For the enjoyment of music | Information, Sports activities, Jobs
-Submitted picture by Jason Braunschweig
Brady O’Brien, of Fort Dodge, a latest St. Edmond Excessive Faculty graduate, performs at Trinity United Methodist Church throughout his Easter live performance.
Editor’s word: This story first appeared in The Messenger’s annual Hometown Delight publication on June 24, 2022, that includes folks and organizations from Fort Dodge and the encompassing space who’re making a distinction of their communities.
Brady O’Brien has a present.
The latest St. Edmond graduate felt it at a really early age. He would sit subsequent to his mom, Katrina, and take up every little thing as a budding piano virtuoso.
Because the 18-year-old O’Brien sharpened his expertise and reached an age of extra independence, he had a option to make: parlay his particular person abilities right into a car for future monetary achieve, or unfold this ardour to as many individuals and communities as doable by the sheer pleasure of music.
“I’ve many alternative sticks within the hearth proper now in terms of what I need to do for the remainder of my life,” O’Brien stated. “Many individuals will say that they will do music solely, and whereas I’d love to try this, it may be robust to simply dwell on music alone.
-Submitted picture by Jason Braunschweig
Fort Dodge’s Brady O’Brien, a 2022 St. Edmond graduate, performs the piano throughout a live performance.
“My long-term targets in music are to proceed my nonprofit and use my music to assist increase cash for many who are doing good in our world, together with these in want. I additionally plan on persevering with to jot down music and prepare exhibits.”
Final December, O’Brien hosted “A Very Merry Christmas” to a packed home at Decker Auditorium. In April, he held the Easter program, “A Cross and a Crown” at Trinity United Methodist Church — once more, to a standing-room-only crowd.
On July 15, O’Brien’s subsequent undertaking — a non-public patriotic rock present referred to as “One Nation Beneath God” — raised cash for the navy at Veterans Memorial Park.
“Dwelling in Fort Dodge has allowed me to satisfy some unimaginable folks — not solely within the music world, however simply in on a regular basis life,” O’Brien stated. “Throughout my exhibits, once I get to see acquainted faces, it amazes me to see how our group helps dwell music, the fantastic arts, and organizations doing nice issues. I really feel very liked after every present as a result of everybody from the group greets me after with large smiles and powerful hugs.
“That’s why I like doing what I do; there may be nothing higher than seeing a smile on somebody’s face due to the facility of music.”
O’Brien’s spirit involves life in entrance of 88 keys, pedals and the acquainted body of a piano.
“I first began enjoying once I was 5 (years outdated),” O’Brien stated. “I began classes with Barbara Kondrath, and after she handed, I continued with Andrea Minikis.
“Rising up, I all the time noticed my mother play piano for a lot of various things: church, choirs at college, and a lot extra. I started taking piano severely as a result of I needed to be similar to her and have the ability to sit down and play any tune that I needed.”
The response to these performances stored him coming again.
“Seeing folks’s faces and listening to their feedback … I consider that music could be very highly effective, and I need to share that love of music with as many individuals as doable,” O’Brien stated. “Every time I play for church, for a choir, or in one in all my exhibits, it offers me a lot adrenaline. That’s one thing that I like. I all the time need to attempt to make the most effective model of myself, which additionally motivates me to remain on this path of music.
“I’ve many inspirations that I take into account to be my mentors. I actually look as much as Lorie Line, as a result of she creates excellent exhibits that enable her to share her music with folks whereas maintaining her love of God sturdy and current. I’ve been blessed to satisfy and take recommendation from Lorie. Her phrases and music proceed to stay with me and affect the best way that I share my music. Regionally, I look as much as my mother, as a result of she continues to share her abilities with so many individuals.”
O’Brien hasn’t restricted his talent set to being proficient behind a piano. He additionally performs trombone, bass, keytar, and he’s “attempting to work” on guitar.
His performances are typically each memorable and inspirational, however O’Brien isn’t nearly being a solo act.
“I’ve all the time loved collaborating with different musicians from the realm,” O’Brien stated. “The rationale why I select to have a band behind me and vocalists in entrance is to maintain folks drawn in. In my exhibits, I like enjoying solo items, however I feel folks love seeing a wide range of totally different musicians.
“I additionally love selecting totally different musicians for every present, as a result of it retains issues new and contemporary. There’s a lot expertise in Fort Dodge that must be shared with everybody.”
A break might come for O’Brien sometime, however his focus has gravitated towards altruistic endeavors fairly than discovering methods to be found.
“In 5 years, I want to see myself nonetheless dwelling right here in Fort Dodge however branching out to different cities and states to share my love of music,” O’Brien stated. “I’d like to proceed my nonprofit and assist as many individuals as doable, not solely right here in Fort Dodge however in surrounding states.
“The mission assertion for ‘Brady O’Brien Stay’ (at www.bradyobrienlive.com) is, ‘Elevating cash for different nonprofits and households in our communities by our love of dwell music.’ I consider serving to folks is what we had been placed on this earth to do.”
O’Brien continues to dream large, however his targets stay easy — and native.
“On the finish of my time, if I can depart a mark of affect on only one individual, I will likely be completely happy,” O’Brien stated. “I need to attempt to be a task mannequin for youthful folks that share the identical love of music and fantastic arts.
“I’m frequently studying so many traditions that I hope to move on to the following technology someday.”
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