Marvin Gaspard
“Outstanding musical versatility” best describes the talent and artistry of Marvin Gaspard, and validates his rising national acclaim as performer, composer, arranger, and recording artist. His published works, children’s folk songs, choral octavos and organ/piano duet books, serve as a testament to his diverse talent. Marvin began studying piano at the age of five, and quickly developed a love for music. By college age, he was proficient in piano, organ, harp, trumpet, French horn, and melodic percussion and had begun writing and arranging music for area schools and churches. Now, one of Houston’s leading musicians, Marvin serves as Director of Music, Organist/Choirmaster of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church. He directs the Chancel Choir, the youth choir, Ensemble (chamber choir), and oversees St. Luke’s Ringers (handbell choir). Marvin is the resident pianist for The Lyric Centre in the heart of Houston’s Theatre District. As a skilled jazz pianist, he leads the Marvin Gaspard Trio, a well-known ensemble in the Houston music community. Mr. Gaspard’s choral arrangements have been performed and recorded by the internationally renowned Turtle Creek Chorale of Dallas, Texas. Accompanying his own compositions, he appeared with the Chorale in Dallas’ Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, in the spring of 1996. One of his original works was recorded as the title song of the Chorale’s CD, “Lifelong Friend.” Marvin has released three of his own CD’s. For ten years Marvin composed original scene underscoring and arranged choral works for “Pageant, A Christmas Spectacular”. This Houston production was televised and broadcast nationwide featuring a 400-voice choir and full orchestra in a fully staged holiday production. Mr. Gaspard has accompanied Grammy Award winner, Cynthia Clawson, in appearances from coast to coast and he has been featured as a solo piano artist in a nationally televised tour of Ecuador and also at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Mr. Gaspard is a member of American Guild of Organists; The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); Choristers Guild; Houston Professional Musicians Association (Local 65-699, American Federation of Musicians); Houston Tuesday Musical Club; Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America; and serves on the board of the Greater Houston Handbell Association. Marvin is a native of Abbeville, Louisiana and holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
