family.
Kinney’s mother Fran drives him from their home in Waldoboro to the churches each Sunday, and the pastor drives him between the church buildings.
Kelly Harvell, the shared pastor, said the congregation members love Kinney’s playing.
“They comment often about how much they enjoy listening to him and they hang out after the service ends so they can listen some more,” she said. “I can say that he is a wonderful addition to the churches.”
According to Harvell, the United Methodist Church has many small churches that cannot afford a full-time pastor on their own.
“When that is the case, one of the options is for the churches to share a pastor,” Harvell said. “The New Harbor and Round Pond churches have shared pastors for a long time.”
Kinney is getting paid for his talents, according to Kinney.
Before playing for these two churches, Kinney played the organ and piano for other area churches, including Bremen Union Church, Damariscotta Baptist Church, and Warren Second Congregational Church.
“I still play for Bremen occasionally,” Kinney said. “All the churches I’ve worked with have been welcoming and supportive.”
The Medomak Valley High School sophomore is active in the school’s music department. He plays piano in the jazz ensemble, mallet percussion in the band, and sings baritone in the chorus.
Kinney is even more active outside school.
The teenager is a First Class Rank Boy Scout, plays tennis at the YMCA, sings in the St. Cecilia Chamber Choir, and takes organ and piano lessons from local pianist Sean Fleming.
“I’ve been taking lessons from Sean for three years,” Kinney said. “Overall, I’ve taken lessons for 10.”
According to Fleming, Kinney has an advanced knowledge of theory and keyboard techniques, even at his young age.
“I introduced him to the music of ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton recently, and he has already learned and performed several Morton pieces,” Fleming said.
Fleming said the teenager is a very good church service player, as well as a proficient classical player.
“Kinney recently learned and performed a Rachmaninoff prelude and advanced pieces by Mozart and Beethoven,” he said.
Kinney also performs with Maine Music Outreach, which meets at Lincoln Academy.
As a part of Maine Music Outreach, Kinney and other area high school sophomores and juniors will travel to Haiti in July.
Jaja Martin, a Maine Music Outreach teacher and chaperone, said each musician goes through a rigorous application process.
“We are thrilled to have him as part of our program,” Martin said. “Richard was recommended highly by his school music teacher and we have been very pleased with his skills.”
The teen uses his musical talents to play for area benefits, weddings, and funerals. He is saving money for his upcoming trip to Haiti, and for college.
Kinney said his parents are not musical at all. His mother is a pet sitter, and his father is a carpenter.
“My grandmother was a concert pianist,” Kinney said.
After high school, Kinney plans to attend a police academy and ultimately go into law enforcement.
Kinney said he has always been interested in law enforcement, but he plans to continue playing music as a hobby.
This summer, before his trip to Haiti, Kinney will participate in a police camp in Vassalboro.
“It is part of the Boy Scouts,” Kinney said.
