Teen lifts spirits as church organist

Jul. 7—LENOIR

While teenagers often attend concerts, Joseph Franklin performs them.

Franklin is a rising senior at Patton High School in Morganton and an organist at First Church, a United Methodist Congregation, in downtown Lenoir.

Franklin has been playing the organ professionally for the church since he was 16 years old.

The Rev. Dave Melton said the church was searching for a new organist and were considering adult applicants from all over the region when the church received Franklin's application.

"Initially, it wasn't taken seriously because of his age, but we had him over, interviewed him, he performed an audition and he made a wonderful impression," said Melton. "Not long after, we offered him the position."

Franklin said his music teacher suggested he apply for the position.

Franklin's grandfather developed and fostered his love of music when he was in preschool.

"My grandfather used to pick me up at preschool and we would listen to 'beautiful music', as he would call it. It was a tape of John Philip (JP) Sousa and patriotic music," said Franklin. "On top of that, my dad is a guitarist and plays electric bass and he really piqued my interest in music."

Franklin was also inspired by church music at the First United Methodist Church in Morganton and by his first organ teacher, Sara Lynn Oakley, who was the organist at First Church in Lenoir before he assumed the position.

Franklin said he started learning about the organ in elementary school when he would go up and press the keys on the organ in church.

{p dir="ltr"}"I would go up and mash keys, and as they say 'make a joyful noise unto the Lord', well I don't know how joyful it was, but it was definitely noise," said Franklin.

He took his first lesson when he was in sixth grade. Franklin says his love of playing the organ grows each time he plays it.

In addition to playing the organ at church, Franklin plays the piano. He also plays tuba in Patton High School's concert band and drums for the school's marching band. Franklin has been selected three times to perform the tuba with the All District Band and has been part of the All County Band each year since he started playing in the school band. This year, he was first chair in the Burke County Honor Band.

One of his biggest accomplishments was participating in the 2019 75th annual D-Day Parade in Europe.

Johann Sebastian Bach's "Prelude in E flat Major" is a complex piece, yet it is one of Franklin's favorites to perform. It took him six months to practice the piece. He will perform it on Sunday, July 10 at First Church's Habitat House Benefit Concert.

According to Franklin, it is an incredible piece because it takes the performing and the audience in a figurative musical tour of the various musical styles of Europe including Germany, Italy, and France.

The fugue is challenging to perform and some people argue the piece is broken down into three sections and that it was Bach's intention to represent the trinity. The first section represents God, the father, the second piece represents Christ, the son — and gentle shepherd, and the final piece represents the Holy Spirit and flows like a spirit, back to God.

"Bach wrote everything to the glory of God," said Franklin.

Like many teenagers, balancing the academic demands of school, social life, extra-curricular activities, and responsibilities can be a challenge. His greatest challenge is not having enough time.

"My life is devoted to music," said Franklin. "I wish there was 30 hours in a day, instead of 24."

He says that he overcomes the limits placed on him by time by balancing his activity schedule, especially during marching band.

In addition to playing the organ, piano, tuba and drums, he enjoys experimenting with other instruments, including the clarinet and trumpet.

"It sounds terrible, but I enjoy it," said Franklin talking about trying out new instruments.

This past January, Franklin placed second place at the annual N.C. High School Organ Festival and Competition sponsored by the University of North Carolina School of the Performing Arts. The competition was held at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Winston Salem. In addition to placing second, he won first place for his hymnal musical performance during the same competition.

Franklin was awarded the Stilgall Scholarship, sponsored by the American Guild of Organists. In order to be selected for the scholarship, applicants must demonstrate mastery by performing in front of a panel of judges. He plans to use his award to continue his organ studies under Dr. Joby Bell at Appalachian State University.

Melton said he was impressed by Franklin's mature presence and demeanor during the interview process and he took the audition very seriously. It was Franklin's performance that swayed the hiring committee.

"The interview went well and when he began his audition, smiles appeared all over the room," said Melton.

Franklin also had to convince his parents that he could manage the out-of-town job.

Melton said that during a dinner meeting with his parents, Franklin's parents said that performing professionally in church has been their son's destiny and that he has been preparing for the moment for his whole life.

{p dir="ltr"}Franklin will be performing at a recital sponsored by the American Guild of Organist at Corinth Reformed Church located at 50 16th Ave NW in Hickory on Sunday, July 17.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, July 10 Franklin, along with pianist Patsy Riddle and saxophonist Ransom Vance, will be offering a special benefit performance at First United, a United Methodist Congregation, located at 309 Church St NW, in downtown Lenoir. The concert is free and open to the public. An offering will be taken up and all proceeds will be donated to support Habitat house.

The church has made a commitment to build a habitat house this fall.

For additional information, visit fumc-lenoir.org, or call 828-754-4922.