Bryan Lohr is a native of Stoystown, Pennsylvania and one of America’s most distinguished young organists. Bryan’s early studies on the instrument began in Somerset, PA with Randy Fagan and continued at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh with Jason Kissel and John Walker. Bryan holds a bachelor of music degree from the Juilliard School where he studied with John Weaver and Paul Jacobs, and a master of music degree from Carnegie Mellon University where he studied with Donald Wilkins. Bryan is also the first organist to have received the prestigious Artist Diploma from Carnegie Mellon.
While living as a student in New York City, Bryan served as organist and director of music at First Church of Religious Science, then meeting each week at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. After returning to Pennsylvania, Bryan worked for 11 years in the United Church of Christ (UCC,) serving on the board of director’s of the UCC Musician’s National Network and as organist for the 29th and 30th General Synods of the UCC, playing for audiences of up to 5,000 in Long Beach, California and Cleveland, Ohio. He was also a featured performer on the UCC’s unprecedented recording of the entire New Century Hymnal, available from The Pilgrim Press.
About Bryan
In September of 2016, Bryan was appointed Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Cumberland, Maryland, where he leads a dynamic music program, playing weekly one of the finest organs in western Maryland.
As a performer, Bryan travels frequently across the United States and has appeared in venues sponsored by the American Guild of Organists, the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, and some of America’s most prominent organ recital series. He has also appeared as an organist with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of the Alleghenies, and The Bach Choir of Pittsburgh.
As a collaborative artist, Bryan is one of the most sought-after accompanists in western Pennsylvania, serving as the choral accompanist for the Inclined To Sing Children’s Chorus of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, the Johnstown Symphony Chorus, and Rodoljub, the oldest Croatian vocal ensemble in America, based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Aside from music, Bryan is an insatiable reader and avid traveler. He has also been active as a leader in numerous civic and charitable organizations throughout western Pennsylvania and coaches a high school speech and debate team.
