Ken Cowan has been named organist and artist-in-residence of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas. Cowan will share service playing responsibilities at Palmer Church with Yuri McCoy, who has been named associate organist. The organists will work closely with Dr. Brady Knapp, Palmer’s director of music, assisting with and accompanying the parish choirs. Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, directly across Main Street from Rice University, has a thriving choral music program for children and adults, and is affiliated with the RSCM. The church has a three manual, 62-rank Fisk organ, which has had tonal enhancements made by Manuel Rosales.
Ken Cowan is associate professor of organ at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, where he is head of the organ and church music program. Prior to his appointment to the Rice University faculty, he was associate professor of organ at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. Previous church positions have included associate organist and artist-in-residence at St. Bartholomew’s Church in New York City. Cowan maintains an active concert schedule under the management of Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc. His solo recordings are available on the JAV, Raven, and Pro Organo labels.
Yuri McCoy is a DMA candidate in organ performance at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice, where he studies with Ken Cowan. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in piano performance at Marshall University and University of Hawaii, respectively, and a master of music degree in organ performance from Rice this May. During his years in Honolulu, McCoy was organ scholar under Canon Precentor John Renke at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Honolulu. He previously served as director of music and organist at Church of the Holy Comforter in Angleton, Texas.
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