Olivier Messiaen

Arts Empowering Life Organists

James Jordan has performed as an organ accompanist and soloist throughout the United States and Eastern and Western Europe. Cited as performing both “authoritatively and sensitively” by the Boston Globe, and as a “superb performer” by American Record Guide, Dr. Jordan earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, studying with Robert Anderson. As a student of David Craighead, he received his Master’s Degree, Doctorate, and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He has published in the American Choral Review and was a contributing author to American Sacred Choral Music—An Overview and Handbook (Paraclete Press, 2001).
Dr. Jordan has done extensive work in Gregorian Chant as a member of the Gloriæ Dei Cantores Schola, studying under Dr. Mary Berry. He has also been featured on numerous Gloriæ Dei Cantores recordings as well as solo organ recordings, including Olivier Messiaen: The Mystical Colors of Christ with David Chalmers and SharonRose Pfeiffer.

Dr. David Chalmers, a performer of wide-ranging interests and experience, has given numerous organ concerts in the United States and abroad, including engagements in New York, Pittsburgh, Nashville, West Point, many American Guild of Organists Chapters throughout the country, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, Princeton University, Trinity Church in Boston, MA, and Washington National Cathedral. His foreign appearances have included such notable venues as St. Sulpice in Paris, Conservatory Hall and Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and St. John’s College Chapel, Cambridge, at the invitation of George Guest.
A native of Newark, Delaware, Dr. Chalmers began organ studies with Lee Dettra, and received his Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College, where he studied with George Markey. He received the master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with David Craighead. The winner of a Fulbright Fellowship, Dr. Chalmers spent two years studying in Paris with Daniel Roth, specializing in French organ music of the nineteenth century.
He has been featured on the Gloriæ Dei Cantores recordings Leo Sowerby: American Master of Sacred Song and Peace Be With You (J.S. Bach). He also collaborated with James Jordan and SharonRose Pfeiffer on the recording Olivier Messiaen: The Mystical Colors of Christ. Dr. Chalmers is an artist-in-residence at the Church of the Transfiguration, where he plays concerts and weekly services. He also works in the Music Marketing Department of Paraclete Press, writes notes and gives lectures at concerts of Gloriæ Dei Cantores.

ABOUT THE ORGAN
The organ of the Church of the Transfiguration is a restoration and expansion of pipes and components from seventeen E.M. Skinner organs build in the early twentieth century. Suspended over the side aisles in mahogany chambers are pipes of wood and metal ranging from six inches to thirsty-two feet in length. Build by Nelson Bardon & Associates of Boston, it is a museum-quality restoration that will include over 12,000 pipes when complete. The organ’s unique location allows its sounds to be specifically directed so as to fill the entire space, giving a “surround-sound” effect, unique among organs throughout the world.