by Bailey Basham, Messenger Staff Writer

Music has been a part of Geoffrey Ward’s life since he was young. Early on, his father demonstrated a deep appreciation for classical and church music. Ward said that is something he carried with him into his professional life.

Ward, who is the University’s organist and choirmaster, first began studying the organ as a student of Arizona State University. His background was initially in piano and trumpet, but during his studies at ASU, the organ became his focus.

Drawing inspiration from his father’s love of music, Ward went on to study trumpet, piano, pipe organ and conducting. Later this month, he will present an organ concert showcasing the works by Camille Saint-Saëns, Johann Sebastian Bach, Jehan Alain, Herbert Howells and Max Reger. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, in All Saints’ Chapel.

This recital precedes his performance with the Trinity Church on Wall Street in New York City. Trinity Church is an inclusive Episcopal community focused on service to others, and Ward’s performance at the church is scheduled for 1 p.m., Thursday, March 12.

“The recital at Trinity Wall Street is part of their concert series called Pipes at One. The music program at Trinity is one of the best in the country. There is a professional choir in residence as well as many other choirs, orchestras and concert series,” he said.

Ward and his wife, Hilary, who works as a visiting professor of music and managing director of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, have been in Sewanee for four years, and Ward said the inspiration for much of his work comes from people—those he interacts with on the Mountain and beyond.

“Having the opportunity to work within a diverse community and sharing the gift of music is always an inspiration, and this recital is a great opportunity to share the beautiful organ in All Saints’ Chapel,” he said.

Before making Sewanee home, Ward previously worked as the Healey Willan Organ Scholar at Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Toronto, Canada. He said that experience was formative in furthering his appreciation for liturgical music.

“This was truly the greatest experience of my life up until this point. I hardly made any money, and I was constantly busy learning as much as I could from the multiple choirs, priests and the director of music. Saint Mary Magdalene has two choirs for their principal liturgy every Sunday. There is a male chant choir that performs from the front of the church and an SATB motet choir that sings from the balcony. Healey Willan established the tradition of music excellence at this church from 1921 to 1968 and it continues to this day. The beauty of the liturgy and the community of this church live with me to this day.”

The concert is free and open to the public. Ward’s performance at Trinity Church will be at Saint Paul’s Chapel and will be live-streamed on the Trinity website https://www.trinitywallstreet.org

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