Dr. Mark Miller

Organist, Pianist and Composer Extraordinaire

It is a great privilege to know Dr. Mark Miller (pictured here) for many years now. The first time I was introduced to one of his musical compositions was at a performance by the Triad Arts Ensemble under the direction of Virginia Johnston. Since Mark is not only a prolific composer, but a wonderful pianist and organist, it was an easy decision to engage him to be the organ soloist in our most recent Discovery Concert™ for American Public Television, Discover Saint-Saëns’ “Organ” Symphony.

If you have not viewed this public television program, it may be rented on Amazon.com for $1.99 by typing “George Marriner Maull” or “Discover Saint-Saens Organ Symphony” in the search bar. Are you a PBS affiliate station member? Watch it free now on PBS Passport! In this production, Mark not only plays the glorious organ passages featured in the Finale of Saint-Saëns’ “Organ” Symphony, but also shares a wonderful personal story about his very first position as an organist and choir master.

Mark, a remarkably kind and deeply spiritual person, believes that “Everyone is a child of God and that music can heal the world.” He is Professor of Church Music and Composer-in-Residence at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey; Lecturer in Sacred Music at Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music and Divinity School; and Artist-in-Residence at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Manhattan. A graduate of The Juilliard School and Yale University, Mark currently serves as Minister of Music at Christ Church in Summit, New Jersey. In his spare time (LOL), he also maintains a busy schedule of organ recital performances around the globe—most recently in Rome!

We are delighted to be featuring some of Mark’s choral and instrumental compositions on our upcoming concert on January 31^st at the Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 4 Waldron Avenue in Summit, New Jersey, 7:00 PM, entitled New Jersey Musical Mosaic. All of the composers featured on this program have a New Jersey connection. And just in case you may have developed an aversion to attending any concert that features living composers—due perhaps to a somewhat painful exposure to some of the more dissonant composers of the 20^th and early 21^st centuries—let me assure you that the composers featured on this program are all eminently listenable.

Other featured composers include Melissa Dunphy, Karen Siegel, and Dale Trumbore. Guest musical artists for the evening are Dr. Anne Matlack, leading New Jersey’s Harmonium Choral Society’s Chamber Singers, vocalist Julian Wamble, and cellist Terrance Thornhill. Mark Miller will be playing both the piano and the organ for the occasion. COME JOIN US! A dessert reception follows…

Click here for tickets (Adults @ $20; Seniors @ $15; Students age 10-22 @ $5)