NICHOLAS SCHMELTER

About

Regarded for his creative audience-appealing programming, NICHOLAS SCHMELTER (b. 1982) graduated in 2006 with a Master of Music degree in organ performance from Central Michigan University, where he studied with Dr. Steven Egler. He was awarded honors at CMU including a Graduate Fellowship, the Centralis Scholar Award, the School of Music Performance Scholarship, and the Presser Foundation Award. In addition to performing in venues throughout the USA, Nicholas made his European debut in 2019 with several subsequent recitals in Germany and Switzerland. In September 2022, he opened concert seasons in Italy and Germany: on September 11, he performed a program of eclectic repertory at the Abbazia di San Pietro (Modena, Italy) to open the Modena Organ Festival; on September 18, he performed an all-American program at the Matthäuskirche (Stuttgart, Germany) to open the “Internationalen Orgelkonzerte” series in its fifty-first year. A composer himself, Nicholas has commissioned and premiered new music by Moonyeen Albrecht, Carson Cooman, Robert Powell, Philip Rice, Bernard Wayne Sanders, Benjamin Teague, and others. A church musician since the age of sixteen, he offers private instruction and coaching, is a sought-after choral accompanist, and enjoys several musical partnerships, including Dual-Art, his piano-organ duo collaboration with pianist Tyler Kivel. His music has been broadcasted on Michael Barone’s radio program Pipedreams. Schmelter served as Director of Worship and Congregational Life at First Presbyterian Church of Caro, Michigan, from 2016-2023, where he utilized the unaltered Aeolian-Skinner organ and 1904 Steinway Model A piano in a warmly received series of community concerts, and he was recently appointed Kyrkomusiker in Vellinge-Månstorps församling in Skåne County, Sweden. He has served as Artist in Residence at Trinity Episcopal Church in Bay City, Michigan, and at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Flint, Michigan. He was appointed President of the Board of Directors of the Organ Media Foundation in September 2023. Click on the program dates that follow for recent select solo recital archives: March 6, 2020; October 8, 2021; December 4, 2021; December 5, 2021; December 12, 2022; July 29, 2022; September 11, 2022; September 18, 2022; and, November 4, 2022. Click among the next program dates for select Dual-Art recital archives: July 12, 2019; October 6, 2019; November 3, 2019; February 21, 2020; November 7, 2021; November 14, 2021; September 25, 2022; and, September 30, 2022.

Events

JUL. 14, 2014 - Solo Recital

Stora Hammars kyrka (Hollviken, Sweden); 18.00

JUL. 25, 2014 - Solo Recital

Södra Åkarps kyrka (Vellinge, Sweden); 19.00

AUG. 3, 2024 - Solo Recital

Lunds domkyrka (Lund, Sweden); 10.00

news

APR. 23, 2017

Nicholas Schmelter performed a solo recital at The First Church, Nashua, New Hampshire, as part of the First Music Concert Series, on April 23. Commenting on his use of the restored and expanded Anderson Memorial Organ, built by the Austin Organ Company, Joseph R. Olefirowicz, Minister of Music, said the following: "[...] as a recitalist: the best use and programming of a symphonic organ I have ever heard.  His Bach was a tour-de-force orchestral treatment of the genre, as if Bach wrote in this period.  The audience leapt to its feet at the end of the program."

JAN. 8, 2018

Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life, First Presbyterian Church, Caro, Michigan, performed the premiere of Philip Rice’s In Dulci Jubilo, written for organ, on the church’s Aeolian-Skinner instrument, at a noonday recital on Jan. 5, 2018. Rice (b. 1988) is a Michigan-based composer specializing in sacred music and artsong. He holds a DMA from Michigan State University and an MM with distinction from Westminster Choir College in Princeton. In 2015 he was a winner in the American Prize for orchestral composition and an ASCAP Morton Gould Award finalist. He currently serves as the Program Director for the Mackinac Arts Council.

JAN. 17, 2018

Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life, First Presbyterian Church, Caro, Michigan, is pleased to announce the commission of a new multi-movement composition for flute and organ based on three psalms texts by Dr. Moonyeen Albrecht (b. 1936).  Albrecht earned MM and DM degrees in theory and composition from Northwestern U. She taught among the music faculty at Central Michigan U. for thirty-eight years, maintaining additional responsibilities as a church organist.  Further biographical information about Albrecht is found in the academic dissertation of Laura Kellogg, U. of Oklahoma, 2016.  Albrecht’s earlier composition, Four Psalms for Flute and Organ, received prominence among contemporary output in the 80s, when Frances Shelley and Steven Egler commissioned the piece for the 1986 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists held in Detroit. The commissioned composition, written for Schmelter and duo collaborator, flutist Townes Osborn Miller, will receive its initial performances as part of the Friends of Music Series at the First Presbyterian Church (Caro, Mi.) and the Music in the Heart of the City Series at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church (Flint, Mi.), where Schmelter was recently named Artist in Residence for 2018-2019. In addition to Albrecht’s composition, Schmelter has commissioned and premiered new music by Robert Powell, Philip Rice, Bernard Wayne Sanders, and others.

FEB. 16, 2018

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Flint, Mi., Rev. Dan Sheid, rector, and Holly Richardson, director of music, announces the 2018-2019 artist-in-residence appointment of Nicholas Schmelter, performing three concerts as part of the new St. Paul’s Music in the Heart of the City series and supervising the commission of pieces by Moonyeen Albrecht and Edward Moroney written to highlight the four-manual, eighty-nine-rank Florence Whiting Dalton Memorial Pipe Organ. In addition to its cultural role in Genesee County, the parish community of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the heart of the City of Flint believes that its work in justice and mercy is central to its mission accomplished by providing for neighbors in need and working to transform the unjust structures of society through advocacy and education. 

MAR. 3, 2018

Tyler Kivel and Nicholas Schmelter commenced a Midwest tour of piano-organ duo recitals with a noonday performance on February 28 at First Presbyterian Church, Bay City (Michigan).  The ensemble has realized creative new orchestrations of selections by Anderson, Debussy, Grainger, Lutoslawski, Poulenc, Saint-Saëns, and Shostokovich. Upcoming venues include Alpena (Michigan), Flint (Michigan), Milwuakee (Wisconsin), London (Ontario), and other cities.  Among its goals, the duo aims to bring music to diverse demographics and rural communities, and to offer educational opportunities to collaborative artists and keyboard musicians. Chicago-based pianist Tyler Kivel is an active soloist, freelance performer, teacher, and chamber musician, including his faculty role at ChiArts and recent musical direction of Thrones! The Musical Parody. Kivel has earned several competition-based awards and will make his Carnegie Hall debut in April 2018. For information: schmelternick@hotmail.com or kiveltyler@gmail.com.

JUN. 27, 2018

Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life of the First Presbyterian Church of Caro, MI, hosted a Pedals, Pipes and Pizza event at the church for twenty-two participants on June 27 as part of the Caro Area District Library's summer reading program Libraries Rock! Event staff included Randi Dalton (Library Assistant), Susan Reim (Organist, First Presbyterian Church), Erin Schmandt (Library Director), and Nicholas Schmelter.

OCT. 20, 2018

Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life at First Presbyterian Church of Caro (Michigan) and artist in residence at Trinity Episcopal Church (Bay City, Michigan) and Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church (Flint, Michigan), completed an Upper Midwest organ concert tour of six performances in eight days on Thursday, October 18, 2018. He performed at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), First Congregational Church (Oshkosh, Wisconsin), Sacred Heart Music Center (Duluth, Minnesota), the Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis, Minnesota), the Church of St. Louis, King of France (St. Paul, Minnesota), and St. Clement’s Episcopal Church (St. Paul, Minnesota) beginning on October 10.  Not duplicating a single program, he performed pieces by Bach, Buck, Dupré, Dvořák Hebble, Krebs, Lemaigre, de Maleingreau, Mushel, Sowerby, Vierne, and Wright.

OCT. 21, 2018

Technician Jonathan Orwig has mastered a live recording from the October 15 recital at the Basilica of Saint Mary (Minneapolis, Minnesota) for archival purposes.

DEC. 30, 2018

Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life, First Presbyterian Church, Caro, Michigan, performed the premiere of Anna’s Carol, by Philip Rice, with mezzo Kathryn Wills Cole, a professional singer with degrees from Central Michigan University and Northwestern, now residing in Chicago, on December 30.  Rice, program director at the Mackinac Arts Council, is a prizewinning Michigan-based composer specializing in sacred music and song.

JAN. 12, 2019

Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life, First Presbyterian Church, Caro, Michigan, performed the premiere of Psalms for Flute and Organ (Set 2), by Moonyeen Albrecht, with flutist Townes Osborn Miller, on January 11. Composer Moonyeen Albrecht earned Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in theory and composition from Northwestern University. She taught among the music faculty at Central Michigan University for thirty-eight years, maintaining additional responsibilities as a church organist. Further biographical information about Albrecht is found in the academic dissertation of Laura Kellogg, U. of Oklahoma, 2016. Psalms for Flute and Organ (Set 2), written for Schmelter and Miller, is new multi-movement composition for flute and organ.

APR. 1, 2019

Nicholas Schmelter performed the premieres of Introduction and Toccata, Op. 1323, by Carson Cooman, and Mon Cher Ami (Danse-Intermezzo), by Edward Moroney, on March 31 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Flint, Michigan, where Schmelter serves as Artist in Residence.

NOV. 4, 2019

Pianist Tyler Kivel and organist Nicholas Schmelter – the duo All_Flash, No_Trash – completed an Upper Midwest Halloween-themed collaborative concert tour of five performances in ten days among Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin on Sunday, November 3, 2019.  

JAN. 7, 2020

Organist Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life at First Presbyterian Church of Caro (Michigan), made his European debut performing a seasonal recital – In Dulci Jubilo – Weihnachtliche Orgelmusik aus Amerika – of all American composers at the Katholische Kirchengemeinde St. Theresia, Stuttgart-Weilimdorf, Germany, on Friday, December 20, at 8:00 p.m. His program included compositions by Keith Chapman, John Cook, Richard Purvis, Leo Sowerby, and others, as well as his own arrangements of pieces by Leroy Anderson and Vince Guaraldi. Schmelter’s December 20 concert was also the first recital on St. Theresia’s 1960 Walcker organ. St. Theresia is one of the three communities making up the Catholic cluster of Stuttgart-Nordwest. Stefano Massera is the director of music.

FEB. 21, 2020

Following the performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 19, pianist Tyler Kivel and organist Nicholas Schmelter announced the new name of their piano-organ duo: Dual-Art. The Dual-Art ensemble is scheduled for several concerts during the 2020 season, including performances in Detroit, Milwaukee, and Toronto. With creative, dynamic programming, Kivel and Schmelter seek bookings for 2021.

JUN. 26, 2020

Tune in to Michael Barone’s Pipedreams 2028: Virtuous Virtual Virtuosos (II) the week of July 13. Several selections from Nicholas Schmelter’s concert performed in October 2018 at the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis, MN, are among the program. Follow this link (click here) to visit American Public Media’s Pipedreams.

DEC. 9, 2020

Concert organist Simone Gheller published the premiere recording of Nicholas Schmelter’s newest Christmas composition, “Variations on O du fröhliche”. Follow this link (click here) to visit Gheller’s YouTube channel.

JAN. 7, 2021

Brian Cash has commissioned Nicholas Schmelter to compose an organ work celebrating the anniversary of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the oldest Catholic parish in North Carolina. Established August 6, 1821, the parish was placed under the protection of Saint Patrick on February 4, 1824.

APR. 6, 2021

Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life, First Presbyterian Church, Caro, Michigan, is pleased to announce the commission of a new multi-movement composition for organ. Based on an American folk melody, “Pedal Variations on ‘Home on the Range’” is written by Welsh organist-composer Benjamin Teague. The commissioned variations, written for Schmelter, will receive initial public performances as part of the Friends of Music Series at the First Presbyterian Church. 2021-2022 events, adhering to rigorous COVID-19 hygienic protocols, will be announced in the coming months. In addition to Teague’s composition, Schmelter has commissioned and premiered new music by Moonyeen Albrecht, Robert Powell, Philip Rice, Bernard Wayne Sanders, and others.

SEP. 22, 2022

Organist Nicholas Schmelter, director of worship and congregational life at First Presbyterian Church of Caro (Michigan), opened concert seasons in Italy and Germany in September 2022. On Sunday, September 11, he opened the Modena Organ Festival, performing a concert of eclectic music from Johann Sebasation Bach to John Weaver at the Abbazia di San Pietro in Modena, Italy. Founded in 983, the abbey is home to a Benedictine community. Rebuilt 1476-1518, the church houses a Ruffatti organ from 1964 that utilizes materials from G.B. Facchetti (1524). Schmelter performed an all-American program to open the “Internationalen Orgelkonzerte” series at the Matthäuskirche (Stuttgart, Germany) on September 18. Built in 1881, the Matthäuskirche belongs to the Protestant Church in Germany. Its organ, built by Weigle Orgelbau (1952/1967), was subsequently modified by Diethelm Berner. The series is in its fifty-first year.

MAR. 22, 2023

Nicholas Schmelter was recently appointed Kyrkomusiker in Vellinge-Månstorps församling in Skåne County, Sweden. Among other responsibilities, he is organist among nine churches and directs the choir Cantica.

JUL. 26, 2023

Schmelter’s composition “Variations on O du fröhliche” was accepted for publication by the ECS Publishing Group. It will be released in 2024.

SEP. 18, 2023

Nicholas Schmelter was appointed President of the Board of Directors of the Organ Media Foundation in September 2023. The foundation was chartered in January 2011 to encourage and help those who seek to share the art and music of the classical organ in its many forms with a wider world through the use of both traditional and emerging media forms. The foundation’s outreach includes Your Sunday Service, Organ Live, and Positively Baroque.

REsponse

“Nicholas Schmelter’s second appearance (October 8, 2021) at Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA), Kokomo, Indiana, did not disappoint! From the opening notes of the Dupré to the final chord of the Mulet, Schmelter used skillfully and artistically the myriad of color available on the organ. An immediate standing ovation followed the concluding piece. Nicholas connects with the audience from the very beginning, and his knowledge of the pieces and composers brings the music to life in this time and this place. Schmelter’s musicianship, personality, and charm are a gift to the world. I highly recommend inviting him to perform and share his gifts as part of your concert series.” [Thomas Dearchs, Minister of Music and Founding Director of Music at Christ, Christ Lutheran Church, Kokomo, Indiana]

“This past Sunday I had the privilege of presenting the dynamic duo, Nicholas Schmelter and Tyler Kivel, who make up the remarkable ensemble All_flash, No_trash in concert at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The program that they chose was musically and technically challenging in the best sense - and they delivered a breathtaking experience to everyone who was fortunate to be there. What truly set this concert apart was when after the first movement of the first piece our organ chose to suffer a stroke leaving the combination system completely AWOL! Rather than throw in the towel, Mr. Schmelter registered the enire program by hand making lightening-quick changes throughout as needed. Their complete professionalism and musicianship made this program a joy to present from start to finish. I look forward to having them back again in the future, and I fully encourage all of you to RUN and book them for a program at your venue!” [Dr. Scott M. Hyslop, Director of Parish Music, St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, Michigan]

"Nicholas has become a valued member of the team of recitalists who play here at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, Ontario, every Tuesday, and we much look forward to his inventive programming and wonderful playing. Our audiences are delighted when they see his name on the schedule, knowing that they’re bound to enjoy his offerings." [Andrew Keegan Mackriell, Director of Music & Cathedral Organist, St. Paul's Cathedral, London, Ontario]

"Nicholas Schmelter has been a much-appreciated performer in our Noonday Recital series here at Yorkminster Park since 2003.  His recitals are always notable for splendid programming (including an all-Willan programme, played in the presence of Healey Willan's daughter, Mary Willan Mason), superb playing and masterful use of the 101-rank Casavant in our sanctuary.  He has been the final recitalist on our series before the summer break for so many years now that our patrons eagerly await his return every year, and always comment on how thoroughly satisfying his performances are.  We look forward to welcoming him here for many years to come!" [William Maddox, Organist and Director of Music, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, Toronto, Ontario]

"[...] as a recitalist: the best use and programming of a symphonic organ I have ever heard.  His Bach was a tour-de-force orchestral treatment of the genre, as if Bach wrote in this period.  The audience leapt to its feet at the end of the program." [Joseph R. Olefirowicz, Minister of Music, The First Church, Nashua, NH]

“The varied, captivating and culturally high program has been able to cross various eras and different styles, from the Baroque to the contemporary, managing to involve the public in a sound vortex of great beauty. The audience enthusiastically applauded a convincing performance, rigorous but at the same time expressive and musical, precise but always full of imagination and communication. From Böhm to Bach, up to the encore piece, Rubrics by Locklair, Schmelter took the audience by the hand and accompanied them on a journey of wonder and dense beauty. I can only congratulate Nicholas for his brilliant performance here in Modena, wishing him the opportunity to further expand his already brilliant career. We are very happy to have invited him and to have enjoyed his music.” [Stefano Pellini, Artistic Director, Modena Organ Festival, Modena, Italy]

"Nicholas has served as our Artist in Residence since 2007.  In that capacity he has been a major influence on our chamber choir and Evensong series.  His passion for accompanying is a blessing to us at Trinity Episcopal Church.  He is a genius and makes any choir sound terrific.  His faithful support has been a powerful witness to the organ and choral community in our area." [Robert Sabourin, Organist-Choirmaster, Trinity Episcopal Church, Bay City, MI]

"Nicholas embraced both The Basilica's instrument and acoustic with an electrifying enthusiasm. He immediately proved himself a 'musician's musician' and a sincere communicator of sound. The entire audience was engaged with the articulate delivery of program commentary via Nicholas' sharp wit, well-timed humor, and perfect economy of duration. The concert was impeccably programmed and showcased a great breadth of color and texture--even the rarest alluring color and percussion effects. Nicholas' symphonic use of the organ and technical mastery were keenly witnessed in his offering of the Piece d'Orgue and Searle Wright's Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue (a work that, until this concert, has no record of having been offered in The Basilica). The Leo Sowerby Carillon was so perfectly suited and musically conveyed. As a whole, the October 15 concert is a musical experience I will continue to fondly cherish. We look forward to the next opportunity to feature Nicholas' vital and engaging musicianship to Twin Cities audiences at The Basilica!" [Christopher Stroh, Basilica Organist & Liturgical Music Associate, The Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis, Minnesota]

"Many thanks for presenting a top notch performance here at St. Mary. Your program was very well chosen and played to the hilt. Most important of all is that you made some more friends for the organ and the piano." [Wayne Wyrembelski, Director of Music, St. Mary Cathedral, Gaylord, MI]