First Presbyterian Church
Galveston
Texas
est.1840
The Team
Corbin Sturch
Director of Music Ministry & Organist
Corbin Sturch is the Director of Music and Organist of First Presbyterian Church of Galveston. Under his direction the Music Ministries have found a new vision and mission, with education and excellence at their core. With the implementation of the Arts & Ideas series First Presbyterian started to make its name as an arts destination, bringing some of the nations best talent to Galveston's oldest church - further supported by the addition of the Choral Scholars program to provide top-tier musical education and leadership for free to the local community.
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At the bench, Corbin is known for his improvisation skills and creative and sympathetic interpretations of hymn tunes, with special emphasis given to Spirituals and early American hymn tunes.
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As a leader Corbin is recognized for his energy and collaborative approach. Under his leadership the Music programs have seen an increase in donations to support their missions and ministries in the church. This is complimented by the implementation of a grant writing team to help support First Presbyterian's musical outreach. Outside of First Presbyterian, Corbin serves on the board of several local and national non-profits directly related to his work.
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Alongside his work at First Presbyterian, Corbin is the Head of Piano Technology at the University of Houston where he leads the Piano Technology Program; and is widely in demand locally, nationally and internationally as a technician and clinician. As a keyboardist he has studied under Dr. Sharon Gorman, Dr. Julie Cheek, Tom Bara, Andrea Steward, and Bethany Walker. Corbin is a Registered Piano Technician, Fulbright Specialist, Fellow of the Fraternity of St. Cecilia, and an alumni of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Lori O'Day Wiseman
Chancel Ensemble Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Nancy VandenBerge
Music Librarian
Mrs. VandenBerge is a retired educator with several degrees in education. She retired after 40 years of teaching fine arts, self-contained classroom, curriculum coordination, and leading the education department for her Dallas area Presbyterian Church. Her years of experience have led to her position as part of the Music Team here at First. Her passion for management, attention to detail, communication and organizational skills lend themselves well to the duties of the librarian of the department.
Doyle Neuwiller
Bell Choir Director
Doyle Neuwiller is a native Galvestonian and a product of the Galveston Independent School District, having graduated from Ball High School in 1968.
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He is a 1974 graduate of The Moores School of Music at The University of Houston and holds two Master’s degrees in Guidance and Counseling and Educational Mid-Management.
Mr. Neuwiller was instrumental in the formation of The Galveston Symphony Orchestra.
He is also the founder and music director of the Galvestron Community Band.
He served on the Executive Board of Directors and for many years as principal tuba.
He retired from the Galveston Independent School District after 42 years of experience and resides in Galveston.
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Jackson Okland
Associate Director
of
Music Ministry
Jackson Okland is a three-time UIL and two-time TMEA region (band and orchestra) pianist, violinist, and organist who currently studies at the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, toward a Bachelor of Music in composition. Since starting piano lessons in 2017, Jackson has performed for multiple musicals, plays, nursing homes, recitals, concerts, churches, private venues, wineries, and farmers markets. While entertaining the general public, he is also classically trained and continues to perform in solo, studio, and ensemble recitals. Despite his proficiency on the piano, Jackson strives to pursue composition, writing pieces for solo piano, piano ensembles, choral groups, and strings. Music is his passion, and he wants to share it with as many people as he can.