Bryan Anderson

Bryan Anderson enjoys a versatile career as an organist, church musician, teacher, and musical collaborator. The Diapason, which named Bryan to its “20 under 30” Class of 2017, called him “brilliant, yet quiet and unassuming.” Classical Voice of North Carolina described his playing as “simply first class.” Across various disciplines and specialties, Bryan’s reputation as an effective musician is well-established.

Bryan maintains an active solo performance and competition career, in 2021 taking a 3rd prize and Robilliard prize at the Canadian International Organ Competition, and in 2019 winning the Firmin Swinnen Second Prize at the Longwood Gardens Organ Competition. He has also performed at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. Recently he appeared on the album Pipedreams Premieres, vol. 3, performing music of Henry Martin alongside Isabelle Demers, Stephen Tharp, and Ken Cowan. Bryan has completed a number of original orchestral transcriptions, and enjoys utilizing these “hidden gems,” including works by Duruflé, Alkan, and Debussy, in recitals. Collaboration and ensemble music in all its forms is a passion for Bryan, which recently has included varied appearances with the viols of Les Touches (as harpsichordist), with Houston Grand Opera, and with trumpeters Christopher Martin and Barbara Butler.

Bryan is currently employed as Director of Music at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church and School in Houston, TX, where he directs the parish choir of adults and young choristers, oversees daily sung services within the K-12 school, and works as a classroom music teacher to elementary grades. Bryan also works as the Preparatory Choir Director for the Houston Childrens’ Chorus. He previously held positions at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston; Wells Cathedral in Somerset, England; and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Tenth Presbyterian Church, both in Philadelphia. He also served as an assistant organist at the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ.

Bryan received his Master’s Degree in organ performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in 2018, where he studied with Ken Cowan. Bryan’s undergraduate work was completed at the Curtis Institute of Music, resulting in his Bachelor’s Degree in organ with Alan Morrison, and an Artist Diploma in harpsichord (studying with Leon Schelhase). Previous teachers were Jeannine Morrison, in piano, and Sarah Martin, in organ.