About Metropolitan
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Andrew Galuska
Minister of Music & Master Organist
313.875.7407 x336
agaluska@metroumc.org
Andrew Galuska is Minister of Music and Organist at the historic Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Detroit, Michigan. He has won prizes for organ performance and improvisation in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Texas. His teachers have included Berj Zamkochian, Stephen Martorella, Robert Bates, Clyde Holloway and has studied French organ literature with Daniel Roth and Olivier Latry. Mr. Galuska’s repertoire spans six centuries with a particularly strong affinity for the masters of French organ music. He is also a prolific composer.
Mr. Galuska is one of America’s brightest “Rising Stars” in organ improvisation. His active career as a solo and collaborative artist takes him throughout North America. He has preformed at Stanford University, Tufts University, Miami International University, Rhode Island College, University of Houston, University of Massachusetts, First Presbyterian Church - Houston, TX, the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul and the First Baptist Church in America – Providence, RI, St. Thomas Church, New York, NY. Mr. Galuska is frequently invited to appear at conferences sponsored by organizations such as the Organ Historical Society, the American Guild of Organists, the American Baptist Conference, the United Church of Christ Conference and the Blackstone Valley Historical Society. Mr. Galuska was selected to perform at the Organ Historical Society’s National Convention in 2005 in Southeastern Massachusetts where he presented Francis Poulenc’s Gloria and a set of organ improvisations with the choral ensemble Sine Nomine. In 2007 he was invited to perform at the American Guild of Organists Regional Convention where his recital was hailed as one of the most satisfying of the convention. Also at the convention he was awarded the Key to the City of Newport, Rhode Island for his performance. Mr. Galuska’s composition Windows for soloists, choir and organ will be premiered at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral’s Festival of Music in May of 2008. Also in 2008 he will premier his new organ transcription of Modest Mussorgskij’s Pictures at an Exhibition at Metropolitan Methodist Church in Detroit.
Mr. Galuska has recorded for the CD Pipes Rhode Island (RIAGO) where he plays four selections including an improvisation. A live performance from the National Convention of the Organ Historical Society in 2005 is available on CD (“Andrew R. Galuska at St. Anne’s RC Church,” Organ Historical Recordings).
Press Quotes
"I think that the single most audiophile-friendly track will turn out to be Andrew Galuska’s Stravinsky-flavored improvisation—very dynamic, with sharp rhythms.” - Wes Phillips Blog / Stereophile Magazine
“The player is Andrew Galuska – superb!” – John Marks / Stereophile Magazine
“To dedicate our new organ…Andrew Galuska…. gave a marvelous performance which included an improvised piece on a Norwich theme.” - Jane Helms, Norwich, VT UCC
“[Organ Historical Society Convention] … Sine Nomine with Andrew Galuska… The concert ended with a stunning performance of Poulenc's Gloria.” -Daniel Lemieux – Lemieux & Associates Pipe Organ Company
“[About Pipes Rhode Island CD]…. More familiar works include…Buxtehude’s delightful Prelude, Fugue & Chaconne in C (Andrew Galuska)… and – heavy hitter on the program – Cesar Franck’s Chorale No. 2, performed by Galuska on a 1950 Aeolian-Skinner…. A delightful program that I highly recommend to all organ connoisseurs.” – New Classik Reviews / Atlanta Audio Society
“Improviser Extraordinaire”…. – The Providence Journal
“Brilliant playing including improvisations…Wonderfully spirited performance…First-rate improvisations…It was truly awesome… A+ organist…Great enthusiasm…” – comments from colleagues and peers on Mr. Galuska’s performance at the 2007 AGO Region I convention.
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