Dear Friends:

I write to let you know that Bruce Neswick has accepted an appointment at Indiana University, where he will assume the tenure-track position of Associate Professor of Music – organ teaching, which will include improvisation; liturgical planning and playing; and keyboard skills. Bruce will coach student organists and conductors. He will also participate in the school’s various committee and department work.

In the summer of 2008, Bruce Neswick, a great talent in the field of organ performance, composition, improvisation, and choral conducting, left the Cathedral of Saint Philip in Atlanta to join us as our new Director of Cathedral Music and Organist. Bruce had only a few months to get us ready for the Rededication service that took place on November 28 that year. That was Advent, and the newly cleaned and restored Cathedral required a lot of its new Director. It was a challenge Bruce met with dedication and attention to detail.

We completed the national search that led us to Bruce as we were anticipating the return of the Great Organ, which had been covered in soot and smoke during the December 2001 fire. First built in 1911 by Ernest M. Skinner, and then enlarged and rebuilt in 1954 by G. Donald Harrison of The Aeolian Skinner Organ Company, this precious instrument is the singular product of two of America's foremost organ-builders. After the fire, it had to be silenced, dismantled, and carried off to Missouri to be cleaned and repaired, and then pipe by pipe put back into the huge lofts above the Great Choir.

In a relatively short period of time, Bruce Neswick has given that organ great voice. He brought in world-renowned organists for recitals, and enriched our services and celebrations with his own superb playing. Bruce has also strengthened our Choir of Girls, Boys and Adults and our liturgical music, and welcomed choirs from all over the world. He has become a respected colleague and part of the Cathedral’s musical history. It has been a delight to hear him play and a pleasure to work with him.

Bruce’s last Sunday with us will be July 31. On June 5, however, when we also pay tribute to our Choir as they begin “summer break,” we will celebrate Bruce’s ministry with us at the 11 o’clock service. Details will follow.

I will also soon outline an interim and search strategy that will lead us into the next chapter for Cathedral music. We learned a lot during our last search and in these last several years and know that great things are in store for the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, especially because of the ministry of Bruce Neswick!

So stay tuned!

Faithfully,
The Very Reverend Dr. James A. Kowalski
Dean