“God has been more than generous to NSUMC,” said guitarist Pete Zaita. “He keeps sending us amazingly talented musicians, who are also very good people, to help us worship Him.”
Nearly four months have passed since Stephen Gamboa left for Yale School of Music to continue his harpsichord study in the prestigious Artist Diploma program. (Stephen also became Music Director at Hartford UMC.) And it’s been four months since we first heard Fady play the organ, piano, and keyboard and direct the Choir. The transition has been seamless.
“As much as we were sad to see Stephen leave, we were just as happy to welcome Fady,” said Joyce Borghard. “Both young men are extremely talented musically, just on different instruments.”
“Stephen kept the promise he made when we interviewed him five years ago,” Mary Jane Jersey added. “Knowing that he would probably move away after he completed his PhD, he said he would find us another music director from among the graduate students at Stony Brook. And he brought us someone just as wonderful. I know he’s delighted that things are working out so well.”
“Fady is a calm, friendly, and talented director, with more musical talent in one little finger than I have seen in many professional musicians,” said Judy Meserve “He has raised the musical bar and has ever so gently raised our level of musical knowledge in a quiet, humble way which is soothing and satisfying to my soul.”
Anne Westover describes Fady’s piano playing as “breathtaking.” “He’s highly likable and good-natured, very creative, and never afraid to experiment, to try something new, embellish, or tinker with what’s there.”
Connie Lisowy: “I enjoy working with him, and on those Sundays when I’m not singing in the Choir, I look forward to the concert that the prelude and postlude will be.”
“It’s obvious to all that Fady is an exceptionally talented pianist and musician. He has no flaws in that area,” Laura Pearsall smiled. “However, the choir knows that he’s a bit fashion-challenged. Sometimes he needs assistance with his shirt collar and choir robe zipper. To be fair, he is improving in that area, but we keep a close eye!”
“Fady is so expressive when he plays,” said Mary Jane. “He plays with his whole body.”
“I consider myself a blessed person because every week I not only get to play with him, but I also get to listen to him,” said Pete.
“I am always amazed when he improvises,” Joyce commented. “I can’t begin to imagine how he does it. What a gift! Also, Fady makes choir fun and challenging. We have sung pieces that we never thought we could do, such as singing four-parts. He is a blessing.”
Praise and appreciation for Fady comes from the congregation as well as from the Choir and Praise Band musicians.
Worship Team Leader Mary Lutz finds it very easy to work with him. “We appreciate that Fady is open to different music, and will make it work for both Choir and Praise Band. He has a wonderful upbeat attitude and is always happy to accommodate.”
From Jolaine Watson, who prepares the service PowerPoint presentation each week: “He’s great to work with, but especially he’s a talented, gracious, and humble man who magnifies my worship experience.”
Sunday School Coordinator Becky Sereno shared a recent comment from her eight-year old daughter Krystal. “Krystal sat and listened to him play the prelude after the announcements, and when he finished she looked at me and said, ‘That was cool!'”
“I absolutely love the piano music,” said Linda McCall. “We are so totally blessed to have Fady. God has certainly placed talented musicians in our church!”
“When I hear him play,” said Marty DeWitt, “it’s like an angel fell from the sky.”
“It is amazing to watch Fady at the keyboard,” said Linda Orth. “His talent is a true gift from God and we are so lucky to be able to share in that gift each Sunday. Thank you, God, for the blessing of Fady and his beautiful music.”