![[IMAGE]](richard.jpg)
Richard van Auken
RICHARD van AUKEN and wife Evelyn have life long careers as concert organists and pianists. Richard, as a Teacher, Clinician, and Consultant served as Artist and Teacher in the Music Department at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for 28 years. He was also a visiting instructor at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. Richard began piano at 11, organ at 13 and became the organist at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Keller's Pennsyvania shortly after he started organ lessons.
Richard served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, then studied at the Philadephia Conservatory of Music with Dr. Robert Elmore. His piano teachers include Eleanor Sokoloff of the Curtis Institute, Susan Starr, Keneth Armada and Natalie Honduras. He has authored piano pedagogy treatises which have been published by the American Piano Teachers Association and has recorded several albums of organ music.
Richard has performed to rave reviews at the Longwood Gardens near Philadelphia and at the Washington, DC National Cathedral. He was honored to serve as a consultant and musical coach for the New York City Ballet's 2001 season at Lincoln Center. Richard has enjoyed Theater Organ playing for many years and considers it a delightful avocation. It is a totally different world from the classical organ music world for which he is so well known. Richard has performed several times on behalf of our Binghamton Theater Organ Society. The August 12th date will be his first show which is entirely his. Richard has also given exceptional master classes for our local and many surrounding American Guild of Organists chapters to overwhelming success. He and Evelyn enjoy their non-retirement immensely.