Susan Ferré currently lives in her mother’s ancestral home of Gorham, NH, where she directs a non-profit organization, Music in the Great North Woods (www.musicgnw), bringing classical music to the North Country. She serves St. Barnabas Episcopal Church as Organist and Director of Music. She has maintained an active concert career, having performed widely in Europe, including three visits to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Scandinavia, Brazil, Canada, and throughout the United States.
She has served the faculties of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology, University of North Texas and the University of Paris at Vincennes. For more than twenty years Miss Ferré directed the Texas Baroque Ensemble, which brought distinction to performances of little known works on original instruments, and for fourteen years directed an Early Music Weekend at Round Top, TX. She holds degrees from Texas Christian University, the first to earn two simultaneous degrees with four majors (Philosophy, Music Lit, Music Theory and Church Music), and from the Eastman School of Music (MM in Music Lit and Organ Performance). A Fulbright Scholar, recipient of the Diplome d’Orgue et Improvisation from the Schola Cantorum in Paris, as well as the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from University of North Texas, Susan Ferré was honored with a Distinguished Alumna award from that university in 2001.Her recordings include “Stories From the Human Village: War and Peace,” recorded on an organ by Fritz Noack at the Episcopal School Dallas, which has received glowing critical reviews as well as a Gold GrIndie Award. A Gothic release entitled, “Preludes and Postludes for the year beginning 9/11” was recorded on the Paul Fritts organ at Pacific Lutheran University. In addition, a 1969 recording of works by Langlais recorded at Ste. Clotilde in Paris, entitled, “Hommage a Jean Langlais” has been reissued. Other recordings include Vierne at the Detroit AGO convention, a CD with the Turtle Creek Chorale at the Meyerson Symphony Hall in Dallas, as well as several live concerts from organ dedications. They can be accessed through her website: www.susanferre.org. Recent quotes:Regional Convention, AGO”…Susan Ferre provided both hilarity and pointed political commentary in narrating her survey of varied repertoire. Her expressivity and expansiveness garnered a standing ovation.” Gerald Frank, The American Organist (October 2007)
CD Review of “Stories From the Human Village: War and Peace”–
“This delightful recording demonstrates both the musical and the literary talents of Susan Ferré….Susan Ferré is to be commended for her creativity in exploring new ways to present organ literature. By connecting organ music with human events (fictional or otherwise), it becomes relevant to new audiences. It is an effective way of introducing the organ and its literature to young and old alike. This would be an excellent tool for use by AGO chapters, schools, and others looking to win new friends for the organ.” –James Hildreth, The American Organist (January 2009)
“The performance was gripping with a virtuoso realization by Susan Ferré… beautifully polished and richly expressive.” –Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, (March 2009)
Recent Comments