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I'm a native of New York City, the home of
much of my family for nearly two centuries. I
was born at Lenox Hill Hospital and grew up
at 32 Gramercy Park South.
When I was nine, we moved to Port
Washington, Long Island. I attended Saint
Mary's Boys' High School, Manhasset, and
Cathedral College of the Immaculate
Conception, Douglaston, where I graduated
magna cum laude. I served as Music
Director of Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic
Church in East Hampton, LI, and also did
high school musical directing in Sag Harbor.
much of my family for nearly two centuries. I
was born at Lenox Hill Hospital and grew up
at 32 Gramercy Park South.
When I was nine, we moved to Port
Washington, Long Island. I attended Saint
Mary's Boys' High School, Manhasset, and
Cathedral College of the Immaculate
Conception, Douglaston, where I graduated
magna cum laude. I served as Music
Director of Most Holy Trinity Roman Catholic
Church in East Hampton, LI, and also did
high school musical directing in Sag Harbor.
In 1984, I began graduate work at the University of Chicago.
I received the MA in English Lit, with honors, in 1985, and
won a full fellowship for the PhD. Meanwhile I played a
1924 E. M. Skinner at the United Church of Hyde Park on
53rd and Blackstone.
I began serious organ study in 1985, while beginning PhD
studies. My piano training had also begun late--at 17--with
Mrs. Grace Kromer (1893-1991) in Port Washington.
After several years of 18th century British literature, I quit
English in favor of music. I worked with David Schrader at
Roosevelt University, earning the M.Mus. with honors in
December, 1994. While in Chicago, I served at several
major city churches, including Saint Peter's in the Loop and
Fourth Presbyterian.
In 1997, I became an Associate of the American Guild of
Organists, winning the Associateship Prize and the S.
Lewis Elmer Prize for the highest scores in the nation on
the Guild's annual certification exams. That same spring, I
was offered a teaching fellowship for the Doctor of Music at
the School of Music of Indiana University, Bloomington. I
went, and studied with Marilyn Keiser, and also with Chris
Young.
In addition to organ studies, I was required to declare two
minor fields; I chose Music Theory and Music History to gain
versatility as a teacher and scholar.
I began as a drill instructor for T231, first-semester
sophomore ear training. The next spring, I was promoted to
Skills Co-ordinator for T232, and entrusted with oversight for
the second-semester course in advanced tonal ear training.
This required me to overhaul the course packet, plan the
curriculum for my twice-weekly lectures and my assistants'
drill sections, implement the course materials in a syllabus
of my own design, and write all the examinations.
It was one of the greatest privileges in my life to teach this
course, and one of my greatest learning experiences.
I received the MA in English Lit, with honors, in 1985, and
won a full fellowship for the PhD. Meanwhile I played a
1924 E. M. Skinner at the United Church of Hyde Park on
53rd and Blackstone.
I began serious organ study in 1985, while beginning PhD
studies. My piano training had also begun late--at 17--with
Mrs. Grace Kromer (1893-1991) in Port Washington.
After several years of 18th century British literature, I quit
English in favor of music. I worked with David Schrader at
Roosevelt University, earning the M.Mus. with honors in
December, 1994. While in Chicago, I served at several
major city churches, including Saint Peter's in the Loop and
Fourth Presbyterian.
In 1997, I became an Associate of the American Guild of
Organists, winning the Associateship Prize and the S.
Lewis Elmer Prize for the highest scores in the nation on
the Guild's annual certification exams. That same spring, I
was offered a teaching fellowship for the Doctor of Music at
the School of Music of Indiana University, Bloomington. I
went, and studied with Marilyn Keiser, and also with Chris
Young.
In addition to organ studies, I was required to declare two
minor fields; I chose Music Theory and Music History to gain
versatility as a teacher and scholar.
I began as a drill instructor for T231, first-semester
sophomore ear training. The next spring, I was promoted to
Skills Co-ordinator for T232, and entrusted with oversight for
the second-semester course in advanced tonal ear training.
This required me to overhaul the course packet, plan the
curriculum for my twice-weekly lectures and my assistants'
drill sections, implement the course materials in a syllabus
of my own design, and write all the examinations.
It was one of the greatest privileges in my life to teach this
course, and one of my greatest learning experiences.
In 1999, in Indianapolis, I became a Fellow of the Pi
graduated from the School of Music as a Doctor of Music.
Chairman of the department. In 2002 I was elected a
member of the St. Wilfrid Club, a century-old New York
City club for the area's leading organists.
I'd returned home to NYC in September of 2000 and
engaged in church and synagogue work. I also work
regularly with Bill Powers, a marvelous classical
saxophone player. I invested four years of hard work
helping to rebuild an Episcopal parish on the Upper East
Side--work that I will always take pride in.
I am now happy to serve at a healthy and supportive
parish in Orange County, and am continuing to do my
best to insure that church has a future in America. My
synagogue in Brooklyn is a delight as well.
As a writer, I have served as newsletter editor for four
AGO chapters: Chicago, Bloomington, Manhattan and
Brooklyn. I've published reviews in Choral Journal and
The Living Church, and had poetry in print (in, among
other places, Pegasus; the National College Poetry
Review; the East Hampton Star; the Douglaston Review;
and the odd college or coffee house samizdat). I've given
poetry readings at Canio's Books in Sag Harbor and on
WHPK-FM, the radio station of the University of Chicago.
I have published in the American Organist and in the
Tracker, as well as the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. My book on
Calvin Hampton is out, and other projects are underway.
graduated from the School of Music as a Doctor of Music.
Chairman of the department. In 2002 I was elected a
member of the St. Wilfrid Club, a century-old New York
City club for the area's leading organists.
I'd returned home to NYC in September of 2000 and
engaged in church and synagogue work. I also work
regularly with Bill Powers, a marvelous classical
saxophone player. I invested four years of hard work
helping to rebuild an Episcopal parish on the Upper East
Side--work that I will always take pride in.
I am now happy to serve at a healthy and supportive
parish in Orange County, and am continuing to do my
best to insure that church has a future in America. My
synagogue in Brooklyn is a delight as well.
As a writer, I have served as newsletter editor for four
AGO chapters: Chicago, Bloomington, Manhattan and
Brooklyn. I've published reviews in Choral Journal and
The Living Church, and had poetry in print (in, among
other places, Pegasus; the National College Poetry
Review; the East Hampton Star; the Douglaston Review;
and the odd college or coffee house samizdat). I've given
poetry readings at Canio's Books in Sag Harbor and on
WHPK-FM, the radio station of the University of Chicago.
I have published in the American Organist and in the
Tracker, as well as the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. My book on
Calvin Hampton is out, and other projects are underway.
I've given solo organ recitals throughout
America and abroad. I have given
workshops for the AGO both locally and
nationally and played locally and nationally
for the Organ Historical Society. I am enjoying
a life devoted to music, literature, and
spirituality, and to good friends near and far.
America and abroad. I have given
workshops for the AGO both locally and
nationally and played locally and nationally
for the Organ Historical Society. I am enjoying
a life devoted to music, literature, and
spirituality, and to good friends near and far.
Calvin Hampton directed the music. To his left and behind him are two buddies (Brian
and Joe) from Epiphany. His father is just visible (receding hairline, back left).
and Joe) from Epiphany. His father is just visible (receding hairline, back left).
