Stephen Buzard is one of the leading organists of his generation, serving as Director of Music at historic St. James Cathedral in downtown Chicago. His playing is both thoughtful and heartfelt, dazzling audiences with his technique and engaging programming.

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Stephen Buzard offers organ concerts, masterclasses, and choral workshops. Please visit the contact page for inquiries.



Stephen Buzard grew up in a household filled with organ music. His father is the president and founder of Buzard Pipe Organ Builders, and his mother is an Episcopal organist and choirmaster. Buzard attended Westminster Choir College where he studied organ performance with virtuoso Ken Cowan. During this time, Buzard recorded his first solo album "In light or darkness" and won the prestigious Arthur Poister Competition.

 

After graduation, Buzard became senior organ scholar at Wells Cathedral in the UK where he accompanied for daily choral services and assisted in the training of the boy and girl choristers. He returned to the United States to study with Thomas Murray at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.

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In 2013, Buzard became Assistant Organist at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue in New York City. Following the tragic death of Director of Music John Scott, Buzard became Acting Organist and Director of Music, leading the church's world-renowned choir of men and boys.

 

In 2016, Buzard was called to St. James Cathedral in Chicago, following in the footsteps of Dudley Buck, Clarence Dickinson, and Leo Sowerby. In addition to maintaining the church's excellent musical heritage, he founded a chorister program for boys and girls and an organ scholarship to train the next generation of church musicians. His career was highlighted in the AGO monograph series "The Making of an Organ Virtuoso."

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Mr. Buzard is under exclusive management of Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc.

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