John Walker (organist)

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John Walker

at the 4-manual E.M. Skinner pipe organ–
Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2008
Born November 19, 1941 (1941-11-19) (age 66)
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Occupation Organist, Choirmaster, and Professor

John C. Walker (born November 19, 1941, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania), more familiarly known as John Walker, is an American concert organist, choirmaster, and CD recording artist. Walker has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe. He is "widely recognized for his flawless technique and execution as well as his controlled and passionate playing", said Duke University in announcing a John Walker recital at Duke Chapel.[1] He is currently minister of music and organist at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland, appointed in 2004.

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[edit] Early years and education

Walker, the son of a Presbyterian minister, said he "always wished that I could be the church organist", as a child growing up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He began fulfilling his wish as a high school freshman, playing as a substitute church organist at his father's church when the regular organist became ill for a month.[2] He studied at Westminster College, Pennsylvania, and at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, where he earned two Master of Music degrees cum laude: organ and church music in 1965 and music theory in 1969. Walker then earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stanford University in 1972.[3]

[edit] Professional career

Walker was professor of organ at San José State University, San Jose, California, in the mid 1970s, before becoming assistant organist at New York City's famed Riverside Church in 1979. He subsequently succeeded Frederick Swann as director of music and organist at Riverside Church (1983-1992). While in New York, Walker chaired the organ department of the Manhattan School of Music. In 1992, he became minister of music and organist at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1992-2005).[3][4]

Music critics have praised Walker's organ concerts, a New York Times reviewer saying of his recital of American organ music at Riverside Church: "His registrations were colorful and imaginative, his technical command impeccable."[5] A Kansas City Star review of Walker's performance at the RLDS Auditorium there said, "Anyone harboring notions of organ recitals as dull, churchy affairs obviously hasn't heard John Walker... A high-profile musical personality was never in doubt, and there was virtuosity to burn".[6]

In addition to solo organ appearances, Walker has often performed with notable orchestras, such as the San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. He also accompanied the New York Philharmonic in a 1990 recording of Gustav Holst's The Planets.

The organ divisions and chancel at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, where John Walker is minister of music and organist
The organ divisions and chancel at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church, where John Walker is minister of music and organist

Walker told a radio interviewer in 2006 that performing an organ recital for a large audience is a "great thrill", but he finds it "more fulfilling" to play the organ for worship services. Playing for a congregation "singing with its full heart and soul", he said, "is moving beyond measure... through the way I interpret the texts in the hymns... it's a combination of being an organist, a composer, and a pastor".[4] He told one magazine interviewer, "Service players create something meaningful and artistic by providing leadership in the liturgy as well as congregational participation in worship".[2]

Walker currently serves as professor of organ performance at Baltimore's renowned Peabody Institute.[3] Previously, he was adjunct professor of organ and sacred music at Duquesne University (1997–2006), adjunct professor of music at Westminster College (1993–1998), and chairman of the organ department at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City (1984–1992).[7]

[edit] Awards and honors

Dr. Walker is a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), the highest level of certification granted by the organization, and sits on the AGO Board of Examiners.[8] He received the Professional Achievement Award from Westminster Choir College in 1984.[9]

Walker was also given a Fulbright Fellowship grant for a lecture series in 1999 at a college in Taiwan, to teach organ repertoire and hymn improvisation, along with giving weekly organ recitals.[10] Shortly before he was to begin, the devastating 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake hit Taiwan on September 21, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale. Walker's performances became benefit concerts instead, helping to raise money for disaster relief between October, 1999, and February, 2000. A recital by Walker, originally intended to be part of a 50th anniversary celebration of Taiwan's current government, was transformed into a memorial service for the earthquake's victims.[10]

[edit] Discography

John Walker has recorded on the Pro Organo, Gothic, and JAV labels. In addition to several choral recordings, his organ discography includes:

  • Reflections from Riverside, 2006
  • Christmas Rediscovered, 2003
  • Romance — John Walker plays the Shadyside organ, 1995
  • John Walker & the Riverside Organ, 1989
  • Carol Rhapsody, 1987
  • John Walker, Organist — The Riverside Church, 1985
  • Messiaen's L'Ascension, 1981


[edit] References

  1. ^ Organ Recital: John Walker. Duke Chapel. Duke University. Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  2. ^ a b Nelson, Barbara (January 1997). "John Walker Discusses Organ and Piano". Clavier magazine: pp 39–41. 
  3. ^ a b c John Walker profile. Peabody Institute (2007).
  4. ^ a b Walker on the Wild Side. Pipedreams. American Public Media. 2006-10-23. No. 0643.
  5. ^ Tim Page (1986-07-03). Recital: John Walker organist. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.
  6. ^ Scott Cantrell. "No one slept through this organ recital, John Walker gave energetic performance at RLDS Auditorium", The Kansas City Star, 1994-02-22, p. E5. 
  7. ^ Dynamic organist John Walker to perform April 2 at Wilson College. Wilson College (Pennsylvania) (2006-03-13). Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  8. ^ "Summary of AGO Certification Requirements" (January, 2008). The American Organist 42 (1): 19. American Guild of Organists. 
  9. ^ John Walker — Organ recital program. Duke Chapel. Duke University (2007-10-14). Retrieved on 2008-01-25.
  10. ^ a b Fulbright Scholar Stories: John Walker. Fulbright Program. Retrieved on 2008-01-28.