William Ness
William Ness, pianist and organist, is Minister of Music and Arts at the First Baptist Church, an American Baptist church, in Worcester, Massachusetts, a position he has held since 2001. He served as minister of music for the Atlantic Union College Church in South Lancaster, Massachusetts, for thirteen years prior to that appointment. During his ministry at the AUC College Church, he developed five choirs and two bell choirs. He still continues there as one of its staff organists.
Ness was born in Iowa. He completed bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Michigan, where he won the Graduate Concerto Competition in 1971. He has done additional graduate study at the University of Iowa and has studied organ with Jennie Satre, Robert Speed, Robert Clark, Robert Glasgow, and Delbert Disselhorst.
From 1979 to 1982, Ness taught at Andrews University and was organist at the Pioneer Memorial Church on campus, serving as the replacement for C. Warren Becker, who was on leave. He and his wife, Marjorie, then served as Co-Directors of Music at the First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa, Iowa. While there, they chaired the Ottumwa National Undergraduate Organ Competition.
Ness has performed on Iowa Public Television, 3ABN, and National Public Radio as well as in Australia, Europe and the Caribbean. He has accompanied numerous choral organizations. In 2003-2004 he completed a three recital series of 20th century organ music at First Baptist of Worcester and performed Howard Hanson's Concerto for Organ and Harp with the AUC orchestra under the direction of Stephen Tucker. Ness is one of the organists featured on a recent 2-CD set titled Great Organs of Worcester.
ds/2008
In Memoriam . . .
William Ness
I
n my experience, memorial gifts are not often donated to an Adventist parish church. Most Adventists donate directly to a conference through the planned giving programs set up by the corporate church. When my mother, Vera, died in April 2007, I wanted to do something to honor her long association with the church, but never thought of the conference as the recipient of such a gift.Throughout her adult life, my mother quite often lamented the terrible music she heard in worship. Her thoughts were not expressed so much in a pejorative manner but in a manner that simply expressed her desire for greater latitude in traditional classical music in worship. While she enjoyed gospel music, she would also have enjoyed music that required more technical skill and better execution.
Her perceptive observation skills led me into what has been a most rewarding musical career. Her encouragement and determination to help me as a child find fine keyboard teachers undoubtedly influenced and shaped me as I became an adult musician.
A
fter her death in 2007, I considered an outright gift to the Ankeny, Iowa, church for a building improvement which would have only been at best a modest improvement. Upon reflecting on my mother’s involvement as a charter member in the congregation, I thought I really wanted to do something more appropriate in her memory.This is when I considered a donation of handbells to the church. I phoned the head elder, who himself is an avocational musician, and asked if he would counsel with the church board to see if this would be acceptable. It would require forming a new musical organization to fully realize the gift. I understood from him that his adult daughter had played handbells in academy and college and would enjoy the challenge of directing such a group. The board and membership seemed delighted with the idea, so I moved ahead with this project.
T
he three octave set of handbells purchased were crafted by Schulmerich Handbells of Sellersville, Pennsylvania. I personally have had a long association with Schulmerich bells and considered them to be the finest bells manufactured in the U.S. I also made it possible for them to purchase table foam and four folding six-foot tables to hold the bells.A bell dedication occurred on November 24, 2007, in worship when the bell choir played for the first time. This was both an emotional and very meaningful occasion for me, a heartfelt remembrance of my mother. It is a joyous gift that will be shared with her beloved congregation now and in the future.
The bell choir will also be a fine musical witness for our faith outside the walls of the sanctuary. They are scheduled to perform in a community Christmas event in West Des Moines, Iowa.
T
his year I was able to add a three octave set of Choirchimes from Malmark so that the bell choir now has the unique sonorities of both bell sounds in three octaves. I believe the ringers will enjoy providing inspiring music for worship as well as the joy that comes from ringing each time they perform. It is a great comfort for me to have shared this ongoing musical gift in the memory of my mother and the important role she played in my life.2008