JOHN STANSELL came to First Church as interim organist in 1987 and took the position permanently the following year. In 1995, after he was recommended by his predecessor, Richard Vogt, he assumed the position of Director of Music. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, where he began his organ studies with Peter Fyfe, he came to New York to study under Vernon deTar at The Juilliard School. He holds Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from that institution, where he also studied with Leonard Raver. He was organist/choir director of the United Methodist Church of Port Washington, L. I., from 1967 to 1986. Dr. John is known as a concert organist in Europe, particularly in Germany where he tours annually. He has two CD recordings to his credit, Mendelssohn & Co., and Mendelssohn - Six Sonatas for Organ, which were recorded in Frankfurt.

Home Page