Celebrating the life and music of Dr. Gerre Hancock (1934–2012) who served as Organist and Master of the Choristers of Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York City from 1971–2004. 

This page features lives recordings from services at Saint Thomas Church, showcasing Dr. Hancock's skills as a church musician and improvisateur.

Composer, Lyricist, and Musician. Creator of Starborn: A Disco Odyssey

www.kaminskimusic.com

A native of Chicago, Andrew Senn began his music studies on the piano at the age of six.  At thirteen he focused his studies on the organ, primarily with William Aylesworth, and also serving as Organ Scholar at The Parish Church of St Luke in Evanston, Illinois.  During this time he also undertook coachings with Paul Manz, David Schrader and Martin Jean.

At eighteen Andrew was accepted on a merit-based, full-tuition scholarship to study organ with John Weaver at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. While at Curtis, he held posts at historic St Peter’s Church and Washington Memorial Chapel, the National Shrine in Valley Forge National Park. He also began a ten-year post as an Assistant Organist at the world-famous Wanamaker Organ, where he performed over 2,000 daily recitals.

Upon graduating from Curtis, Andrew was appointed to a unique dual position of Organ and Choral Scholar at Truro Cathedral in Cornwall, England, where he studied the English choral tradition under the cathedral organist, Andrew Nethsingha.

In August of 2006, Andrew was appointed Director of Music and Organist at The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. There he continues the rigorous music program set forth by the legendary Alexander McCurdy and continued by such notables as Keith Chapman, John Tuttle, and Tom Jaber. In addition to the professional Chancel Choir, he has formed a volunteer Parish Choir as well as a successful concert series. Since June of 2011, he has also served as Organist/Pianist for Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, PA.

Prior to First Church, Andrew served as Director of Music at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, and as Assistant Organist at St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Morristown, NJ.

Earning a growing reputation as a conductor, Andrew has led notable performances of Handel’s Messiah & Dixit Dominus, Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani, Britten’s Saint Nicolas, Bach’s Mass in B minor & Saint John Passion, and Duruflé’s Requiem. He has performed with The Philadelphia Singers (the resident chorus for the Philadelphia Orchestra) and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and has also made several appearances on the acclaimed Dobson organ in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center.

Known for his colorful programming and exciting playing, Andrew’s engagements have taken him to such venues as The Cathedral of St John the Divine New York, St Thomas Church New York, St Philip’s Cathedral Atlanta, Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Philadelphia, and Westminster Abbey and the Cathedrals in London, Truro, Rochester and Chichester in England. He has undertaken several recital tours in Germany and England, and was a finalist in improvisation at the 2013 Luxembourg International Organ Competition.


Choral conductor and organist. Soundcloud neophyte. Eager to share some of my work, and will continue to upload as time permits.  Please excuse the fact that some tracks were cleaned up from really poor quality live recordings.


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