Dr. SharonRose Pfeiffer

SharonRose Pfeiffer is one of the organists at the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans, MA. Her performing career includes concerts throughout the U.S. and France, with highlights including the Washington National Cathedral, St. Thomas Church, New York City, La Basilique St. Sernin in Toulouse and the American Cathedral in Paris. She earned degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey (summa cum laude), and from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where she studied with the late Dr. David Craighead, and served as his teaching assistant.
Dr. Pfeiffer studied harpsichord under Mark Brombaugh and Arthur Haas, performing concerts with the Phoenix Chamber Orchestra, the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, and at the American Embassy in Paris.
The winner of a Fulbright grant, she studied in Toulouse under the late composer and organist Xavier Darasse. After a year of study, she was invited back by the French government to give a sponsored concert tour.

Dr. Pfeiffer has served as a church musician for over 45 years, with a particular interest in the development of children’s choirs. She served under the Bishop of Rochester as the Music Consultant for the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, and as Instructor of Organ and Harpischord at Nazareth College.

She can be heard with the Gloriae Dei Cantores on their psalmody recordings, Thou Art My Refuge, He Has Heard My Voice and His Love Endures Forever, Peace be with You: The Music of J.S. Bach, and on the Mystical Colors of Christ: Organ Music of Olivier Messiaen, as well as on her solo album, Illuminations.

Dr. James Jordan

James Jordan has performed as an organ accompanist and soloist throughout the United States and Eastern and Western Europe. Cited as performing both “authoritatively and sensitively” by the Boston Globe, and as a “superb performer” by American Record Guide, Dr. Jordan earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, studying with Robert Anderson. As a student of David Craighead, he received his Master’s Degree, Doctorate, and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He has published in the American Choral Review and was a contributing author to American Sacred Choral Music—An Overview and Handbook (Paraclete Press, 2001).

Dr. Jordan has done extensive work in Gregorian Chant as a member of the Gloriæ Dei Cantores Schola, studying under Dr. Mary Berry. He has also been featured on numerous Gloriæ Dei Cantores recordings as well as solo organ recordings, including Olivier Messiaen: The Mystical Colors of Christ with David Chalmers and SharonRose Pfeiffer.

About the Organ

Restored by Nelson Barden of Boston, the St. Cecilia organ at the Church of the Transfiguration, Orleans, MA is comprised of parts of twenty-seven different E.M. Skinner organs, and is the only surround-sound organ of this type in the world. As the church’s instrumental voice, the organ is integrally wed to the liturgy and to the art, encompassing the listener with sound It also allows its sounds to be specifically directed as to accompany the various liturgical actions taking place on the floor, as well as giving tremendous flexibility in concert. Consistent with the artwork in the Church, the rich variety of sounds and voices it can create give it the ability to “speak” a multitude of musical languages in prayer and praise to God. Learn more