Stephen Tharp

In 2008 he was selected as the official organist during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to New York,[3] playing at three major events that were attended by more than 60,000 people.

[3] In addition to being a composer and transcriber in his own right, Tharp is a frequent performer of modern works, having premiered those of Philip Moore, Anthony Newman, Thierry Escaich and others.

[1] Tharp has recorded numerous CDs, including works by Jeanne Demessieux, Marcel Dupré, Louis Vierne and Charles-Marie Widor.

[7] His recording of the complete organ works of Jeanne Demessieux won the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik in 2009.

[5] In 2011 he was named International Performer of the Year by the New York City chapter of the American Guild of Organists,[3] and in 2015 he won the Paul Creston Award.