It’s obvious that the organ is not a dead instrument, given its popularity in sporting arenas and certain classic songs, but not everyone knows that there are players still carrying on the classical organ tradition. Even in the United States alone, there is a plethora of players regularly working the pumps and astounding audiences. If you get a chance to see one of these players on their way through your town, don’t miss it.
- Guy Whatley was born in Wales in 1975, but got his doctorate at Arizona State University, where he wrote a dissertation on Tudor organ music. He regularly tours with trumpeter Jean-Christophe Dobrzelewski, as well as playing full-time at the Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley, AZ.
- James Biery had the highest score on the Fellowship of the American Guild of Organists (FAGO) exam in 1986, and continues to perform music of the 19th and early 20th centuries. He also composes music of his own, and only recently retired from Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Minnesota.
- Chelsea Chen is one of the youngest organists currently performing, only gaining notice in the late 1990s. She performs in both America and Taiwan, occasionally as part of an acclaimed violin-organ duo with Lewis Wong. Upcoming performances include an August European Tour and an October appearance at the University of California.
- Carlo Curley is as skilled at the organ as he is at entertaining. He has been dubbed the “Pavarotti of the organ” by the press, referring to the famous Italian opera tenor. Among his notable concert record, he was the first classical organist to give a solo recital at the White House, and he continues to tour and promote organ music to this day.