John Edward Sittard, Church Musician
Biography
John Sittard, a native of Massachusetts, received the Bachelor of Music degree in Organ Performance, as well as the prestigious Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Mr. Sittard continued his studies at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music at Bloomington, earning the Master of Music degree in Organ in 1993 and continuing post-graduate studies in organ and choral conducting until 1995. In July of that year, John was appointed Assistant Organist at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, where he played for internationally televised liturgies and assisted Dr. Leo Nestor in conducting the Choir of the Basilica, as well as day to day operations of a large and active music program of national stature. From 1997-2000, he served as Director of Music of the Cathedral of St. Paul in Worcester, Massachusetts, conducting the semi-professional Cathedral Festival Singers, overseeing the renovation and expansion of the cathedral's two pipe organs, and serving as Co-Program Chair and as an artist for the 1999 Region I Convention of the American Guild of Organists. He also coordinated and directed the music for a nationally televised memorial service at which President Clinton, Vice-President Gore, and the Massachusetts Congressional delegation were in attendance. From 2000-2007, he lived in Columbus Indiana, and served as Director of Music of North Christian Church and as Director of the University Choir at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. John comes to St. Hugo's from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where he was Director of Music at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and directed several choirs, administered the Cathedral Music Series, and was diocesan musical consultant. Mr. Sittard has been heard in concert and liturgy throughout the United States, Great Britain, and Scotland. An active composer, he has published liturgical and choral music for CanticaNova Publications (www.canticanova.com.) He has recorded a CD featuring the organs of the Cathedral of St. Paul (Worcester, MA), and appears on the Great Organs of Worcester CD, produced by the Worcester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Both are available through the Organ Historical Society at www.ohscatalog.org. He is married to Siegrid Marks Sittard, who is a professional soprano and voice teacher at the Cranbrook School. They have a son, Luke, who is an aspiring jazz guitarist. |