BARBARA A. MASTERS pianist, organist, church musician, educator

Barbara A. Masters has had an extensive career as a performer, church music director, organist, educator, musical theater director and composer. She is on the piano and organ faculty at Elmhurst University. Ms. Masters has performed concerts in the U.S. and abroad, most recently with the Visitation Choir at Notre Dame in Paris, in Rome and Assisi. Ms. Masters’ training includes 2 years in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan, piano study with Reid Nibley and conducting with Elizabeth Greene;  B.Mus in Piano from Boston University with study under Alfred Kanwischer,  Bela Nagy and Maria Clodes;  M.A Brown University in Ethnomusicology under Bonnie C. Wade and Fredric Lieberman; M.Mus in Organ Performance at Youngstown State under Dr. Ronald Gould and harpsichord study with Marcelline Hawke. She holds a Colleague Certificate from the American Guild of Organists.  Ms. Masters lives in Elmhurst with her husband Andy and has 3 grown sons and 5 grandchildren.

Artist Summary:

Barbara Masters specializes in creating recital programs that appeal to all ages and many tastes in music.  Her wide range of life experiences including theater and education combine as she presents fascinating programs that inspire a sense of beauty and possibility.  Concerts are always “family friendly.”  Recent programs have included works of Brahms, Bach, Scarlatti, Villa Lobos, Debussy, Widor, Bonnet as well as crowd pleasers such as selections from Star Wars and the light-hearted Rex the King of instruments which includes a narrated explanation of the pipe organ.  Ms. Masters will create program notes for each concert and works closely with the presenters to create colorful and engaging publicity materials.

Professional Organizations:

Ms. Masters is active in the Fox Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists where she recently served a term as Dean.