Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

1953

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

Douglas Major is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music as an organist, conductor, and composer. Born on August 31, 1941, in Toledo, Ohio, Major showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He later switched to the organ and became a prodigious talent, winning numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. Major's early musical education began at the Toledo Museum of Art, where he studied piano and music theory. He later attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance. He continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Master of Music degree in organ performance and literature. After completing his studies, Major began his career as a church organist, serving at several churches in the United States, including St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Rochester, New York, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. He also served as the organist and choirmaster at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., from 1974 to 2002, where he gained international recognition for his performances and recordings. Throughout his career, Major has performed at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Royal Festival Hall in London. He has also performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as a performer, Major is also an accomplished composer and conductor. He has composed numerous works for organ, choir, and orchestra, and his compositions have been performed by some of the world's leading musicians. He has also conducted several orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Major's contributions to the world of music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 1998, he was awarded the prestigious St. Cecilia Medal by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, and in 2002, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the American Guild of Organists. He has also been awarded honorary doctorates from several universities, including the University of the South and the University of Toledo. Despite his many accomplishments, Major remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform, compose, and conduct, and his contributions to the world of music are sure to be felt for generations to come.

More....