Westminster Choir College Organ Scholarship Competition

Joshua Stafford plays Nearer, My God, to Thee, by Karg-Elert, on the Massey Memorial Organ, Chautauqua Institution.

In April 2021, Joshua Stafford was installed as the Director of Music Ministries and Organist at Riverside Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to his Jacksonville appointment, he was director of music at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, New Jersey, from 2013–early 2021. In 2020, he was named Director of Sacred Music and the Jared Jacobsen Chair Organist of the Chautauqua Institution in western New York State.

A native of Jamestown, New York, Mr. Stafford received the Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in 2010 as a scholarship student of Alan Morrison. In 2012 he received his Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music as a student of Thomas Murray (organ performance) and Jeffrey Brillhart (organ improvisation). Joshua was the recipient of both a full-tuition scholarship and the Robert Baker Award, given to a first year organ student who exhibits exceptional promise and achievement in their field of study.

See his artist spotlight: https://www.thediapason.com/artists/joshua-stafford

Joshua Stafford is represented in North America exclusively by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, LLC. 
www.concertartists.com 

David Hurd: Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue on Windham (2022), commissioned by the Victoria Bach Festival, Victoria, Texas,  for Renée Anne Louprette.

The world premiere was presented at First United Methodist Church, Victoria, Texas on June 9, 2022. The present recording was made at the Cathedral of Uppsala, Sweden, on July 23, 2022. Organ by Fratelli Ruffatti, four manuals, with twin consoles, 2009: 
https://ruffatti.com/ru/specs/uppsala.html

David Hurd is widely recognized as one of the foremost church musicians and concert organists in the United States, with a long list of awards, prizes, honors, and achievements, and immeasurable expertise in organ performance, improvisation, and composition.  From 1976 until 2015, David Hurd was a faculty member at The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City, as Director of Chapel Music, Organist, and Professor of Church Music. From 1998–2013 he was Music Director and Organist at Church of the Holy Apostles (Episcopal) in New York City. Dr. Hurd is now Organist/Choirmaster of the famed Church of St. Mary the Virgin at Times Square.

See David Hurd’s Artist Spotlight at https://www.thediapason.com/artists/david-hurd

David Hurd is represented by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists: 
www.concertartists.com  

Hailed by The New York Times as “splendid,” and “one of New York’s finest organists”, Renée Anne Louprette performs widely as organ recitalist, accompanist, and teacher. Ms. Louprette is College Organist and Assistant Professor of Music at Bard College in New York. Renée Anne Louprette is represented by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists: 
www.concertartists.com  

Michael Hey and Christiana Liberis play J. S. Bach’s Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City.

Two classically trained musicians, both with broad musical interests and a variety of work in many of New York City’s musical circles, Michael Hey and Christiana Liberis embarked on a partnership in 2017 to bring a new and fresh approach to the organ and violin repertoire. They continue to explore and create different styles and genres of music for these two instruments.

In 2015, Michael Hey was appointed Associate Director of Music and Organist of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, where one of his first major tasks was to perform for the first U.S. visit of Pope Francis. Michael plays at the Cathedral for services throughout the week which are broadcast on Sirius XM radio, television, and online. Not exclusively a solo organist, Michael enjoys playing piano and collaborating with other artists. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School where he received his B.M. and M.M. degrees in organ performance under Paul Jacobs. www.michaelhey.com

Born in Italy of Italian, Greek, and Polish heritage, violinist/violist Christiana Liberis is a performer of international reach. Based in New York City, Christiana has been heard in concert venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, and Radio City Music Hall. Christiana’s most recent work encompasses various commercial recording sessions for Philip Glass, recording for the 2021 Superbowl LIV, playing on director Lulu Wang’s new short film “Nian” for Apple-shot entirely on an iPhone 12 Pro Max and in celebration of the Chinese New Year, and performing in a string quartet for a televised special on Bravo for the launch of Brooklyn Point with Ryan Serhant of “Million Dollar Listing.” www.christianaliberis.com

The Hey-Liberis Duo is represented in North America exclusively by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, LLC. 
www.concertartists.com 

See their artist spotlight at https://www.thediapason.com/artists/michael-hey-and-christiana-liberis