Steven Peterson is 21-year-old Interim Organist/Choir Director at St. Clare Roman Catholic Church. Peterson plays classical and Christian music performing at regular masses, weddings and funerals. He has lived in Queens, New York his whole life so in some sense, Steven started in the place where many imagine as their goal. Peterson first started playing the organ my sophomore year of high school, before that he had always played the piano and he has been singing since his second grade.
When asked to elaborate how he started to play the organ, Peterson explained that he “got the opportunity when the music director at my church couldn’t make it to a choir practice and asked if I could cover for him by playing the organ (that was the first time I played the organ) He said you don’t have to use the pedals but I figured out how to play them as I went along. That summer I decided to go to church every day to teach myself how to play the organ. The end of that summer when the music director went on vacation I got my first opportunity to play masses. A few years later I was hired as an organist and that’s how I got to where I am today.”
Peterson is a full time musician but also fixes computers on the side. He is also a student at Pace University, studying computer science. It’s makes me believe that NYC allows us to accomplish all that want, as long as we put the effort in. Peterson expresses, “NYC has made my organ playing career a whole lot easier since there are so many churches in the 5 boroughs. I wouldn’t have gotten all of these opportunities if I didn’t live here in NY. There are opportunities to play the organ in other places outside of NY but they are far fewer than what we have here. What distinguishes the NY music scene from others is that there are so many different types of organ and so many different places where they have organs (other churches, theaters, etc.). The variety is here unparalleled.
When I asked Peterson if he thought his music style is different because of NYC he said, “No I don’t think that it affected my music style or selection. In church, classical and Christian music are standard. The only difference would vary by the type of congregation, but you have that in NYC too. Every church is different.”
Peterson has not played the organ outside of a church setting. However, he has played the piano outside of a church setting for my school chorus at concerts. He also explained that the biggest difference between the organ and the piano is the dynamics and the sound, “I think an organ has a more soothing tone.” Finally when asked about writing his own pieces, Peterson respond, “I’ve written one piece but I haven’t been able to get it published.” Hopefully he will be able to soon, best of luck!
Here are some links to hear Steven Peterson play the organ:
Festive Trumpet Tune:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202130157869705&l=7162161001114488732
Here I Am:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1545017339630&l=3286053625843627639
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