Douglas Major
Encyclopedia
Douglas Major is a prominent American
composer of sacred music and concert organist
. He is the former choral director and organist at the Washington National Cathedral
, Washington, D.C.
, where he frequently performed on nationally-televised services and state occasions.
. Major earned a Bachelor of Music
degree from Webster University
there.
. He subsequently succeeded Richard Wayne Dirksen
as organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral in 1988, administering one of the country’s largest church music programs and concert schedules, which were frequently attended by heads-of-state and televised nationally. Among the many state occasions occurring during his tenure at the cathedral were the Presidential inaugural service for George W. Bush
in January, 2001, and the national day of mourning
service on September 14, 2001, following the September 11 attacks on the United States.
. He also makes joint concert appearances playing organ with the Empire Brass
quintet
.
recordings playing the Washington Cathedral's large pipe organ. In 2009, he released a CD of trumpet and organ music entitled Hope, with trumpeter Richard Watson. Major's compositions for organ and choir include:
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer of sacred music and concert organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
. He is the former choral director and organist at the Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he frequently performed on nationally-televised services and state occasions.
Early life and education
Major's childhood was spent in the Scranton, Pennsylvania, area, where he first began piano lessons. He commenced organ studies with Ronald Arnatt, while serving as assistant organist at Christ Church Cathedral (St. Louis, Missouri)Christ Church Cathedral (St. Louis, Missouri)
Christ Church Cathedral in Saint Louis, Missouri was designed by architect Leopold Eidlitz and built between 1859 and 1867. The Gothic revival structure was an expression of the city's sense of its significance as the United States expanded westwards...
. Major earned a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
degree from Webster University
Webster University
Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
there.
At the Washington National Cathedral
At just twenty-one years of age in 1974, he was appointed assistant organist at the National Cathedral by Paul CallawayPaul Callaway
Paul Smith Callaway was a prominent American organist and choral conductor, particularly well-known for his thirty-eight years at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., between 1939–1977...
. He subsequently succeeded Richard Wayne Dirksen
Richard Wayne Dirksen
Richard Wayne Dirksen was an American musician and composer, who served as Organist and Choirmaster of the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., from 1977 to 1988. Previously he was Assistant Organist and Choirmaster from 1942 to 1964...
as organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral in 1988, administering one of the country’s largest church music programs and concert schedules, which were frequently attended by heads-of-state and televised nationally. Among the many state occasions occurring during his tenure at the cathedral were the Presidential inaugural service for George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
in January, 2001, and the national day of mourning
National day of mourning
A national day of mourning is a day marked by mourning and memorial activities observed among the majority of a country's populace. They are designated by that nation's government...
service on September 14, 2001, following the September 11 attacks on the United States.
As a concert organist
In 2002, Major left the National Cathedral after 28 years of distinguished service to concentrate on concertizing and composing. As an internationally recognized performer, Major frequently tours throughout North America, Europe and the Far East. In 1982 and again in 2006, he performed in BermudaBermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
. He also makes joint concert appearances playing organ with the Empire Brass
Empire Brass
The Empire Brass is a brass quintet from the United States. Current members include:* Rolf Smedvig, trumpet* Marc Brian Reese, trumpet* Michelle Perry, French horn* Mark Hetzler, trombone* Kenneth Amis, tuba...
quintet
Brass quintet
A brass quintet is a five-piece musical ensemble composed of brass instruments. The most common instrumentation is two trumpets or cornets, one horn, one trombone or euphonium/baritone horn, and one tuba or bass trombone....
.
Recordings and compositions
Major has made several compact discCompact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
recordings playing the Washington Cathedral's large pipe organ. In 2009, he released a CD of trumpet and organ music entitled Hope, with trumpeter Richard Watson. Major's compositions for organ and choir include:
- Concertino
- Festival Te Deum
- Love Poem to God
- Mary's Lullaby
- Requiem Mass in C Minor
- Sing to the Lord a new song
- Cape Ann Portraits
Personal life
Douglas Major lives in Salem MA and is Music Director at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in nearby MarbleheadMarblehead, Massachusetts
Marblehead is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 19,808 at the 2010 census. It is home to the Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and Devereux Beach...
.