Degrees: SMD, UTS , coursework not completed; Private study in America, France, and England; SMM with distinction Union Theological Seminary School of Sacred Music, NYC, May 1954; BM with distinction: in Organ Performance, Northwestern University, 1952
Over twenty recitals each season in USA and abroad and is engaged to perform with orchestras and major choral groups each season
Conducts choral and organ workshops
Active as consultant and designer of major pipe organs
Frederick Swann, President of the American Guild of Organists (2002-2008), serves as Organist Emeritus of the Crystal Cathedral, Organist Emeritus of First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, and Organ Artist-in-residence at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California.
Mr. Swann, a native of Virginia, holds degrees from Northwestern University School of Music and the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary, all granted "with distinction". In addition to his prominent church positions, Riverside Church, NYC (1957-1982), Crystal Cathedral (1982-1998) and First Congregational Church of Los Angeles (1998-2001). He was for 10 years Chair of the Organ Department at the Manhattan School of Music and served on the faculties of the School of Sacred Music at Union Theological Seminary as well as Teacher's College of Columbia University, New York City.
In addition to more than 2,000 solo recital presentations in major churches, cathedrals and concert halls throughout North America and abroad, Mr. Swann performs frequently with symphony orchestras and choral organizations. In 2002 he was named Performer of the Year by the New York City chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In 2004 he was selected to perform the Inaugural Recital on the new organ in The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Although semi-retired, Mr. Swann is sought after as a leader of organ and church music workshops and is retained frequently as a consultant for new pipe organs, including some of the largest and most prominent in the country.
Applied Organ
Church Music
Organ Literature
Mr. Swann also serves as organist for University functions and accompanying the choral program.
BM "with distinction: in Organ Performance, Northwestern University, June 1952
SMM "with distinction," Union Theological Seminary
School of Sacred Music, NYC, May 1954
Private study with major organ teachers/concert
artists in America, France, and England
SMD , UTS (coursework not completed)
Manhattan School of Music, NYC (Chair, Organ Dept. 1972-1982 private organ and 5 related courses))
Teacher's College, Columbia University, NYC (Private Organ)
Guilmant Organ School, NYC (Private organ)
School of Sacred Music, UTS, NYC (private organ and field work supervision)
2014 Royal Canadian College of Organists FRCCO (honoris causa) recipient
Chosen to perform inaugural recitals on new organs in Philharmonic Hall, NYC; Orchestra Hall in Chicago; Davies Hall in San Francisco; Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles; Henry and Renee Segerstom Hall in Costa Mesa
Merit Award, Northwestern University
Legend of Performance Award, Northwestern University
Performer of the Year Award, NYC Chapter, American Guild of Organists
Distinguished Teacher and Performer Award, Manhattan School of Music
Paul Creston Award
Have composed and published 20 choral and 25 organ works
Have recorded 43 LP and CD recordings, most recent
being:
First recording on the new organ in Segerstrom Hall, Orange County Performing Arts Center – released March 2009.
First commercial recording on the organ in Memorial Chapel, University of Redlands; released January 2010
Wrote monthly columns for The American Organist magazine during six years as President of the AGO
Numerous articles for other professional journals over a 60 year period
American Guild of Organist (many national offices – including President) and numerous committees, including magazine editorial over 60 year period); also member of Organ Historical Society and Anglican Association of Musicians; ACDA (not current)
