Life-long CRBC member, Tim Thompson, is headed to Manhattan, New York, at the end of July to fulfill his dream of studying music at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Tim has played bass trombone and cello in the Council Road orchestra the last 10 years, as well as playing bass guitar in the band. He just graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in Instrumental Studies/Winds, where he studied under Wayne Clark and Jeff Kidwell.

Tim applied to five graduate schools and was accepted at four: the University of Southern California, the University of North Texas, Northwestern University in Chicago and the Manhattan School of Music. He hopes to study at Manhattan for two years, to graduate, then be able to perform in both jazz and orchestral venues. One of the reasons he chose Manhattan is because it seems to be more performance-oriented by providing a nice choice of everything. Tim is planning on practicing four to six hours a day to complete his goal.

Since he was a young boy, he has always wanted to glorify the Lord with his music and to know him better on a daily basis. He reminds himself of that continually as he progresses in his musical career.

Norman Behymer, CRBC’s Executive Pastor and Orchestra Conductor, says he remembers the year Tim “all of a sudden” got really good with his music as his strong desire began to surface. Norman taught a summer music theory class that Tim attended where he showed a great deal of talent. And eventually, his passion for music caught up with his talent. Norman says he always wondered “if Tim knew more than the instructor, though.”

One of the highlights of his tenure at UCO was playing in the Jazz Ensemble, which toured Europe last summer and played jazz festivals in Italy and France.

Tim is the son of Paul and Pam Thompson. Paul has played cello in the CRBC orchestra since its inception in 1982. Tim will play some special music in both worship services on July 17 before departing for Manhattan.