National Cathedral organist Thomas Sheehan in concert

National Cathedral Organist Thomas Sheehan to Perform at St. James by-the-Sea Following President Carter's State Memorial Service

Three days after performing at President Jimmy Carter's state funeral, Thomas Sheehan, Cathedral Organist and Interim Director of Music at Washington National Cathedral, will present an organ recital at St. James by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in La Jolla on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

The recital will showcase St. James' magnificent new Rosales/Parsons pipe organ, dedicated in 2023. The instrument represents a remarkable collaboration between two distinguished organ builders: Manuel Rosales of Los Angeles and Parsons Organ Builders of Canandaigua, New York. This masterpiece of craftsmanship features 65 voices, 79 ranks, 102 stops, and 4,551 pipes, making it a landmark instrument in North America.

The program will feature the grand Praeludium in G Major by Nicholaus Bruhns, Sasurai, a virtuosic piece by 20th-century Japanese composer Takashi Sakai, and variations on the beloved hymn tune Engelberg by Mark Miller. Following this performance, Sheehan returns to Washington to prepare for the 2025 presidential inaugural prayer service at the National Cathedral.

Dr. Sheehan brings an impressive musical pedigree to this performance. As the Cathedral Organist at Washington National Cathedral, he has performed at numerous significant national events, including the virtual service celebrating President Biden and Vice President Harris's inauguration. His distinguished career includes positions at Harvard University's Memorial Church, Saint Mark's Church in Philadelphia, and Trinity Episcopal Church in Princeton.

A graduate of the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music with diplomas in both organ and harpsichord, Sheehan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University and degrees from Westminster Choir College. In 2016, he was recognized as one of The Diapason's "20 under 30," marking him as a rising star in the organ performance world. His international performance career has taken him across the United States, Canada, and Europe, with notable appearances in Reykjavík, Toulouse, and Montréal.

The concert is part of the St. James Music Series. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend this extraordinary musical event.

Visit: National Cathedral organist Thomas Sheehan in concert