Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Organ Recital: Eric Choate
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Join us for a program by multi-talented Bay Area musician Eric Choate, of contemporary and original works for organ, entitled In Remembrance. Included in the concert will be eminent composer David Conte’s majestic Prelude and Fugue dedicated to his legendary teacher, Nadia Boulanger.
Our organ recital series features some of the finest organists playing one of America’s great organs. Grace Cathedral’s 7,466-pipe Aeolian-Skinner instrument, the Charles B. Alexander Memorial Organ (1934), is one of the first and finest American classic-style organs and is among the largest church organs in the West. Experiencing music in our gothic cathedral with its unique acoustics, soaring nave, and jewel-like stained glass windows is a feast for the ears, eyes, and soul.
Recorded on June 7, 2026.
Program: Tribute & Remembrance
Each work on this program is offered as a gesture of homage to another composer or style. The dedication is evident in both Ian Venables’ and David Conte’s pieces. Byron Adams’s Suite in Olden Style recalls the forms and gestures of the Baroque, refracted through a modern sensibility. My Fantasie was inspired by the splendid improvisations of Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin after having spent a summer studying with her. Procession & Chorale was written for my wedding to Ellen Leslie at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, its ceremonial spirit modelled after on William Walton’s noble Crown Imperial March.
Fantasie
Eric Choate (b. 1990)
Rhapsody in memoriam Herbert Howells
Ian Venables (b. 1955)
Suite in Olden Style
Byron Adams (b. 1955)
Prelude and Fugue in memoriam Nadia Boulanger
David Conte (b. 1955)
Procession & Chorale
Eric Choate
About the Organist
Eric Choate is in demand internationally as a conductor, composer, and organist. He is a professor of Choral and Organ music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and performs solo recitals across America and Europe. In the summer of 2023, he was awarded a grant to study improvisation in the French style with Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin in Paris. He holds the Fellowship Certificate (FAGO) from the American Guild of Organists and serves as Director of Music at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Recent conducting engagements include the Marin Symphony Chorus, San Francisco Boys Chorus, Göteborgs Symfoniska Kör & Vokalensemble in Gothenburg, Sweden, Merced Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Festival Napa Valley, and Berkeley Symphony Chorus. He is the founding Artistic Director of Nebula Consort, an a cappella chorus for emerging artists. As a composer, Eric’s compositions have been lauded as being “rapturous,” and “quietly majestic” (Textura.org). His works have been performed by renowned artists including VOCES8, musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, American Bach Soloists, Las Cruces Symphony, Johann Vexo, and university choirs around the globe. His music is published by E.C. Schirmer and VOCES8 Publishing, and recordings of his work have been released on Arsis Audio and Ulysses Arts labels. Eric lives in San Francisco with his wife, soprano Ellen Leslie.
Give to Grace
Your gift helps Grace Cathedral realize its vision: a spiritually alive world. There are many ways to give: please visit gracecathedral.org/give to learn more.
Experience the Exceptional
GraceArts connects a wider community of people through art and cultural events held in our awe-inspiring space. If you have a passion for the arts, become a GraceArts member and enjoy discounts and benefits while supporting our cathedral. Sign up today to be part of GraceArts! Gracecathedral.org/join.
Organ Recital: Eric Choate
Grace Cathedral, San Francisco
Join us for a program by multi-talented Bay Area musician Eric Choate, of contemporary and original works for organ, entitled In Remembrance. Included in the concert will be eminent composer David Conte’s majestic Prelude and Fugue dedicated to his legendary teacher, Nadia Boulanger.
Our organ recital series features some of the finest organists playing one of America’s great organs. Grace Cathedral’s 7,466-pipe Aeolian-Skinner instrument, the Charles B. Alexander Memorial Organ (1934), is one of the first and finest American classic-style organs and is among the largest church organs in the West. Experiencing music in our gothic cathedral with its unique acoustics, soaring nave, and jewel-like stained glass windows is a feast for the ears, eyes, and soul.
Recorded on June 7, 2026.
Program: Tribute & Remembrance
Each work on this program is offered as a gesture of homage to another composer or style. The dedication is evident in both Ian Venables’ and David Conte’s pieces. Byron Adams’s Suite in Olden Style recalls the forms and gestures of the Baroque, refracted through a modern sensibility. My Fantasie was inspired by the splendid improvisations of Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin after having spent a summer studying with her. Procession & Chorale was written for my wedding to Ellen Leslie at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, its ceremonial spirit modelled after on William Walton’s noble Crown Imperial March.
Fantasie
Eric Choate (b. 1990)
Rhapsody in memoriam Herbert Howells
Ian Venables (b. 1955)
Suite in Olden Style
Byron Adams (b. 1955)
Prelude and Fugue in memoriam Nadia Boulanger
David Conte (b. 1955)
Procession & Chorale
Eric Choate
About the Organist
Eric Choate is in demand internationally as a conductor, composer, and organist. He is a professor of Choral and Organ music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and performs solo recitals across America and Europe. In the summer of 2023, he was awarded a grant to study improvisation in the French style with Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin in Paris. He holds the Fellowship Certificate (FAGO) from the American Guild of Organists and serves as Director of Music at The Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Recent conducting engagements include the Marin Symphony Chorus, San Francisco Boys Chorus, Göteborgs Symfoniska Kör & Vokalensemble in Gothenburg, Sweden, Merced Symphony, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Festival Napa Valley, and Berkeley Symphony Chorus. He is the founding Artistic Director of Nebula Consort, an a cappella chorus for emerging artists. As a composer, Eric’s compositions have been lauded as being “rapturous,” and “quietly majestic” (Textura.org). His works have been performed by renowned artists including VOCES8, musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, American Bach Soloists, Las Cruces Symphony, Johann Vexo, and university choirs around the globe. His music is published by E.C. Schirmer and VOCES8 Publishing, and recordings of his work have been released on Arsis Audio and Ulysses Arts labels. Eric lives in San Francisco with his wife, soprano Ellen Leslie.
Give to Grace
Your gift helps Grace Cathedral realize its vision: a spiritually alive world. There are many ways to give: please visit gracecathedral.org/give to learn more.
Experience the Exceptional
GraceArts connects a wider community of people through art and cultural events held in our awe-inspiring space. If you have a passion for the arts, become a GraceArts member and enjoy discounts and benefits while supporting our cathedral. Sign up today to be part of GraceArts! Gracecathedral.org/join.
