ERIK WM. SUTER

Biography

A native of Chicago, Erik Wm. Suter holds degrees in organ performance from Oberlin Conservatory and Yale University, where he studied with Haskell Thomson and Thomas Murray respectively. He most recently held the position of Organist and Associate Director of Music at Washington National Cathedral. Previous positions included Trinity Church, Copley Square, and at the Parish of All Saints, both in Boston; and at Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven, Connecticut.

Mr. Suter has maintained an active solo recital schedule. He has performed extensively in the United States and Canada in addition to appearing in several Asian and European countries. He has performed at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. As a continuo artist, he has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra and National Symphony Orchestra.

In the spring of 1991, Mr. Suter won first prize in the Conrad Sulzer Young Performer's Piano Competition in Chicago. He won first prize in the 1993 Chicago American Guild of Organists Young Organist's Competition. In 1995, he won first prize in the National Undergraduate Organ Competition in Ottumwa, Iowa. In 1996, he won the Gold Medal of the Mayor of Musashino/Tokyo in the International Organ Competition Musashino in Japan. In 1997, Mr. Suter won first prize in the Yale Biennial Organ Competition. He was a two-time finalist in the prestigious AGO National Competition in Organ Playing. Mr. Suter has been heard on the nationally syndicated Minnesota Public Radio show "Pipedreams". His performances can be heard on the JAV Recordings, Pro Organo, and Gothic labels. Mr. Suter recently released his fourth solo compact disc featuring the complete organ works of Maurice Duruflé as heard live in recital at Washington National Cathedral.

In his free time Erik enjoys reading, sailing and skiing. He is an avid hockey player and a private pilot. He lives in Washington with his wife and son.

Current as of July 2007