POCAHONTAS — Since the age of 7, Todd Baltz has been sharing his love of music.
He began taking private piano lessons, under the direction of Linda Blissini, as a second grade student at Alma Spikes Elementary School. Four years later, the tenor sax became a constant companion for the music lover as a member of the Pocahontas Junior High beginning band program.
In November, Baltz, 16, embarked on yet another musical challenge when he added organ lessons under the direction of St. Paul organist Janet Holt.
After longtime organist Millie Thielemier stepped down in order to care for her husband and organist/music director George Edwards announced plans to retire as soon as a replacement could be found, many St. Paul parishioners are referring to Baltz as an “answer to prayer.”
Baltz’s mother, Nancy Baltz, said when her son decided to add the organ to his list of musical accomplishments, they were unaware there was a need for an organist at St. Paul Church, However, looking back, they could now see how things fell into place. Nancy said her son was first approached by the Pocahontas High School band director, Cory Mikel, to “come and play” at St. Mary Church in Paragould. Baltz’s father, Dr. Paul Baltz, a partner with Dr. Dennis Holt of Family Dental Care, shared the information during a conversation at work and it was then they learned of the need closer to home.
The decision was made to wait until the end of the high school band’s marching season before scheduling organ lessons.
“He came up with me and George (Edwards) a few times and then we starting looking at the possibility of becoming a back-up organist,” Janet Holt said. “In addition to being talented, he is very dedicated.”
Baltz continues to take piano and saxophone lessons.
Baltz’s piano instructor described her student as “extremely dedicated.”
“Pianists are dying,” Blissini said. “They’d rather let a keyboard do everything for them than practice. No one wants to practice.”
For Baltz, it’s time well invested to share his love of music and said he is looking forward to using his talent for the Lord.
“It’s going to be a little while,” Baltz said. “I’ve got to learn more of the Mass songs. If I started now the choir would have to sing ’Amazing Grace’ or Christmas songs every Mass.”
