Lars Gjerde

Lars Gjerde (b.1980), from Aure, Norway, began organ studies at the age of nine. He graduated from Christian Upper Secondary School, Trondheim, where he majored in English and German. In 2002, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and German summa cum laude from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. During his studies, Lars served as the College Chapel Organist and accompanied college choral and opera ensembles on several occasions. In 2000, he was the Second National Winner in the Music Teachers National Association Collegiate Organ Competition. He received an Honorable Mention in the 2002 Reuter/Augustana Arts National Undergraduate Organ Competition in Denver, Colorado.

Lars completed the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree at the Edvard Grieg Academy of Music in Bergen, Norway, in 2002, earning the highest grade for his organ examination. He served as Organist and Choir Director at First Methodist Church, Bergen, and sang with Sandviken Kantori and the prestigious Bergen Domkantori.

Lars currently holds a graduate award at the Eastman School of Music, where he completed his Master of Music degree in Organ Performance and Literature in 2007, and is now pursuing the Sacred Music Diploma and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance and Literature degree. He studies organ with David Higgs. Lars held the position of Assistant Musician at The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word, Rochester, from 2004 till 2007, and sings alto with the Christ Church Schola Cantorum under the direction of Stephen Kennedy.

Current as of October 21, 2009.