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When she was 14 years old, Toni Desireé Hines was overjoyed at her first sight and aural experience of the Organ. She knew it was the instrument for her. Toni Desireé Hines has become one of the Pacific Northwest's rising stars at the organ. After six years of training as a violinist, began her study of the organ with Judy Davis Sclater in Jackson, MS, and continued with Jefferey McLelland at Mississippi College.. In 2000, just two years after beginning organ study, she became the first African American Organist to win first place in the Mississippi Music Teachers Organ Competitions. In 2001, she relocated to Tacoma, WA and the Pacific Lutheran University, studying with Susan Ferré.
Miss Hines attributes her inspiration as an organist to her discovery of Diane Bish's program, The Joy of Music, in 1994, and also has a great appreciation for what she calls the "Coral Ridge School" of Hymn Playing at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderale Florida. Miss Hines has been frequently requested as guest organist at many major church services in the Northwest because of her creative hymn introductions and accompaniments.
Miss Hines is also known for her creative interpretations and playing of favorite "crowd pleasing" organ works, such as Buxtehude's Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne, Boellmann's Toccata, Pierne's Prelude-Toccata, Widors Toccata, Bach's Orgelbuchlein and "Cathedral" Prelude and Fugue, Langlais' Pasticcio, and several other organ favorites. Her recitals are done in a lecture-recital format due to her admiration of Virgil Fox, and include hymns for audience participation.
In Februray of 2004, Desiree' was appointed the Director of Sacred Music and Organist for St. Turibius Catholic Church in Chicago, IL.
Contact details and further information
Telephone 773-474-9862E-mail Toni Desireé Hines or at nicemusica@yahoo.com .