Christopher Caruso-Lynch — an accomplished conductor and organist who is currently artist-in-residence at Madeleine Choir School in Salt Lake City — has been named director of music at L.A.’s St. James’ in-the- City, the Wilshire Center parish announced May 19.
“I am so very thrilled to announce that Christopher Caruso-Lynch has accepted this position and will be joining us starting in July,” said the Rev. Dr. Kate Cress, rector. “I thank the members of the search committee for their tireless efforts: Mary Nichols, Alex Siegers, Alex Schroeder, Susie McDermid, Luke MacFarlane, Jose Zambrana, Tom Balamaci, John Peterson, and Nancy Sulahian.”
In interviewing various applicants and finalists, the search committee sought a candidate whose gifts and skills are ideally matched to the multicultural parish’s liturgical life as well as the renowned Great Music at St. James’ program, together with care for the John David Falconer memorial pipe organ, one of the region’s most significant instruments.
“Here’s to a beautiful new era of sacred music making here at St. James in-the- City,” Cress said. “We are deeply blessed!”
In a message to the parish, Caruso-Lynch said, “I am beyond thrilled to take up the post of director of music at St. James’ in-the-City. During my visit I so enjoyed meeting members of the congregation, working with your outstanding choir, and learning more about this community from your wonderful clergy. Most of all, I loved being in church with you!
“It’s my great honor to follow James Buonemani and to benefit from his incredible work at St. James’, and I’m grateful to Bruce Neswick for shepherding you through this transition,” he added. “My wife, Astrid, my daughter, May, and I are so excited to be with you all soon. I look forward to helping write the next chapter of great music at St. James’ together with you all!”
In announcing the appointment, the parish posted this biographical information:
“Christopher Caruso-Lynch is an organist, conductor, and church musician whose work has distinguished him as one of the leading voices of his generation in the field of church music. Christopher was a boy treble in his native North Carolina, and at the American Boychoir School. Since then, he has appeared as a singer, organist, and conductor in major cathedrals, parishes, and concert halls around the world.
“Currently, Christopher is Artist in Residence at the Madeleine Choir School, Salt Lake City, Utah, where he trains choristers for Masses, concerts, and tours, and conducts the choir of men and boys, and men and girls. Previously, Christopher was Canon & Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis. Prior to his appointments in Utah and Indiana, he held Assistant Organist positions at Christchurch Cathedral, New Zealand, Trinity Cathedral, Portland, St. Mark’s Cathedral, Shreveport, Trinity Church, Bloomington, and was Organ Scholar at St. Paul’s, K Street, Washington D.C.
“Christopher served on the organ faculty of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University teaching courses in church music. He studied organ performance and early music at Indiana University, where his teachers included Janette Fishell, Bruce Neswick, Jeffrey Smith, Christopher Young, and Elisabeth Wright. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana and is a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists.
“As a conductor, Christopher has led a wide range of oratorios with both modern orchestras and period-instrument ensembles. Recent highlights have included Haydn’s Creation with the Choir of the Cathedral of the Madeleine and members of the Utah Symphony, and Bach’s St. John Passion with the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, which he conducted from the harpsichord.
“Christopher has performed extensively as a concert organist and accompanist. Solo recitals have taken him throughout the United States and New Zealand, and he has served as organ accompanist for a week-long residency at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.”