Michael S. Murray

The adult portion of the parish’s music program is under the direction of Michael S. Murray, originally from Queensland, Australia.  He holds advanced degrees in organ (with distinction) from the Longy School of Music, Cambridge, MA where he studied organ with Peter Sykes.  Previous studies in organ have been undertaken with Stefan Engels (Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ) and also David Rumsey (Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia).  Study in Organ Improvisation has primarily been undertaken with Dorothy J. Papadakos (Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York, NY).  Study in choral conducting has been primarily undertaken with Dr. James Jordan and Jeffrey Rinck.

In addition to his duties as a sacred musician, he maintains a demanding solo recital schedule, performing in major venues throughout America, Europe and Australia.  He has appeared in recital at numerous national conventions, including the American Institute of Organbuilders, the International Society of Organbuilders, and the Anglican Association of Musicians, and has performed in such esteemed venues as the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, New York, NY, Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Methuen, MA,  Church of the Incarnation, Dallas, TX, in the USA and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne, Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney and many others.  His performances are regularly heard on 3MBS-FM (Melbourne, Australia) and WCRB-FM (Boston, MA) radio broadcasts.   He has won numerous awards, including first place, in 1999, in the "Herbert Davis Organ Competition," one of Australia's most prestigious musical competitions.