Nicholas Schmelter, Concert Organist
Friday, September 13, 2019 - 7:00 p.m. - Christ Lutheran Church - 3401 S. Dixon Road - Kokomo, IN 46902
Regarded for his creative programming, symphonic use of the organ, and virtuosic pedal technique, Nicholas Schmelter graduated in 2006 with a Master of Music degree in organ performance from Central Michigan U., where he studied with Dr. Steven Egler. He was awarded honors at CMU including a Graduate Fellowship, the Centralis Scholar Award, the School of Music Performance Scholarship, and the Presser Foundation Award. Nicholas is a frequent recitalist, offering performances throughout Michigan as well as in Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, London and Toronto, Canada, and other regions. A composer himself, Nicholas has commissioned and premiered new music by Moonyeen Albrecht, Robert Powell, Philip Rice, Bernard Wayne Sanders, and others. A church musician since the age of sixteen, he offers private instruction and coaching, is a sought-after choral accompanist, enjoys several collaborative musical partnerships, including the duo All_flash, No_trash with pianist Tyler Kivel, and has instructed among the contingent faculty members at Saginaw Valley State U. He is Director of Worship and Congregational Life at First Presbyterian Church of Caro, Michigan, where he utilizes the unaltered Aeolian-Skinner organ in a warmly received series of community concerts. He has served as Artist in Residence at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bay City, Michigan, since 2007, and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Flint.