Christopher Creaghan presented a nourishing and most memorable recital, performed with impeccable skill and artistry. Exploring the organ's full tonal resources with refreshing creativity, he communicated the unique essence of each composition with musical authority and vitality, capturing the listeners' rapt attention.”

— Dr. John Walker, former President of the American Guild of Organists; Professor of Organ, Peabody Institute, Baltimore.

Organist CHRISTOPHER CREAGHAN is a New York City based recitalist, accompanist, and church musician. He is currently Director of Music and Organist of The Riverside Church where he weekly plays on one of the largest and most renowned organs in America in a service webcast live each Sunday, and oversees the administration of an extensive music program. In addition he is the Organist and Choir Director for Temple Israel of New Rochelle.

He has performed recitals on many of New York’s largest instruments including the organs of St. Bartholomew's Church, The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, The Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in repertoire spanning the Baroque period to 19th Century French masterworks, orchestral transcriptions, and works of New York City composers. Mr. Creaghan has also appeared often performing large scale choral accompaniments with many of New York’s choral organizations including The Collegiate Chorale, The New York Virtuoso Singers, The Stonewall Chorale, and The Dessoff Choirs. He has played at the Berkshire Choral Festival, and with the American Symphony Orchestra at the Bard Music Festival as well as at Carnegie Hall. He has toured Eastern Europe with The Canticum Novum Singers. Performances with orchestra have included concertos by Poulenc and Handel, and he has been a featured artist with Musica Viva performing Rheinberger’s Concerto in F Major. He has premiered works by Pamela Decker, Bruce Neswick, Gerre Hancock, Stephen Paulus, Iain Quinn, and Nancy Wertsch.

He is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with renowned organist and composer McNeil Robinson and whose works he often performs. An active member of the American Guild of Organists for many years, he is a past Dean of the New York City Chapter. A native of Canada, he has recorded for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He is married to composer and mezzo-soprano Nancy Wertsch.

 

Short Bio
Organist CHIRSTOPHER CREAGHAN has long been active in the New York City region as a recitalist, accompanist, and church musician. He is currently Director of Music and Organist for The Riverside Church in New York City where he weekly plays on one of the largest and most renowned organs in America in a service webcast live each Sunday, and oversees the administration of an extensive music program. He is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music where he studied with McNeil Robinson, and is a past Dean of the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Organist Christopher Creaghan was our featured artist at Brown Memorial Church in March of 2019. His creative programming coupled with a musical and riveting performance, showed off the vast resources of our famous E.M. Skinner organ. We look forward to having him back with us again!!”

— Michael Britt Minster of Music and Organist Brown Memorial Park Avenue Presbyterian Church Baltimore, Maryland