Tim Miller, a junior and a member of the Revere High School marching band and concert band, chooses to participate in a different type of musical performance at St. Victor’s Parish Church, where he plays the flute at 8:45 on Sunday mornings. He improvises frequently, as the nature of the music he plays at the church allows greater freedom than that which he plays with the marching and concert bands. During these Sunday performances, he receives opportunity to collaborate with professional musicians and to experience a less structured environment than those of the marching and concert bands.

Three years ago, Miller’s brother, Mike Miller, now a freshman at The Ohio State University (OSU) and violinist in The OSU Symphony Orchestra, invited Miller to join him at the church where he was already performing.

Miller explained why, in fifth grade, he first choose to learn to play the flute.

“I thought it sounded like a nice instrument. The tone always appealed to me. It was not scratchy or fuzzy. It was always nice, rich and full,” Miller said.

Eric Coffelt, a former music educator and current Director of Liturgical Music at St Victor, described when he first heard Tim Miller play.

“I do not recall the specific day but I do recall what my reaction was after hearing [the brothers] playing together with me. I was blown away on many levels. First of all, the musical quality was exceptional. Secondly, I was thrilled to have their youthful presence participating in the music liturgy of the church. In today’s world where the youth are not often attending church unless they are being dragged, it is so refreshing to see such a willingness to participate,” Coffelt said.

Mike Miller noted that he appreciates the opportunity to work with and receive guidance from a professional musician, such as Coffelt.

“He really knows the music well, and he knows what people like to hear. He does not play exactly what is on the page, and likes to change things up each week, which [Miller] and I can respond to very well,” Miller’s brother said.

Coffelt further elaborated on his impression of Miller’s playing.

“He has a remarkable ability to improvise harmonies and countermelodies in addition to playing extremely intricate passages flawlessly. I have noticed on many occasions where he has only the melody of a piece of music in front of him but you can clearly tell he is not playing the melody. Once he hears the tonality of the piece, he is able to make his part fit seamlessly into the harmony. That is a talent you are born with not one that can easily be taught, especially at his relatively young age,” Coffelt said.

Tim Miller gave his thoughts regarding the freedom to improvise, which his performances at St. Victor Parish provide.
“The parts are a lot easier to play for the church. Sometimes, when there is not part, I can just make something up out of the blue, and you cannot do that a lot in band,” Miller said.

Miller utilizes the early hours of his Sundays to perfect and expand skills gaining new musical experiences and guidance from Coffelt, while participating in a type of performance he truly enjoys.