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Born 1956 in Bergheim/Erft, Germany. First piano and musical theory lectures from Hermann Kraeling. From 1967 on music school of the „Regensburger Domspatzen“.
1973-1976 Liturgical music studies at the Aachen Conservatory. During this time first position as organist at the Nikolaus church Aachen. 1977-1980 conductor of the student chamber orchestra Aachen. 1978 foundation of the „Cappella Cantica“ church choir.
1976-1983 church musician at St.Sebastian church, Nettetal-Lobberich, Germany.
1983-2000 organist of the Papal Basilica St. Mary in Kevelaer, Germany, with its large Seifert organ (128 stops, 4 manuals). Artistical work as conductor of choirs and orchestras, pedagogue and composer.
1989-1992 head of an organ class for improvisation and liturgical organ playing at the State Music Conservatory Stuttgart (Hochschule fuer Musik und Darstellende Kunst, Stuttgart).
1992-2000 in same function at the Robert-Schumann Conservatory in Duesseldorf.
1995 he was named honorary professor.
Since October 2000 professor for improvisation and liturgical organ playing at the University of Arts, Berlin.
2002 asked by Cardinal Sterzinski to join the arch bishop`s church music commission in Berlin.
Since 2003 Vice Chairman of the Conference of Leaders of the Catholic Conservatories for Church Music in Germany ("Konferenz der Leiter katholischer Ausbildungsstaetten fuer Kirchenmusik in Deutschland").
2004 he was named Titulary Organist of the Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedaechtnis-Kirche in Berlin.
In 2006 he was engaged to compose a Missa Solemnis "Tu es Petrus" for Grand Orchestra, Choir and Organ for Pope Benedikt XVI´s 80th birthday. World premiere in Saint Hedwig Cathedral, Berlin, on April 15th 2007, first perfomance in St. Peter´s Dome, Rome, on October 10th 2007.
Full score (appr. 130 pages) available at Dr. J. Butz-Verlag, St. Augustin/Germany - www.butz-verlag.de).
A first CD recording has been released by lable Spektral (see on this page under CDs and www.spektral-records.de).
Numerous compositions for choir, organ and chamber music and various publications about organ building and organ improvisation.
National, European and non-European Radio and TV productions as well as dozens of CD recordings.
Co-founder and head of the annual International Altenberg Organ Academy for Improvisation.
Extensive concert performings all over Europe, in the USA and Japan. Juror at numerous international organ competitions.
Guest lecturer for improvisation and concerts at International festivals and academies. Invitations to International Organ Academies of the AGO (American Guild of Organists) USA.
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