Articles and News

Jewelry Salesman Robert Schneider Starts Charity Organ Concert, ‘Pipes for Parkinson’s’ March 05, 2024 (0 comments)

St. Louis, MO--Jewelry salesman Robert Schneider has co-founded a new event called “Pipes for Parkinson’s,” which combines his love for organ music and his love for his wife who was diagnosed with the disease.

“Joanne, my wife, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease about seven years ago,” Schneider, told St. Louis television station, Fox2. “Over the last few years, it’s gotten increasingly worse, but we got everything under control.”

[From left: Chuck Chauvin, organist, Joann and Robert Schneider]

The free charity concert will be held on March18, 7:30 p.m., at the Little Flower Church, 1264 Arch Terrace Richmond Heights. It is being held to raise money and awareness for the disease.

The concert is hosted by the local chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Schneider told Fox2 that he contacted the organ guild, and they were very supportive of the ideal. Eight organists are volunteering their time.

Schneider studied the organ after graduating high school but didn’t pursue it as a career. “I’ve just renewed my interest in music, and we sat down at the breakfast table one morning and came up with this idea of Pipes for Parkinson’s,” Schneider told the station.

The pipe organ is a traditional instrument that was once in church’s across Europe and in many churches in the U.S. Some say its deep, booming reverberation is meant to embody the power of God.

Parkinson’s disease is a form of movement disorder that can affect the completion of everyday tasks. It is a long-term disease in which the symptoms often increase as time goes on. More than 1 million Americans have Parkinson's disease.

Read the full story on Fox2 and view the video below.