Andrew Pester, a native of Dayton, Ohio, is an organist, composer, and musicologist. As an organist, he has performed across the United States and in Europe. In addition to his solo appearances, he has performed extensively in collaborative endeavors, including as continuo organist with the renowned renaissance wind band, Piffaro. As a writer, his scholarly reviews have been published by Cambridge University Press in the journal 19th Century Music Review. Additionally, he has written liner notes for commercial recordings on the Raven and Pro Organo labels.
As of this publication, Dr. Pester is Associate Director of Music & Organist at Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC. At Providence UMC he assists with the daily operations of a large music program consisting of ten vocal and handbell ensembles for all ages and serves as the director of the children’s music program. He is also the principal organist for services at the church.
Dr. Pester is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music (B.M.), Yale University (M.M., M.A. in Religion), and Duke University (Ph.D.). His primary teachers include Profs. Hans Davidsson, William Porter, Martin Jean, Jeffrey Brillhart, and Robert Parkins. He earned his doctoral degree in historical musicology with a dissertation titled “L’orgue fantastique: Imagination in the Organ Lofts of Paris, 1918-1939.” (Dr. Philip Rupprecht, advisor.)
