Rice University, Shepherd School of Music, Head of Organ Program

Program:

• Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C major, BWV 564 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
• Elegy by William Grant-Still (1895-1978)
• Humoresque, Op. 77 (Hommage à Marcel Dupré) by Rachel Laurin (b. 1961)
• Allegro, from Organ Symphony No. 6, Op. 42, No. 2 by Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)
• Variations on a Theme by Paganini by George Thalben-Ball (1896-1987)
• Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Savior of the Nations, Come), BWV 659 by J.S. Bach
• Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g’mein (Rejoice, Beloved Christians), BWV 734 by J.S. Bach
• Fantasy on the Chorale by Max Reger (1873-1916)
  • “How Brightly Shines the Morning Star”, Op. 40 No. 1

EXCLUSIVE MANAGEMENT:  Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc www.concertorganists.com

About Ken Cowan

Ken Cowan is one of North America’s finest concert organists. Praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique, and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike, he maintains a rigorous performing schedule that takes him to major concert venues and churches in America, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Recent feature performances have included appearances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California, Philadelphia’s Verizon Hall, Spivey Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and concerts in Germany and Korea. In addition, Mr. Cowan has been a featured artist in recent years at the national conventions of the American Guild of Organists held in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, has performed at many regional conventions of the AGO, and has been featured at several conventions of the Organ Historical Society and the Royal Canadian College of Organists.

Ken received the Master’s degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music/Institute of Sacred Music, studying organ with Thomas Murray. Prior to attending Yale, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he studied with John Weaver. His primary teacher during high school years was James Bigham, Organist/Choirmaster at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, in Buffalo, New York, which is not far from his hometown Thorold, Ontario, Canada.

In 2012 Mr. Cowan joined the keyboard faculty of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University as associate professor and head of the organ program. Previous positions have included associate professor of Organ at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey, where he was awarded the 2008 Rider University Distinguished Teaching Award, and associate organist and artist-in-residence at Saint Bartholomew’s Church in New York City. kencowanorganist.com