Tempe, Ariz., March 7, 2016 –The Church of the Epiphany – Tempe (www.epiphany-tempe.org) is proud to announce that choirmaster Dr. Ryan Garrison has won a 2016 Grammy Award…his second Grammy Award in seven years. The 2016 award was as a member of The Phoenix Chorale for “Best Choral Performance (Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil)”.
“It’s an honor to be involved with [The Phoenix Chorale] ensemble, being able to perform with some of the best singers around, having the opportunity to travel for performances, and record Grammy worthy albums,” said Garrison, a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming and resident of Phoenix. “Not many get the opportunity to do what I have done. I feel very fortunate.”
Garrison, a baritone, won his first Grammy Award in 2009, also with The Phoenix Chorale, for “Best Small Ensemble Performance”, awarded for the album “Spotless Rose: Hymns to the Virgin Mary,” which was recorded in his first season with the chorale in 2005. Garrison’s credentials also include degrees from the University of Wyoming (Bachelor of Music/Education, 2001), Arizona State University (Masters of Music/Choral Education, 2006), and Arizona State University (Doctor of Musical Arts/Choral Conducting, 2013). He also taught three years in Denver (Orchestra/Choir) before moving to Phoenix, where he currently works at Arizona School for the Arts. He is now in his 12th full season with The Phoenix Chorale, and is also now in his ninth year as choirmaster at The Church of the Epiphany – Tempe.
“[The Church of the Epiphany – Tempe] has been a wonderful place to grow as a conductor,” Garrison continued. “It has been the choir members of Epiphany, however, that keep me coming back! I feel fortunate to lead a group of singers that have tremendous commitment week-to-week to perform to the best of their ability in providing a spiritual atmosphere for the Epiphany congregation. This choir is kind, extremely hard-working, and have the most caring hearts of any people I have ever worked with. They’re truly my family.”
Added Father Ron Poston, rector of The Church of the Epiphany – Tempe, “Ryan is truly an inspiration to all of us. How many churches can boast have a two-time Grammy Award winning choirmaster? Along with our terrific choir members and our magnificent organist, Ryan helps make our services truly something special and beautiful. I know I can speak for our entire congregation when I say how proud we are of him, and how happy we all are that he is a part of our parish family.”
For more information, please visit www.epiphany-tempe.org, call the Parish office at 480-968-4111, or email [email protected].
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