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Diane Meredith Belcher

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Diane Meredith Belcher (b. 1960) is an American concert organist, teacher, and church musician.[1] She has given a large number of solo recitals throughout the United States and abroad, is a renowned pedagogue, and presently serves as Director of Music and Organist at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Beverly, Massachusetts. Her concert career is managed by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc.

Education

Diane Meredith Belcher earned the degree of Bachelor of Music in 1982 from the Curtis Institute of Music, [2] and the degree of Master of Music in 1983 from the Eastman School of Music.[3] Teachers include David Spicer, John Weaver, Clarence Watters, David Craighead, and Wilma Jensen (organ); Ford Lallerstedt (music theory, counterpoint and keyboard studies); Edward Aldwell and David Beach (music theory).

Early Career

Ms. Belcher made her solo recital debut at age 15 at The Wayne Presbyterian Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania. While a student at Curtis, she was an Assistant Organist to Keith Chapman (organist) at the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia. At age 23 she was a featured recitalist for the first time at a convention of the American Guild of Organists, performing a full solo concert in Anaheim, California. The following year she made the first commercially available recording of the 1933 Ernest M. Skinner organ at Girard College, Philadelphia. [4] She subsequently won Second Prize in Interpretation at both the 1985 St Albans International Organ Festival [5] and the 1988 Grand Prix de Chartres [6] international organ competitions. In 1987 she was named an Associate of the American Guild of Organists, having won the S. Lewis Elmer Award for Highest Marks in the Professional Certification Examinations.

Professional Life

Diane Meredith Belcher has given solo recitals [7] throughout the United States and abroad. Her numerous recordings include the premiere CD of the Glatter-Götz/Rosales at Claremont, which won the 2000 Golden Ear Award from The Absolute Sound. She has appeared as a featured recitalist at four national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, and numerous chapter meeting and regional conventions. Performances with orchestra include the Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Syracuse, and Memphis Symphony Orchestras, and she has collaborated with such colleagues as trombonist Joseph Alessi, trumpeter Rob Roy McGregor, The Memphis Boychoir, Cambridge Concentus, and The Buxtehude Consort. She was the founding director of The Memphis Concert Chorale.

Church positions include Organist & Director of Music at Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse, Christ Church Episcopal in Memphis, St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, Christ Church in Philadelphia, Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church (Baltimore, Maryland), and (currently) at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Beverly, Massachusetts. As a pedagogue, she has taught at the University of Memphis, Westminster Choir College, and the University of Pennsylvania, in addition to her private studio. She has given numerous master classes, and is a frequent judge at organ competitions, including the Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival hosted by the First Church of Christ, Wethersfield, [8] where she was named a permanent judge in 2013. Ms. Belcher has composed a small body of organ and sacred music, including “Lutebook Lullabye”, which was written for Karen McFarlane.

Personal

Diane Meredith Belcher was married for twenty years to the American organist and choral director John Ayer (organist). They have three sons.

Discography

  • The Missouri Jewel (2-CD set): Notable hymns and associated repetoire [JAV 183]
  • Great Organs of America: The Glatter-Götz/Rosales at Claremont [JAV 115]
  • Jongen: Symphonie Concertante for Organ and Orchestra, op. 81 [DTR 8804]
  • The Great Skinner Organ at Girard College [DTR 8403]
  • PIPEDREAMS Premieres, Vol. 2: Music of Libby Larsen (Aspects of Glory)
  • The Memphis Boychoir: Our Dancing Day (composer of Lutebook Lullabye) [Pro Organo]
  • The Memphis Boychoir: In Every Corner Sing [Pro Organo]
  • The Memphis Boychoir: Shout the Glad Tidings [Pro Organo]
  • The Memphis Boychoir: What Sweeter Music [Pro Organo]

References

  1. ^ "Diane Meredith Belcher" (PDF). Karen McFarlane Artists Inc. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  2. ^ "Curtis Institute of Music Alumni". Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  3. ^ "Eastman School of Music Alumni Organ". Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  4. ^ "Great Skinner Organ at Girard College". Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  5. ^ "Past Prize Winners". Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  6. ^ "Lauréats concours". Retrieved March 29, 2014. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  7. ^ "Celebrity Organ Recital: Diane Meredith Belcher". Retrieved March 29, 2014. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  8. ^ "Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival winners to give concert in Wethersfield". The New Britain Herald. March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2014.


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