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GREG TRAVIS/Ledger & Times
(Top photo) Charles Novell, left, is pictured above working with Jean Roach from Tyler, Texas. A vocalist and pianist, Roach has attended the conference for five years. (Bottom photo) Charles Novell, left, is pictured above working with Dave Smith from Galion, Ohio. Smith, a middle school science teacher, is a vocalist and songwriter. He has attended the conference for more than 30 years. |
Still Making Beautiful Music
Novell School brings in gospel talent of all ages to MSU
By GREG TRAVIS
Staff Writer
The annual Charles Novell School of Music's Christian Music Conference is in full swing this week at Murray State University's Nursing Building on the MSU campus. Many of this week's events will center around the Mason Auditorium, with private lessons being held at various classrooms in the building.
Under Novell's direction, the conference features study in voice, piano, bass and guitar, drums, songwriting, sound systems, Nashville numbers, promotions, emcee techniques and performance.
Novell said he was excited to be back in Murray. “We are so happy to be here at MSU where everyone treats us wonderfully. The staff is very cooperative with everything and always willing to help. We are most appreciative of the administration at MSU.”
He said he had been working all year with Dan Lavit getting ready for the annual conference. “MSU is fortunate to have young men of Dan's quality. He's just a super guy.”
Novel said the school has, once again, drawn a large number of participants from all across the country. “We have students this year from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Mississippi, Texas, Missouri and Illinois.”
He noted that this year's students represented all age brackets with those attending ranging in age from 8 to 81.
“At 81, Virginia Harper from Delaware is a songwriter, singer and pianist. She has had a number of her tunes published and recorded. Until coming to the school, nobody would give her the time of day,” he said. “I recognized a talent and helped her to get some of her songs recorded.”
One of her songs, “Sunny Side Of The Street” is very reminiscent of a 1940s' big band sound, he commented.
This is Harper's 14th year to attend. “It is a highlight of the year for her,” he added.
Les Gandy, from Michigan, is another participant Novell pointed out. “He writes 1950s' “Doo-wop”-style music. He's had around 40 of his songs recorded.”
Others include Keith Petrequin who writes a country style music and contemporary praise and worship writers Kristen Ealy and Victoria Brock.
Novell said the workshops being offered this year are: Male Vocal Techniques; Breathing Techniques; Sound System Seminar; Songwriting Seminars; Female Vocal Techniques; Vocal Interpretation; Vocal Range Development Keyboard Concepts; Performing Under Pressure; Vocal Techniques; Nashville Number System; Management Seminar; Promoting and Booking; Radio Promotion and others.
He said evening concerts, held in the auditorium, are open to the public. They begin at 7 p.m. showcasing student talent. At 8 p.m. the professional talent is featured.
Friday evening will feature an Awards Concert with only students performing that night.
Novell said he has had a busy year since the 2007 Christian Music Conference. “I had a health shock last fall, and I had surgery. I'm in good condition, and I have made lots of progress.”
“Now I approach life differently. I am more dedicated to my fellow man than ever before. I am a more compassionate person,” he stated. “I also have an intercessory prayer list of people that I pray for regularly.”
He said he has since been released from his medication and he's back to normal.
V.O. Stamps, a legend in gospel music, began the conference in 1924 as the Stamps School of Music. It was purchased in 1962 by the world-famous Blackwood Brothers and the name was changed to the Blackwood Stamps School, Novell reports.
At that time, J.D. Sumner, the Blackwood Brothers' bass singer, targeted Novell to take the challenge of heading up the school and continuing its success. The name of the school was soon changed again to the Christian Music Conference School of Gospel Music, he added.
Novell holds doctorate of music degrees from the world famous Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. For nearly 40 years he has been involved in gospel music as a songwriter, performer, arranger and recording producer. He has been a vocal coach and teacher to such artists as The Blackwood Brothers, Kenny Bishop, Garry Sheppard, The Isaacs, Craig Nobles, Ivan Parker, Jeff Stice, David Brooks and Charlotte Richie. He has also worked as a recording producer with such artists as Perfect Heart, The Blackwood Brothers, J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, The Kingsmen, The Hoppers, Jerry Goff, Bill Baize, Bobby Clark, Lavern Tripp, Steve Brock and others.
For more information about the school, residents can contact the Charles Novell School of Music, 7585 Foxchase Drive, West Chester, OH 45069, or call (513) 300-0747, or e-mail: novebarba@fuse.net, or visit www.charlesnovell.com.
Story created Jul 16, 2008 - 11:35:26 EDT.
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