On December 1, THE DIAPASON appointed Andrew Schaeffer as editor-at-large. In this position, he will assist with editing, proofreading, writing, and digital media.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Andrew began organ study with David Christiansen when he was 11 years old. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree in church music from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota, where he was a pupil of John Ferguson. He also holds the Master of Music degree from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music where he studied with organ performance with Thomas Murray and improvisation with Jeffrey Brillhart. Schaeffer is currently a Doctor of Musical Arts candidate at the University of Oklahoma where he studies organ with John Schwandt and choral conducting with Richard Zielinski. His dissertation, “The Scottish Rite Pipe Organ in the United States from 1900-1930,” will examine the role of the pipe organ in American Freemasonry in the context of the pipe organ boom of the early twentieth century.
Schaeffer will remain the director of music and organist at the 2,700-member First United Methodist Church of Edmond, Oklahoma, a position he has held since 2014. There, he directs two adult choirs, three children’s choirs, a small chamber orchestra, and plays organ for three Sunday morning services. He is also currently serving a term as the dean of the Oklahoma City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Andrew is married to Jenny, a registered nurse, and they make their home in Oklahoma City.
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