Master Artist: Clarence “Bucky” Geter
Apprentice: John Walton
County: Chemung
Artistic Area: Folk and Traditional Arts
Project Title: Gospel Music
Project Summary: Clarence “Bucky” Geter will teach John Walton how to expand his abilities as a gospel music accompanist on piano and keyboard within the local Black gospel music community in Elmira, NY. Bucky and John are both engaged members of the music ministry at Monumental Baptist Church. Officially formed in 1885, Monumental Baptist’s beginnings date to 1880 under the name of Free Will Baptist Mission. It is one of the oldest African-American congregations in Elmira, NY.
Work Statement Excerpt: “Bucky has selected John as his apprentice because they have known each other for a very long time, play together in church regularly, and Bucky, now in his 80s, wishes to pass on his knowledge as an accompanist to someone within the congregation. “You may not have formal training, but God has given the talent,” Bucky says of John’s musical calling”
Work Sample:
“It’s Your Season to be Blessed” performed by the Wilson Family & Bucky Geter (2021)
