| C. Anthony Pessarra 14703 Sugarplum Ln., Houston, TX 77062 Ph: 281-488-2055 Fax: 281-990-8960 Email: ANTHONY |
PERSONAL BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT
Born in Freeport, Texas into a musical family with lineage extending back into Germany and
Belgium for over 900 years and in Texas for over 100 years, Anthony was inspired from an early
age by music and family members with musical talents. There were many examples including
kapellmeisters and organists as well as fiddle players, folk and country singers, accountants and
lawyers.
Early musical studies started at age 3 1/2. At 7, he was accepted as a student of Ethel Clark, a
Julliard trained pianist and organist, and at age 9 began playing for local churches. As organist for
St. Paul's Episcopal church in Freeport, he was immersed in the Merbeck liturgy and plain chant.
Concurrently serving as organist at First Presbyterian Church, it was common that he ran three
blocks from St. Paul to First Presbyterian for the 11: 15 service.
These early years of church playing provided contact with the great music of the church including
Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Brahms, et al. Additionally, through association with music directors in
church and school settings, he became familiar with many fine examples of choral and solo
literature from Palestrina to contemporary. From this individual attention and direction there
developed a solid foundation of practice habits and musical standards that remain to this day.
He was fortunate at this age to be encouraged by Fr. Stanley Wilson, an Episcopal priest, to attend
church music seminars at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, where he associated with
many outstanding musicians of national stature. This early exposure contributed significantly to
the introduction to and appreciation of the high professional standards that would serve as models
for his own dedication to excellence.
In addition to organ studies, several hours each day were devoted to piano practice and quickly
lead to opportunities as an accompanist for many different community musical events. At 14, he
was exposed to performances of Prof. Michael Schneider playing J. S. Bach on the St.-Johannis-
Kirche organ in Luneberg, Germany. Three of these works, the Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C
major, Toccata in F major, and the famous D minor Toccata and Fugue, particularly inspired and
motivated study and practice despite his music instructor's concern about their level of difficulty.
The audition performance of these three pieces eventually led directly to the award of a full four
year music scholarship.
For variety and fun during the teen years, he also played piano and guitar in a rock band, a jazz
ensemble and played various popular music styles and venues of the day including "battle of the
bands", proms, dances, weddings, parties, etc.- again, over the occasional criticism and raised
eyebrows of his music teacher!
The unavoidable approach of graduation forced considerations of the future options. In the senior
year he ceased lessons in piano and organ for about six months (for what was a well deserved
rest from formal training). However, he continued to play professionally for various churches and
events as well as maintaining a daily four hour practice schedule. After this hiatus and time to
consider all the available careers the decision was made to pursue a career in piano and organ
performance. That pursuit is an ongoing story and a never ending quest…..
EDUCATION AND CHRONOLOGICAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1946 Piano and organ lessons- Ethel Clark (Julliard).
1949 Organist, Fjrst Presbyterian and St. Pauls Episcopal Churches (weddings, funerals).
1954 Accompanist acappella choir, intermediate school/high school and UIL.
1955 Seminars at Seminary of the Southwest, Austin - first performance of Handle Messiah, Bach's
ltalian Concerto and the Brahms German Requiem.
1959 Piano and theory studies with Dr. William Decker (Eastman School) at Wharton Jr. College -
acappella choir accompanist.
1961 B.Mus. & M.Mus. Sam Houston University - Double majors english lit and philosoply. Dr. Harry
Mallard, Dr. John Paul, Dr. Robert Floyd, Dr. Page C. Long- organ/piano. Accompanist acappella
choIr & grand chorus - first performance Handel organ concerti with orchestra, R. Vaughn WIlliams
Hodie, vocal and instrumental accompaniments.
Premier performance of organ works by Vincent Persichetti for the composer 1965 Recipient of
the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Outstanding Musicianship Award for six undergraduate organ recitals
and three graduate level recitals.
1966 Organ study with Dr. Hans Dietz and Freida Deicow, UT Austin; Organist for Hyde Park Baptist
Church. Apprentice piano rebuilder with George Whitby Restorations
1969 Organist, St. Phillip Presbyterian, Houston. Post Graduate Organ study with Dr. Robert Jones
at the University of Houston. Planned "Programs for the Young" series demonstrating the
versatility of the organ with discussion of organ construction, history and pipe sound
characteristics
1971 Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Galveston. Opened Pessarra Keyboard Arts - piano
service and restoration. Apprentice with WIlliam Butler, organ builder. Chairman, Music Dept.
Brazosport Community College. Recitals, accompaniment and other performance events during
this period
1974 Organist, First Methodist Church, Lake Jackson, TX . Purchased Rogers 925 3 manual 70
stop touring organ. Performances of the Major works of J.S. Bach in standard format and with
accompanying light shows. Accompanist for East Texas Chorale Christmas programs '74-'77.
1981 (Extended vacation) Organist, Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, USVI. Captain of
sailing charter yacht. Instructor in English honors classes at All Saints Cathedral School, USVI.
1985 Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Freeport TX. Owner, Keyboard Arts Piano Restoration
including dealer for Baldwin and Kawai pianos. Organ enlargement project mgr.
1991 Organist/Choirmaster, First Lutheran Church, Shreveport, LA. Produced festivals, recitals and
programs
1993 Organist and Music Coordinator for the annual tri-state Lutheran convention,
St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral, Shreveport, LA
1994 Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Freeport, TX. Family gifts. Operated Keyboard Arts -
piano tuning, restoration, consultation. Solo events, accompaniment for UIL and substitute or
interim organist for several other area churches.
ACTIVITIES 1998 FORWARD
1998 Organist, St. Matthew Lutheran Houston. Organist/Choirmaster, New organ project mgr. New
Carillon bell system project mgr. Produced many weddings, wedding policies, internet websites,
customary, seasonal concerts, Lenten concerts, pre-Christmas concerts and musical events.
Guest artist programs. Recordings of many works for organ, voice, instruments. Continued
association with Houston Chapter of The American Guild of Organists….produced The Pipeline
Newsletter, produced A.G.O. Website.
2003 to current date: Established KeyArts Piano of Houston. Residence in Clear Lake; Mfg. Custom
Organ Mirrors. Many recitals, one of which was at Westminster Methodist, Houston. Vocal/Organ
Music of the Christmas season. Weddings, seasonal music presentations. He is also accompanist
for The John McGhee Christmas "Messiah" presentation in Brazosport presented every other year.
Currently organist at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Houston. His many activities included
projects for a bell tower carillon and organ project to enlarge the current instrument to over 100
ranks and 4 manuals. He and his wife Kathy, specialized in creating and producing elegant
weddings at St. Matthew where definitive musical offerings were presented with musical forces
ranging from organ alone, professional soloists from Houston, orchestras and boy choirs. Many
musically and socially high profile weddings were performed over a 7 year period with in excess of
35,000 guests passing through the church doors.
Mr. Pessarra also instructs organists in the use and operations of Allen and other classical makes
of digital church organs. Mr. Pessarra also personally designs and builds custom organ mirrors
for organists throughout the U.S.A. His interest extends beyond the organ and piano to astronomy,
photography, and nutritional medicine.
In addition to organ studies, Anthony was fortunate to be associated with some of the foremost
writers and teachers on the subjects of religious and philosophical thought. He has an ongoing
interest in the philosophy of religion re mentors: Profs. Hartshorne and Whitehead, Kading,
Ginanscol and Santayana at UT Austin. Anthony and Kathy reside in the Clear Lake area of
Houston, Texas. Mr. Pessarra is available for dedications, organ consultation, instruction,
services and weddings.
KeyArts Piano.Organ of Houston is owned and operated by Anthony in the Clear Lake area and
sells Yamaha, Kawai, Hardman-Peck and other pianos. Anthony serves as publicity, web and
newsletter editor for The American Guild of Organists, Houston Chapter.
CURRENT POSITION, Overview
This church has an excellent performance venue in the culturally active and diverse Museum
District on South Main Street amidst a group of historic churches noted for their public musical
offerings and excellence in service music. An appearance as dedication recitalist was made by
Carlo Curley, arranged and promoted by Anthony. St. Matthew was selected for the 2005 closing
service by the A.G.O. Houston Chapter. Many of Houston's finest vocal and instrumental musicians
have performed at St. Matt including Dr. Daniel Shipman, trumpet, Leigh Shipman, soprano and
international personalities such as Melanie Holliday.
During Anthony's tenure there, this church has enjoyed a renewed flourishing musical presence in
the city in the years of 1998-2004. He provides alternate wedding venues for couples who are
non-members.
REFERENCES (Contact information on request)
GOALS
2006 Current interest and goals include a possible organist position in a supportive, interactive
collegial atmosphere of creativity and musical challenges. Activities and interests include but are
not limited to: Concert series promotion & production; Wedding outreach logistics and
coordination; recital series; organ & piano instruction; music outreach programs such as
"Concerts with a Cause"; Seasonal choral, solo vocal, instrumental programs for public as well as
worship service offerings. Promotional emphasis of music, Internet presence and
communications emphasizing music programs and congregational participation in and support for
appropriate events.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Emphasis is placed on the following:
1. Performance & improvisation ability
2. Solid social and interactive abilities
3. A wide range of organizational and office skills
4. Service playing and innovation
5. Dependability
SUMMARY OF PURPOSE
While musical activities and innovation have been many and varied in my current position at St.
Matthew Lutheran and other churches change for a broader context of musical endeavor comes to
the surface and is pointing toward a more comprehensive utilization of skills and abilities in '07.
For almost 10 years I have served St. Matthew as organist/music director with many
accomplishments as a result. Plans for the future include increased public performance
opportunities, teaching, service innovation and social extension into the Christian and musical
community.
With Warmest Regards,
C. Anthony Pessarra
3-07
Visit Anthony on the web and hear many of your favorites on the mp3 page.
Belgium for over 900 years and in Texas for over 100 years, Anthony was inspired from an early
age by music and family members with musical talents. There were many examples including
kapellmeisters and organists as well as fiddle players, folk and country singers, accountants and
lawyers.
Early musical studies started at age 3 1/2. At 7, he was accepted as a student of Ethel Clark, a
Julliard trained pianist and organist, and at age 9 began playing for local churches. As organist for
St. Paul's Episcopal church in Freeport, he was immersed in the Merbeck liturgy and plain chant.
Concurrently serving as organist at First Presbyterian Church, it was common that he ran three
blocks from St. Paul to First Presbyterian for the 11: 15 service.
These early years of church playing provided contact with the great music of the church including
Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Brahms, et al. Additionally, through association with music directors in
church and school settings, he became familiar with many fine examples of choral and solo
literature from Palestrina to contemporary. From this individual attention and direction there
developed a solid foundation of practice habits and musical standards that remain to this day.
He was fortunate at this age to be encouraged by Fr. Stanley Wilson, an Episcopal priest, to attend
church music seminars at the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, where he associated with
many outstanding musicians of national stature. This early exposure contributed significantly to
the introduction to and appreciation of the high professional standards that would serve as models
for his own dedication to excellence.
In addition to organ studies, several hours each day were devoted to piano practice and quickly
lead to opportunities as an accompanist for many different community musical events. At 14, he
was exposed to performances of Prof. Michael Schneider playing J. S. Bach on the St.-Johannis-
Kirche organ in Luneberg, Germany. Three of these works, the Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C
major, Toccata in F major, and the famous D minor Toccata and Fugue, particularly inspired and
motivated study and practice despite his music instructor's concern about their level of difficulty.
The audition performance of these three pieces eventually led directly to the award of a full four
year music scholarship.
For variety and fun during the teen years, he also played piano and guitar in a rock band, a jazz
ensemble and played various popular music styles and venues of the day including "battle of the
bands", proms, dances, weddings, parties, etc.- again, over the occasional criticism and raised
eyebrows of his music teacher!
The unavoidable approach of graduation forced considerations of the future options. In the senior
year he ceased lessons in piano and organ for about six months (for what was a well deserved
rest from formal training). However, he continued to play professionally for various churches and
events as well as maintaining a daily four hour practice schedule. After this hiatus and time to
consider all the available careers the decision was made to pursue a career in piano and organ
performance. That pursuit is an ongoing story and a never ending quest…..
EDUCATION AND CHRONOLOGICAL CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1946 Piano and organ lessons- Ethel Clark (Julliard).
1949 Organist, Fjrst Presbyterian and St. Pauls Episcopal Churches (weddings, funerals).
1954 Accompanist acappella choir, intermediate school/high school and UIL.
1955 Seminars at Seminary of the Southwest, Austin - first performance of Handle Messiah, Bach's
ltalian Concerto and the Brahms German Requiem.
1959 Piano and theory studies with Dr. William Decker (Eastman School) at Wharton Jr. College -
acappella choir accompanist.
1961 B.Mus. & M.Mus. Sam Houston University - Double majors english lit and philosoply. Dr. Harry
Mallard, Dr. John Paul, Dr. Robert Floyd, Dr. Page C. Long- organ/piano. Accompanist acappella
choIr & grand chorus - first performance Handel organ concerti with orchestra, R. Vaughn WIlliams
Hodie, vocal and instrumental accompaniments.
Premier performance of organ works by Vincent Persichetti for the composer 1965 Recipient of
the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Outstanding Musicianship Award for six undergraduate organ recitals
and three graduate level recitals.
1966 Organ study with Dr. Hans Dietz and Freida Deicow, UT Austin; Organist for Hyde Park Baptist
Church. Apprentice piano rebuilder with George Whitby Restorations
1969 Organist, St. Phillip Presbyterian, Houston. Post Graduate Organ study with Dr. Robert Jones
at the University of Houston. Planned "Programs for the Young" series demonstrating the
versatility of the organ with discussion of organ construction, history and pipe sound
characteristics
1971 Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Galveston. Opened Pessarra Keyboard Arts - piano
service and restoration. Apprentice with WIlliam Butler, organ builder. Chairman, Music Dept.
Brazosport Community College. Recitals, accompaniment and other performance events during
this period
1974 Organist, First Methodist Church, Lake Jackson, TX . Purchased Rogers 925 3 manual 70
stop touring organ. Performances of the Major works of J.S. Bach in standard format and with
accompanying light shows. Accompanist for East Texas Chorale Christmas programs '74-'77.
1981 (Extended vacation) Organist, Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, USVI. Captain of
sailing charter yacht. Instructor in English honors classes at All Saints Cathedral School, USVI.
1985 Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Freeport TX. Owner, Keyboard Arts Piano Restoration
including dealer for Baldwin and Kawai pianos. Organ enlargement project mgr.
1991 Organist/Choirmaster, First Lutheran Church, Shreveport, LA. Produced festivals, recitals and
programs
1993 Organist and Music Coordinator for the annual tri-state Lutheran convention,
St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral, Shreveport, LA
1994 Organist, First Presbyterian Church, Freeport, TX. Family gifts. Operated Keyboard Arts -
piano tuning, restoration, consultation. Solo events, accompaniment for UIL and substitute or
interim organist for several other area churches.
ACTIVITIES 1998 FORWARD
1998 Organist, St. Matthew Lutheran Houston. Organist/Choirmaster, New organ project mgr. New
Carillon bell system project mgr. Produced many weddings, wedding policies, internet websites,
customary, seasonal concerts, Lenten concerts, pre-Christmas concerts and musical events.
Guest artist programs. Recordings of many works for organ, voice, instruments. Continued
association with Houston Chapter of The American Guild of Organists….produced The Pipeline
Newsletter, produced A.G.O. Website.
2003 to current date: Established KeyArts Piano of Houston. Residence in Clear Lake; Mfg. Custom
Organ Mirrors. Many recitals, one of which was at Westminster Methodist, Houston. Vocal/Organ
Music of the Christmas season. Weddings, seasonal music presentations. He is also accompanist
for The John McGhee Christmas "Messiah" presentation in Brazosport presented every other year.
Currently organist at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Houston. His many activities included
projects for a bell tower carillon and organ project to enlarge the current instrument to over 100
ranks and 4 manuals. He and his wife Kathy, specialized in creating and producing elegant
weddings at St. Matthew where definitive musical offerings were presented with musical forces
ranging from organ alone, professional soloists from Houston, orchestras and boy choirs. Many
musically and socially high profile weddings were performed over a 7 year period with in excess of
35,000 guests passing through the church doors.
Mr. Pessarra also instructs organists in the use and operations of Allen and other classical makes
of digital church organs. Mr. Pessarra also personally designs and builds custom organ mirrors
for organists throughout the U.S.A. His interest extends beyond the organ and piano to astronomy,
photography, and nutritional medicine.
In addition to organ studies, Anthony was fortunate to be associated with some of the foremost
writers and teachers on the subjects of religious and philosophical thought. He has an ongoing
interest in the philosophy of religion re mentors: Profs. Hartshorne and Whitehead, Kading,
Ginanscol and Santayana at UT Austin. Anthony and Kathy reside in the Clear Lake area of
Houston, Texas. Mr. Pessarra is available for dedications, organ consultation, instruction,
services and weddings.
KeyArts Piano.Organ of Houston is owned and operated by Anthony in the Clear Lake area and
sells Yamaha, Kawai, Hardman-Peck and other pianos. Anthony serves as publicity, web and
newsletter editor for The American Guild of Organists, Houston Chapter.
CURRENT POSITION, Overview
This church has an excellent performance venue in the culturally active and diverse Museum
District on South Main Street amidst a group of historic churches noted for their public musical
offerings and excellence in service music. An appearance as dedication recitalist was made by
Carlo Curley, arranged and promoted by Anthony. St. Matthew was selected for the 2005 closing
service by the A.G.O. Houston Chapter. Many of Houston's finest vocal and instrumental musicians
have performed at St. Matt including Dr. Daniel Shipman, trumpet, Leigh Shipman, soprano and
international personalities such as Melanie Holliday.
During Anthony's tenure there, this church has enjoyed a renewed flourishing musical presence in
the city in the years of 1998-2004. He provides alternate wedding venues for couples who are
non-members.
REFERENCES (Contact information on request)
GOALS
2006 Current interest and goals include a possible organist position in a supportive, interactive
collegial atmosphere of creativity and musical challenges. Activities and interests include but are
not limited to: Concert series promotion & production; Wedding outreach logistics and
coordination; recital series; organ & piano instruction; music outreach programs such as
"Concerts with a Cause"; Seasonal choral, solo vocal, instrumental programs for public as well as
worship service offerings. Promotional emphasis of music, Internet presence and
communications emphasizing music programs and congregational participation in and support for
appropriate events.
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Emphasis is placed on the following:
1. Performance & improvisation ability
2. Solid social and interactive abilities
3. A wide range of organizational and office skills
4. Service playing and innovation
5. Dependability
SUMMARY OF PURPOSE
While musical activities and innovation have been many and varied in my current position at St.
Matthew Lutheran and other churches change for a broader context of musical endeavor comes to
the surface and is pointing toward a more comprehensive utilization of skills and abilities in '07.
For almost 10 years I have served St. Matthew as organist/music director with many
accomplishments as a result. Plans for the future include increased public performance
opportunities, teaching, service innovation and social extension into the Christian and musical
community.
With Warmest Regards,
C. Anthony Pessarra
3-07
Visit Anthony on the web and hear many of your favorites on the mp3 page.