Songs from the soul

Nate Strasser, music director at First Presbyterian Church, practices on the piano last week. He dreams of making it in Music City. (T-G Photo by Micky Pietkiewicz) [Order this photo]

Nate Strasser didn't waste any time after graduating from college.

The talented musician is aiming for a career in Music City but, until then, a Shelbyville church is reaping all the benefits of this West Virginia native who now calls Shelbyville home.

After graduating from the University of West Virginia with a degree in jazz performance, Strasser began to look for a job in the Nashville area. He discovered the job opening for the music director position at First Presbyterian Church on the Presbyterian Association of Musicians web site.

Journey begins

"I was always interested in being a music director, and being able to direct everything," Strasser said. "I always assumed I would hold a church music director position because my faith has always been very important to me, and I always loved the sacred music of the church."

Strasser grew up in Wheeling, W.Va.,in the state's northern region, and has been interested in music his entire life.

Life in song

"I was raised in a Christian home with very supportive, loving parents and a great big sister," he said.

Strasser began to learn to play the piano at age 4. From there, he began playing the cello in forth grade and then began playing the organ in the fifth grade. He was also the organist for his church throughout high school.

He said he doesn't enjoy just one type of music.

"I listen to all types of music. It gets boring just listening to the same kind all the time."

Strasser admits, however, that he does have his favorites.

"I grew up playing classical music, but if I had to do one thing, it would be jazz," he said.

Sports fan

In his free time, Strasser enjoys watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and any West Virginia athletic team.

"Other than music, I am a sports fanatic," he said. "I grew up playing soccer, basketball, and running road races. I also absolutely love football. Other than that, I'm a big fan of movies."

Man of many tasks

Strasser's job as a music director does require more than merely being able to play a couple of instruments.

"Singing's not my main thing," but, he said, one must have a strong voice in order to direct music.

"I love playing the piano and composing, that sort of thing," he said, and when hearing him play the piano, one can tell that he has a deep passion for it.

Strasser composes pieces for the choir at First Presbyterian. He not only writes songs, but also does instrumental pieces.

At the church, "I work with Stephen (Caine), the pastor, Lindsey (Wade), the associate pastor, Brenda (Knight), the secretary, and Karisa (Matusek), the pianist. Outside of church, I've been working a lot with Jim Wood, a great musician in Shelbyville."

When asked what he enjoys most about being a music director, he said, "I enjoy performing and creating my own works. I also like hearing my own stuff performed by others."

Music City beckons

Strasser said one of his ultimate goals is to become a songwriter and studio musician in Nashville.

"In Nashville, I attend writer's nights at different music venues around Nashville at least three times a week," he said. "I co-write with many up-and-coming songwriters and proven songwriters as well."

He enjoys jamming with friends in Nashville and composing pieces for church, and improving as a musician.

Diverse talents

Strasser doesn't focus on merely one type of music, though.

"I also perform as much as possible in the Nashville area to display my abilities as a studio musician," he said. "I also continue to strive to improve as a classical and jazz musician as well.

"I am trying to make myself as versatile as possible in the music world. I spend a lot of my time composing and arranging pieces for other music ensembles as well," he said.

"Down the road I would love to do film score music."

In order to make it in Music City, Strasser said it's important to know a lot more than just music.

"It's also very important to learn the business side of music, too, to be successful in Music City," he said.

Happy times

Until then, Strasser is enjoying his job at First Presbyterian.

"This job has been everything I could ever hope for," he said. "The congregation and staff at the church has been very supportive. When I moved down here last July, I was fresh out of college and didn't know a single person down here. I also was buying my first house and starting my first major legit job, and the people of the church really went above and beyond the call of duty to help me get settled in."

But who knows, a few years down the road Strasser could be hitting it big in Nashville.