Meet the Musicians ...

 

RECORDER PLAYERS  

Marsha Martin

Marsha joined Merrymakers in 2000. Through high school, she played trumpet and baritone in the marching and concert band and sang in the church choir as alto. Once in college, Marsha picked up a soprano recroder and played trios with some friends. On coming to Ohio State for graduate school, she learned about the Music de Camerata ecorder group at Covenant Presbyterian Church and joined the group in 1977. After moving to Oklahoma for a job from 1982-1991 Marsha re-joined the group and has participated in that group since, playing mostly tenor and bass recorder. She joined the Merrymakers in 2000 and started playing in the church bell choir in 2005. Other hobbies are gardening, travelling to the UK, and having fun with our golden retriever dogs.

Dan Thyng

Dan is a founding member of Merrymakers. He began to study piano at age 8. At Hoover High School, North Canton, Ohio he played baritone horn in marching band and concert band, and string bass in orchestra. At Mt. Union College, Alliance, Ohio, he continued to play both, developed an interested in early music, learned recorders, and played in an early music ensemble. Dan presently plays recorders and cornemusen in 'Musica Camarata' of Covenant Presbyterian Church, and string bass in the Upper Arlington Community Orchestra and Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, and as guest in the Columbus Women's Orchestra.

 

Mac Reidel

Joining the Merrymakers in 2005...

 

Gordon Shecket

 Gordon joined the Merrymakers in 2005, through his acquaintance with Dan Thyng. This revived an interest in recorders beginning in college at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970. His musical training began with piano lessons at age 6, adding bassoon at age 9. Gordon played in school groups in Shaker Heights, Ohio, spent several music camp summers at Interlochen, Michigan, and played bassoon and contrabassoon in the MIT Symphony. He added violin at age 39. Presently Gordon plays recorders in 'Musica de Camarata', bassoon in the Westerville Symphony, and violin in Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra and a string quartet, and attends annual chamber music workshops at Interlochen. When not busy with music, he works as a hospital pathologist.

Weldon Adams

Weldon has served Covenant Presbyterian Church as Director of Music since 1968. He studied at the Philadelphia Academy of Music under Robert Elmore, at Jacksonville University under Marshall Pierson, and at Union Theological Seminary in New York City under Alec Wyton. He has served as Dean of the Columbus Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and is active as a recitalist in Central Ohio. Weldon's personal and professional commitment to music in the community has produced impresive results. The Church hosts a rich variety of high quality vocal and instrumental musical performances, from chamber music to the Upper Arlington Community Orchestra.
STRING PLAYERS  

Kim Boddy, violin

  

Mary Ann Minnis, viola

 

  

Marcia Jones, cello

  

Tom Pettenski, violin

 Tom was invited to join Merrymakers in 2005. He began studying violin at age 11 with Vera Watson Downing in Columbus. He joined the Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra in 1994 and continues to study violin and play as often as he can. Tom also began playing bass guitar in jazz band at Columbus North High School. Tom received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering at the Ohio State University and is currently working at Battelle Memorial Institute. In addition to music Tom enjoys riding his bike, playing ice hockey and collecting toasters. Tom lives in Clintonville with his wife Pat, and sons Nikolas and Jackson.
VOCALISTS  

Linda Gabel

I've been interested in singing from a young age. When I didn't have enough courage to try out for the high school variety show by myself, I persuaded two of my friends to sing with me as a trio. The Shalisu Trio (for Sharon, Linda and Suzanne) took voice lessons together and sang for several years for local churches and events. I continued to sing in college, virtually minoring in choir as I participated in Chapel Choir and two concert choirs. This gave me some excellent opportunities, such as singing at the opening of Pittsburgh's renovated Heinz Hall, and touring with the choir in Europe. Once out into the real world, I have sung in several community choirs (Lansing Community College, Arlingtowne Singers) and church choirs (most recently at Covenant Presbyterian Church). I consider myself an alto, although I'm probably just a lazy soprano! While primarily a vocalist, I am working to become a not-too-shabby handbell ringer. Thanks to the Merrymakers, I'm gaining ground as a percussionist, too!

Nancy Davidson

  

George Richards

  

Tom Billman

 Tom has been singing and enjoying music his entire life. During High School in Sullivan, Indiana, Tom began singing competitively, and had two First Place, All-State solo performances in 1971 and 1972. During college at Purdue University, Tom tried out for and made alternate for the Purdue Men's Glee Club. Since Joining Covenant Presbyterian Church in 1995, Tom has been involved in the "Early Birds" choir, which performs at the 8:30 AM Sunday morning service. Tom has enjoyed his work with the Columbus Merrymakers, where he sings Bass and Baritone.

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