BIOGRAPHY
Organist John W. W. Sherer has been hailed by critics as “a terrific musician, a pronounced virtuoso who plays with assurance, authority, and superb energy.” Reviewers have praised him for his “great creativity and élan” and proclaimed, “As usual, Sherer communicated both the demanding and subtle qualities of the program through utilizing both his remarkable virtuoso technique and his sensitive musical sense to serve the requirements of the music.” Dr. Sherer has performed hundreds of organ recitals throughout the United States, Japan, and England, including several for regional and national organist conventions.
An active church musician since 1980, Dr. Sherer is widely known as a musician who creates inspiring music with love and passion. He has been Organist and Director of Music for St. George’s Catholic Church in Cincinnati, Ohio; The Episcopal Church at Yale, New Haven, Connecticut; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Walnut Creek, California, St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, New York, New York and for Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois. At each church he has built vibrant, faithful and engaging music programs. During his twenty-eight-year tenure at Fourth Presbyterian Church he supervised the building of the 142 rank Quimby pipe organ and greatly expanded their choral, instrumental and concert offerings. He has led twelve choir tours, several within America, but also to Cuba, Guatemala, France, England, Scotland, Israel, Palestine, South Africa, and India. While in Chicago Dr. Sherer was featured in the book Bright Lights of the Second City as one of fifty prominent Chicagoans living with passion and purpose. Dr. Sherer is also featured on a YouTube video called “An Instrument the Size of a Building,” watched by more than 6 million people.
He currently serves as Organist and Director of Music at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, New York. This church, home to a 68 rank Skinner organ built in 1927, has an active music program with several choirs, and hosts many concerts each year. In addition, Dr. Sherer is a consultant for musical events in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and for clergy and musicians around the country on a variety of topics. He is an active member of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Anglican Musicians.
A native of Xenia, Ohio, Dr. Sherer is married to the Right Reverend Kara Wagner Sherer, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, New York. They have two wonderful daughters and have hosted numerous foreign exchange students. He enjoys yoga, tai chi, bicycling, gardening, painting, and anything related to the R.M.S. Titanic. He has studied organ with David Mulbury, Roberta Gary, Thomas Murray, and John Weaver and conducting with John Leman and Walden Moore. He received two bachelor’s degrees, in organ performance and choral music education, from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music. He earned two master’s degrees at Yale University, majoring in organ performance and art in religion, and received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance from the Juilliard School.