Holy Cross Catholic Church NE Minneapolis
Organ Recital: Christopher Ganza, December 6, 2020; 5:30pm
Program:
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659-661 -J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Ave Maris Stella, Op. 18 -Marcel Dupré (1886-1971)
I. When the Salutation Gabriel Had Spoken
II. Jesus’s Tender Mother, Make Thy Supplication
III. So Now as We Journey, Aid Our Weak Endeavor
IV. Amen (Finale)
Rorate Caeli (Choral orné), Op. 18 -Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968)
Marche Religieuse, sur un motif de choeur “Lift Up Your Heads” du Messie de Händel, Op. 15,
-Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)
About The Performer:
Chris Ganza is the Choir Director and Organist, as well as the Artistic Director of the Cathedral Concert Series at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the National Shrine of the Apostle Paul. He directs the adult choir, assists in the Cathedral's chorister training program, serves as organist for various sung liturgies, and manages the scheduling and details of the Cathedral's concert series.
Chris earned the Bachelor of Music degree in Church Music from Saint Olaf College, studying organ performance and improvisation with John Ferguson and Catherine Rodland, and conducting with Anton Armstrong, Christopher Aspaas, Timothy Mahr, and Steven Amundson. He earned the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Organ Performance from the University of Oklahoma, studying organ performance and improvisation with John Schwandt and Damin Spritzer, and studying conducting with Richard Zielinski. While completing his degrees he was a graduate assistant in both the organ and choral departments, and received the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has been the recipient of first place in various competitions, including the Paul Manz Scholarship Competition, the John R. Rodland Memorial Scholarship Competition, and the Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition.
Chris's study of the organ began at the age of nine, under the tutelage of Ray Cornils, Municipal Organist Emeritus of the City of Portland, ME. In addition to parishes in his home state of Maine, he has served parishes in Saint Paul, Oklahoma City, and Minneapolis. He was the first organ scholar at the Church of Saint Louis, King of France in Saint Paul, the Director of Music and Organist and Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, OK, and the Organist and Choirmaster at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Minneapolis. In addition to his work at the Cathedral, Chris maintains a solo concert schedule, and is the Director of Choral Music at Saint Agnes School in Saint Paul, where he directs an acclaimed choral program for students in grades 5-12.
Consider making an offering to Holy Cross Catholic Church: https://www.ourholycross.org/donate
