Thomas Murray

Thomas Murray (b. 1943) is an American organist, music educator and distinguished interpreter of Romantic organ music. He works as a professor of music and university organist at Yale University School of Music, as well as the principal organist and artist-in-residence at Christ Church in New Haven, Connecticut. He was born in Los Angeles and studied organ and choral conducting at Occidental College, earning a B.A. degree in 1965. After graduating and winning the National Competition (1966) of American Guild of Organists, Murray began playing at Immanuel Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles. He served there as an organist till 1973. Thomas also worked as a choirmaster and organist at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston from 1975 to 1980. The musician joined Yale University faculty in 1981. For over forty years, Thomas Murray has been actively touring as a concert organist in the United States, most European countries, South America, Australia and Japan. He appeared with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Portland Symphony, National Chamber Orchestra in Washington, D.C. and other prominent international ensembles. Thomas was featured as a soloist with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra at Lahti Organ Festival in Finland. A few of his honorary titles and awards include the International Artist of the Year (1986) from the American Guild of Organists, honorary fellowship in The Royal College of Organists (2003) in the UK, and Yale's Gustave Stoeckel Award (2005) for a distinguished teaching at the School.