MUSIC SPECIALTIES

 

 

History

 

In 1984 James and Hope Spangler formed Music Specialties, originally located in Longview, Texas.  Within a few years, Music Specialties was one of the largest private music studios in East Texas, specializing in piano and guitar instruction, and frequently providing music for reunions and weddings.  James and Hope also directed the music at a local church.

 

In 1989 Music Specialties relocated to the Dallas area, continuing in piano instruction.   James and Hope were involved in directing the musical program of a large local church which included designing worship services, directing adult and children’s choirs, starting a handbell program, and accompanying local and visiting vocalists and instrumentalists.  James and Hope also performed as a piano duo both locally and out of state.

 

Music Specialties continues today as a private music studio, with the addition of Karen Spangler, specializing in piano instruction as well as providing musical services in the areas of piano tuning, commissioned musical arranging, and instrumental music for special occasions such as weddings and reunions.

 

Music Specialties believes and promotes that music is a gift given to us by God, and as performers, composers, and arrangers, it is our task to learn, perform, and teach music with an eye toward giving God the glory for His gift to us.

 

 

James Spangler

 

James began his formal musical instruction at age six.   At age eleven he began accompanying for congregational singing and choir at the church he was attending, and became the church organist at age twelve.  By age fifteen he was traveling with musical groups throughout the eastern United States and Canada.   Beginning at age sixteen his instrumental and choral arrangements were featured on several national tours by high school and college groups.  During his senior year of high school he apprenticed as a piano instructor under his teacher, Mrs. Ena Engstrom, formerly a noted classical concert pianist and at that time a master teacher, who along with her husband, ran a large music studio located in Teaneck, New Jersey.

 

Upon completing high school, James studied for several years under Paul Liljestrand at Nyack College.   James also spent several years as the musical director of several college recruitment groups, traveling with them on their national tours.  During one of these tours for which he was the music director, he met Hope, who was the group’s pianist, and then later married her.  He also spent time arranging and performing in everything from barbership quartets to small chamber groups, as well as working in local recording studios. 

 

After moving to East Texas in 1983, James formed Music Specialties, concentrating his efforts in piano and guitar instruction.   During this time he studied to be a piano tuner and began a tuning business shortly thereafter.  He was a member of the Longview Piano Teachers Association and a featured speaker and adjudicator for music seminars and piano competitions. 

 

After moving the studio to the Dallas area in 1988, James concentrated most of his efforts in musical arranging and directing in several area churches.  Along the way he has been recruited by several churches, wedding planners, dinner theaters, and other organizations. 

 

Today James directs the music at Heritage Christian Fellowship, located in the north Dallas area, where he also serves as a church elder.  He continues to teach and arrange, and is the studio’s piano tuner for its clientele and others.  James is also the general editor of a new church hymnal, targeted for publication in 2011.

 

 

Hope Spangler

 

Hope began piano instruction at the age of six.  In fourth grade she was asked to accompany the school choir and remained in that position through elementary, junior high, and high school.  In high school her musicianship broadened to include choral conducting and accompanying musical theater, as well as conducting the children’s choir in her local church.  She was the recipient of the prestigious Steven A. Walker Piano Award in both her junior and senior years of high school.  She was a featured pianist for the Governor of Pennsylvania’s state functions.

 

Hope studied for several years under Paul Liljestrand and Michael Thomas of Nyack College.  During that time she traveled throughout the Eastern United States and Canada with several musical groups as their accompanist.  It was on one of these tours that she met and later married James, the musical director of the tour.   Hope toured for four years with the Nyack College HandBell Choir, a six octave performing group.   During her college years she was the winner of a hymn competition contest, a recital winner, cited for her outstanding musical service to the college and public community, and was taken on by the college as a faculty teaching member while a student.  Upon completion of her studies at Nyack, Hope taught in public schools in the New York area.

 

Upon moving to Longview, Texas, Hope joined and participated in the local high school’s musical performing arts division as an instructor and accompanist.  She also acquired training in Yamaha Music in Los Angeles and returned to Texas to teach a full load of group piano lessons in addition to her own private students.   When Music Specialties moved to Dallas in 1988, Hope taught at a private Christian school, initiating their handbell program and musical theater, as well as a full load of general music education classes.  The end of the day, however, was her favorite part when her private piano students walked through the door.

 

Hope’s love of music is wide and varied.  Believing that music should be an integral part of every child’s life, she promotes singing and listening regardless of personal ability in music.  Her love for choral music means she is always looking for a singer.  Her latest musical endeavor is figuring out how to take handchimes and make them accessible and teachable in the home schooling environment.  Having home educated her children; Hope has a storehouse of ideas and future curriculum for both home education and the traditional piano studio.

 

 

 

Karen Spangler

 

Karen has studied piano under the instruction of both James and Hope since she was five years old.  She is an accompanist for congregational singing at church and also accompanies and arranges for chamber groups and individuals.   She has been apprenticing as a piano instructor under the direction of James and Hope.

 

Over the years Karen has participated in many musical activities.  In high school she toured with Reflections, a Dallas-Ft. Worth area choir and toured with them out of state.  She frequently attends classical and sacred concerts throughout the metroplex.    She has a variety of musical interests, including folk woodwinds (penny whistles, recorders, ocarinas, and anything that whistles).  She has a particular fancy for Celtic music.

 

Karen has spent a great deal of time researching hymns, and for the last two years she has been a main contributor to the studio’s hymnal project.  She is considered the studio’s resident hymnologist.

 

Having a love for art, Karen has taught classes in drawing for children, combining music with the lessons.  She also enjoys photography.

 

Karen has spent several years studying piano pedagogy, having completed coursework in college music theory and history, and is currently focusing on various musical mediums and styles.  She is currently pursuing certification in early childhood music.

 

An avid fan of history, natural science, and art, Karen brings a unique integrated educational approach to the piano that benefits her students in seeing music through a worldwide perspective.

 

 

 

 

Contact

214-460-6859

Email:  musicspecialties@jlstx.net