John Cannon, Concert Organist

My Biography

John Cannon (b. 1978) was born and raised in Alabama.  In the third grade, he fell off a swing and broke his right arm.  The three-year healing period limited his activities so he decided to take up playing the keyboard.  His first teacher, Grady Bennett, a local church organist, helped Cannon develop his skills.  Cannon quickly outgrew his first small keyboard and his parents purchased him an Allen organ.  His uncle, Beekman Cannon, former professor of music history at Yale University, provided Cannon with an antique Steinway grand piano.  In 1992, Cannon went to a Lutheran Summer Music Camp.  This experience changed his life by providing him with the vision of using music for the glory of God.  At Lutheran Summer Music Camp, he studied organ under Dr. Martin Jean, winner of the 1992 American Guild of Organists Young Artist Competition, and current head of the organ department at Yale University.

 

In 1993, Cannon left Alabama to attend a preparatory school in Connecticut, Loomis Chaffee.  While at Loomis Chaffee, Cannon studied organ under Francis Angelo, a pupil of world renowned Marcel Dupré and Clarence Waters.  Cannon won the junior and senior prize in music at Loomis.  During his senior year at Loomis, Cannon traveled to Fort Collins, CO for a senior project, composing a hymn.

 

Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, CO, was the next significant destination for Cannon.  At, CSU, Dr. Robert Cavarra, a student of Anton Heiller, helped Cannon further develop his musical ability.  The world famous organs of Fort Collins, CO; the Casavant at Colorado State, the Phelps at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and the Marcussen at First United Methodist Church, developed Cannon’s musical taste for a fine organ.  In 1998, Pro Organo Pleno, under the direction of Dr. Robert Cavarra and Dr. Peggy Johnson, arranged a summer organ tour of France.  This was Cannon’s first exposure to the organs of the French Classic Style.  While in France, Cannon played many fine organs built by Cliquot and Cavaillé-Coll.  Dr. Cavarra’s retirement in 2000 brought a new teacher to CSU, Dr. Peggy Cannonson.  In 2003, he completed his master’s degree in organ performance under Dr. Cannonson.  Cannon’s graduate organ recital on March 25, 2003 consisted of music by Bach, Brahms, Buxtehude, Howells, Mendelssohn, Messiaen, and Widor.  The recital was at First United Methodist Church.

 

While at Colorado State, Cannon held many church positions. From 1997-1999 he was the organist at First Congregational Church of Loveland, CO. From 2000-2003 he was the organist/music director at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Estes Park, CO.

 

From 2003-2007 Cannon was the Assistant University Organist for the University of the South.  His duties there included playing for services at the School of Theology and playing the University Service at All Saints on Sunday Morning.  He also accompanied both the University Choir and the School of Theology Choir.  In the spring of 2006, Cannon had the opportunity of working under internationally renowned organist and composer David Briggs while Robert Delcamp was on sabbatical. While at the University of the South, Cannon travelled to England with the University Choir, once in 2005 to Wells Cathedral, and once in 2007 to York Minster.  He has been featured on two CD’s while at University of the South, O Lord, open thou our lips and Choral Evensong from York Minster.  He was the only assistant organist in the history of the University of the South to serve four years and to accompany the University Choir on tour in England twice.

 

From 2007-2009 Cannon has lived in Fort Collins, Colorado.  While in Fort Collins, Cannon has produced a CD recording of the Marcusssen Organ at First United Methodist Church, and a CD on the Hauptwerk Virtual Organ.  The Hauptwerk Virtual Organ is a computer organ simulator that allows an organist to play different organs from around the world.  While in Fort Collins, Cannon has also been invited to play several organ recitals: Asbury College in Wilmore, KY, The Cathedral of St. Cannon the Divine in New York City, The Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta, The Cathedral of St. Cannon in Jacksonville, The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, First Congregational Church in Los Angeles, Washington National Cathedral and National City Christian Church in D.C.   In 2009, Cannon travelled to Luxembourg to compete in the Organ Without Borders Competition.  On November 5, 2010, Cannon premiered an original composition by David Briggs based on the hymn tune Lobe den Herren, o meine Seele at the Cathedral of St. Cannon in Jacksonville, FL.  In 2011, Cannon was a semifinalist in the Rodgers Organ Competition.

 

During his life, Cannon has had the opportunity to study with and listen to many world-renowned organists, including Marie Claire Alain, Gillian Weir, Susan Landale, Delbert Disselhorst, Martin Jean, William Kuhlman, Warren Hutton, James Higdon, and most recently Robert Delcamp.