Longtime School Organist Honored
Dr. Vance Reese was part of Christ School for 24 years
Dr. Vance Reese was dutiful as always Thursday morning, adjusting his seat cushion and music sheets before service got started in St. Joseph's Chapel.
The final Eucharist of the 2017-18 school year was a celebration of the musical arts at Christ School. And the unequivocal star of the show was Reese, who has been filling Chapel with expressive tones for 24 years.
Reese is stepping down after more than two decades as School Organist to pursue a faculty position at Brevard College. He was given a standing ovation by Greenie students and faculty on Thursday. Headmaster Paul Krieger presented Reese with a gift and thanked him for his service.
"It's hard to sum up 20 years," Reese said. "There are lots of memories here. It's been a pleasure to be part of this community for so long. I'm happy to be commencing this next chapter of my life and am grateful for the time that I had here."
Reese was introduced by good friend, Father Kirk Brown, as "a gift to me personally and to our community." Father Brown continued, "His friendship is one I treasure and truly value. I hope you all find a friend as dear as Vance Reese."
The organ in St. Joseph's Chapel required Reese to use his hands and feet in coordination. But his contributions to Christ School went beyond that. Reese was involved in three productions with the Theater Department and helped develop an arts program called "Via Creativa."
Asheville's Ghilman Brock, who has occasionally filled in for Reese, will replace him full-time as School Organist. The two have been neighbors, and as a young boy, Brock studied music under Reese. The two played a piano piece together on Thursday. In addition, Aaron Chen '20 gave a cello performance. Aaron is one of 80 nationwide high school musicians who have been selected for Carnegie Hall's National Youth Orchestra 2 (NYO2) program next month in New York.
