World Renowned Organist’s Career Began At Molino Church
September 6, 2015
When Tom Helms, Jr. was a boy growing up in the Molino Methodist Church, he had dreams of the sounds of a pipe organ filling the sanctuary. That dream, and his love for pipe organ music, eventually took Helms around the globe where he is respected as one of top organ designers and organ players.
His musical resume is no less impressive than the resounding tones of the organ. He’s played venues across the globe, written ballets such as “Dracula”, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and “The Little Mermaid”, and been featured on regional and national television.
But it all goes back to a very musical family in Molino.
“We were the the Von Trapps of Molino,” he said, referring to the family in The Sound of Music. “All of my siblings, the entire family, loved to sing and loved music.”
Helms grew up in the Molino Methodist Church and and was presented at the inception of Aldersgate United Methodist in 1965. During his teen years he played for the church and developed the music program for the church.
And, when visiting other large churches, heard and fell in love with the pipe organ.
“I could not get of the sound of the organ,” he said. He eventually taught himself how to play the grand instrument.
He went on to attend the University of Alabama studying and playing the organ. And playing Denny Chimes, the famous bell tower symbol of the University of Alabama. He then moved to Texas Christian University to continue his studies, and continuing to play.
Along the way, he began to design and build organs, completing four of the largest pipe organs built in the United States in the last 60 years…including one at Pensacola Christian College. He also restored the grand organ at Pensacola’s Saenger Theatre.
Helms never forgot his dream of an organ at Aldersgate in Molino, with his installation taking place in late 1991. His dream was realized when the organ was first played during morning worship on January 26, 1992. Dedicating the organ to Mrs. Hazel Matthews (member and long-time organist at Molino/Aldersgate Church) and William E. Helms, Sr. (his parental grandfather) Helms presented a recital on the new organ on February 16, 1992.
The Aldersgate organ may not be the grandest of them all, but it holds a special place in Helms’ heart. The electric console was built in 1949 and was being discarded by a church in Cleveland, OH. Helms acquired and reworked the console, which is constructed of solid walnut wood. The racks of pipes, the bellows and all the hundreds of parts that make it all work were a combination of parts built by Helms and vintage spares.
“It’s really quite simple,” he quipped as he sat down at the console. It’s just a bunch of keys and switches, but it’s not that hard to get something out that sounds good, instead of something that sounds like a bunch of cats fighting.” Those keys and switches and pedals all control the flow of air through hundreds of pipes. And in the case of the Aldersgate organ, many of those pipes are in room separated from the sanctuary by large shutters, allowing volume control.
As he played, the sounds ranged from a soft and subtle tone to a deep base that could rattle the pews.
“It is really one of the most thrilling and majestic musical instruments. The sound comes from all around. You hear it, you feel it.”
Helms presented a free recital Saturday night on the Aldersgate organ, a program he said was designed to inspire audience members to sing.
“If I inspire the audience, I’ve done my job,” he said.
Pictured top and top inset: Organist Tom Helms at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Molino. Pictured bottom inset and below: Some of the hundreds of pipes that make up the organ that Helms built. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Smith Graduates From Naval Training
September 6, 2015
Dakota Rex Smith graduated recently from basic training after eight weeks at the Naval Service Training Command in Great Lakes, IL. Dakota is the son of Rex Jr. and Theresa Smith of Jay.
Graffiti Bridge Goes Gold For Childhood Cancer Awareness
September 4, 2015
Pensacola’s iconic Graffiti Bridge has gone gold for childhood cancer awareness. The bridge was painted gold early Thursday to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness month.
The bridge calls attention to several childhood cancer patients, including Bryant Cooper of Jay. His mother, Janet Cooper, has become a leading local advocate for childhood cancer awareness. Click here for more information on the Cooper family’s battle against childhood cancer and a special event to be held Saturday.
Photos courtesy Ashton Hayward on NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview To Hold Open House Next Week
September 3, 2015
Northview High School will hold an Open House next week.
The even will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8 with school faculty and staff on hand to provide a more in-depth look at the education programs at Northview.
For more information, click here.
Big Smiles: Tate Cheerleader Wins $500 Prize For Her Squad
September 3, 2015
A Tate High School varsity cheerleader received a big surprise, and a big check, Wednesday from her orthodontist. Freshman Emilee Potter won a Shehee & Callahan Family Orthodontics’ car magnet contest, earning her $500 for her school. She chose to give the money to her cheerleading squad. The money will be used to purchase pink pom-poms for the Tate cheeerleaders to use for breast cancer awareness. Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Needs School Advisory Council Members
September 2, 2015
Northview High School needs volunteers for their 2015-2016 School Advisory Council.
The council meets four times each year after school. Any interested parents or community members should call (850) 327-6681 ext. 221 to express their interested to serve.
Prison’s Cabinetry Program Provides Desks For Elementary School
September 2, 2015
Santa Rosa Correctional Institution’s cabinetry program provided 36 desks to Jay Elementary School to use in a first and fifth grade classroom for the school’s Science Technology Art Engineering Mathematics program. SRCI Warden James Coker, along with SRCI staff, delivered the desks late last week.
“The Florida Department of Corrections is proud to play an active role in the communities surrounding our institutions. Through re-entry initiatives such as the cabinetry program, Florida’s inmates have an opportunity to gain the skills and resources necessary for successful re-integration into our communities,” Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Julie Jones said.
Pictured: Desks constructed by inmates in the cabinetry program at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in place at Jay Elementary School. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview To Host Mini-Majorette Clinic
September 1, 2015
The Northview High School Majorettes will host a Mini-Majorette Clinic on September 8, 9 and 10 from 4-5 p.m. each day.
The clinic will teach students baton tricks, skills and a baton routine they will perform during a pregame show on September 11. The clinic is open to any student between age five and eighth grade. Students should bring their own baton, or one will be provided.
The cost is $25 per child. This includes the clinic, a t-shirt, admission to the September 11 Northview Chiefs home game and a performance before kickoff.
To reserve a spot in the click, parents should call (850) 623-4399 with the twirler’s name a t-shirt size by Friday, September 4 (please leave a message if no answer). All money is due by the first practice on September 8.
Tate Ag Students Get Up Close Look At Baling Hay
August 31, 2015
Agriculture students at Tate High School took part in a class Friday led by Melissa Gibbs and Austin Courson on how to bale hay.
“Cut it. let it dry, flip it, let it dry some more, rake it into rows and bale it,” explained observer Kim Stefansson, school district public relations coordinator.
Pictured: Baling hay Friday morning at Tate High School. Photos by Kim Stefansson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Bonus Photos: Northview Football, Cheerleaders Band
August 31, 2015
For a bonus photo gallery from last Friday night’s Northview at Crestview game, click here.
The gallery includes football action shots, the band and the cheerleaders. For the game action story, click here.
Photos by Gary Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.