James Kealey is appointed associate director of music/organist at Third Presbyterian Church, Rochester, New York, where he will work alongside director of music/organist, Peter DuBois. Kealey will share in service playing, accompanying, and some conducting of the 60-voice Chancel Choir. His primary areas of responsibility will be in growing the children’s choir program, which has been a ministry of the congregation for nearly 70 years, as well as supervising and conducting ensembles within the handbell program.
Kealey recently completed his Master of Music degree at the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, in the studio of David Higgs. A native of the UK, his earlier studies were at Royal Holloway of the University of London, where he served as organ scholar, working with Rupert Gough. He subsequently was senior organ scholar/second assistant organist at Wells Cathedral and interim assistant director of music at Sheffield Cathedral before coming to the United States to study. He has also studied with David Briggs and participated in masterclasses led by Michel Bouvard, Reneé Anne Louprette, and Simon Johnson. Prior to joining the staff at Third Church, Kealey served as minister of music at the Church of the Ascension, Rochester, and most recently was a semi-finalist in the 2020 American Guild of Organists NYACOP, which was cancelled along with the AGO national convention, due to the pandemic.
For information: https://www.thirdpresbyterian.org/staff/james-kealey/.
Other recent appointments:
Brent L. Neuenschwander to First Presbyterian, Fort Wayne
