Joseph Eckelkamp
Creative Consultant & Business Professional
Phone:
636-221-9452
Email:
Address:
559 W. 190th Street #4F
New York, NY 10040
Date of Birth:
20 September 1992
A Bit About Me
Multidisciplinary creative collaborator with 20+ years of musical/liturgical experience, 10+ years of educational experience in symphonic and choral music, musical theatre, and instrumental studies; 5+ years of clerical experience in fundraising and business growth. Performed across the United States, worked in creative solutions his entire career; provided practical language and graphic editing for several companies and continues to write for clients. At home in demanding client-focused situations and where exacting standards are required.
Work Experience
Christopher Soer Pipe Organs LLC
May - December 2021
January 2023 - Present
April 2004 - February 2025
February 2018 - Present
January 2022 - January 2023
August 2018 - May 2024
October 2016 - October 2018
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Managed office tasks including invoicing, deposit reconciliation/money management, client communication, scheduling, shipping, and all business writing; served as client relations manager
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Oversaw client relationships and helped develop client management priorities
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Designed and implemented new tracking procedures leading to increased data collection and streamlined tracking and invoicing systems
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Liaised with organ projects across the country, speaking with builders and clients including the Washington National Cathedral and the LDS church Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City
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Served as a primary point of contact for clients and triaged service work for the business
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Negotiated financial settlements of contracts and addenda to rectify payments on deliverables
Liturgical Musician - Various Churches
Beginning in 2004, I began to perform liturgical organ and piano music for a small rural Roman Catholic parish in Dutzow, Missouri. Since then, I worked in several other churches in various capacities:
St. Joan of Arc/St. Lucy Parish - St. Louis, Missouri
Served as music director of the church from October 2021 to the present, responsible for bringing the choir back after Covid restrictions were lifted. While here, I also restarted a regular concert series featuring parish and other local musicians, including commissioning music from local composers and performing original arrangements.
St. John Episcopal Church, Tower Grove - St. Louis, Missouri
Joining the established church of St. John in 2023, I have been able to work with a solid stable of volunteer musicians to present a diverse repertoire at weekend services, collaborated with local protestant churches to provide special music for combined Holy Week and Tower Grove Pride services. Was able to commission and perform new works by local and national musicians, as well as sponsor a showing of the silent film The Phantom of the Opera with live organ accompaniment.
St. Francis Borgia - Washington, Missouri
Served as associate organist and musician playing the organ for early Sunday Masses, as well as contemporary piano for the Life Teen program.
Various Churches
I have served as the director of music or organist/musician at several other churches in the St. Louis area, and have been an organist for many funerals, weddings, and special events. Additionally, my work has included being the musical director for a tribute concert to the local composer Keith Ballentine in the fall of 2024.
Arranger/Composer/Music Engraver
Starting by providing string arrangements for a university holiday jazz concert while still a student, I have continued to provide arranging services for private clients, I have prepared arrangements in different instrumentations/voices for specific occasions, served as a composer of incidental music, and worked as a music engraver and typesetter on a number of local and national projects. My experience in education has given me a great appreciation for quality music in the educational space and the need for flexible literature to cover all abilities. More information about publications will be made available on my works page.
University Development Officer - University of Missouri – St. Louis
Performed fundraising duties for the Honors College and College of Nursing new laboratory space. As a Discovery Officer, I was tasked with reaching out to alumni and past donors to re-engage them with the colleges and began talks about ways to contribute to the financial success of the University of Missouri - St. Louis. During my time there, I received advanced development training by taking part in the Plus Delta Partners training program. Instrumental in planning and execution of Nursing donor stewardship and gift acknowledgement, including planning personalized tours with the Dean and donors, proofing signage, and developing fundraising goals for the maintenance of the laboratory and scholarship fund for underprivileged students.
Staff Accompanist - Lincoln County R-III
Served as a staff accompanist for middle school and high school choral programs, including Express, Soundwave, and Tonali-T show choirs. Performed as a collaborative pianist with soloists from the high school band and choir programs at Missouri district and state music festivals. Arranged music for the show choirs and concert choirs, as well as coordinated freelance instrumentalists for various occasions. In addition to my roles as a musician, I had a role as an associate manager of the Hungate Performing Arts Center as resident lighting designer and technical theatre expert. Left full-time employment there in May of 2021, though I continued to write and perform with the show choir groups until May of 2024.
Administrative Assistant - Piano Distributors
Worked with the manager to track inventory, manage mass mailings, coordinate music festivals and practicing of guest artists, and managed all correspondence and scheduling. Designed and sent marketing material and managed web entries of new and vintage instruments. While the manager was out of the office for medical leave, served as the acting manager and performed sight visits, piano valuations, and sales work across the Midwest. Worked in client relations for luxury products and performed white glove delivery and setup service of instruments to clients. This included providing MIDI recordings of favorite songs, piano lab installations, and working on fundraising strategy with institutional clients and Yamaha Pianos. Leaving full-time work there to go to Lincoln County R-III, I was asked to continue to work weekends during the store closing/moving sales as an extra salesperson and assistant manager.
Education
Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Music & Gender Studies
University of Missouri – St. Louis
Associate of Fine Arts in Music
East Central College