Music a gateway to soul for priest who is accomplished accordionist

Published: 2004-06-24

COLUMBIA, Mo. (CNS) -- It's no coincidence that Father Edwin J. Cole's favorite piece of music for the accordion -- a French polka called "Perles de Cristal" -- is also the most difficult one he has ever played. "I like the melody and what it has taken for me to learn the piece," said Father Cole, an accomplished accordionist whose near-obsession with the bellowed, keyed wind instrument dates from his childhood days in Granite Falls, Wash. Music is one of his passions, a gateway to his soul, he said. If he had not been called to be a priest, he believes he would have pursued music as a career. Father Cole, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, recently performed the daunting French polka piece and other accordion delights at a concert titled "We Are Called" in the city's historic Missouri Theatre. The concert was organized by the parish to mark his 40th anniversary as a priest. Joining Father Cole on stage were the parish choir and 12 members of the accordion ensemble at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

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