Jon Gillock grew up in Oklahoma where he began studying the piano at an early age. He received the BM with high honors and the MM degrees from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville); his major teacher there was John Cowell. He did graduate study at the College of Church Musicians, Washington Cathedral, with Leo Sowerby and Paul Callaway. He earned his DMA degree from The Juilliard School under Vernon de Tar (organ) and Gustave Reese (musicology). It was while he was still a student there that he began his long teaching association with Juilliard. Later, he studied with Olivier Messiaen at the Paris Conservatory.

Press and public alike proclaim American organist Jon Gillock for his sensitive and moving performances. Known for his ability to express and interpret the mystical and sublime, the deep and profound, to communicate with and move his audiences, he is especially fond of performing the "French spiritual repertoire". This includes the music of such composers as César Franck, Maurice Duruflé, Louis Vierne, Nicolas de Grigny, François Couperin, Charles Tournemire, and, of course, Olivier Messiaen and Johann Sebastian Bach.

Often a soloist in international festivals, he has also been a featured recitalist and master teacher for conventions of both the American Guild of Organists and the Royal Canadian College of Organists. In 1996 he was chosen to give the opening recital for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in New York City.

See also Jon Gillock's website: www.jongillock.com

Mr. Gillock's recital for the International Performer of the Year Award was at The Riverside Church as part of his series on the organ works of Olivier Messiaen.

Jon Gillock Organist The Riverside Church Tuesday, July 20, 1999 8:00 p.m.         PROGRAM     Livre du Saint-Sacrement (1984)      (Book of the Holy Sacrament) Olivier Messiaen (1908–1992)   I.   Adoro te – I Adore Thee II.   La Source de Vie – The Source of Life III.   Le Dieu caché – The Hidden God IV.   Acte de Foi – Act of Faith V.   Puer natus est nobis – A Child is Born Unto Us VI.   Le manne et le Pain de Vie – Manna and the Bread of Life VII.   Les ressuscités et la lumière de Vie – The Risen and the Light of Life VIII.   Institution de l’Eucharistie – Institution of the Eucharist IX.   Les ténèbres – The Darkness X.   La Résurrection du Christ – The Resurrection of Christ XI.   L’apparition du Christ ressuscité à Marie-Madeleine – Apparition of the Risen Christ to Mary Magdalene XII.   La Transsubstantiation – The Transubstantiation XIII.   Les deux murailles d’eau – The Two Walls of Water XIV.   Prière avant la communion – Prayer before Communion XV.   La joie de la grâce – The Joy of Grace XVI.   Prière après la communion – Prayer after Holy Communion XVII.   La Présence multipliée – The Multiplied Presence XVIII.   Offrande et Alleluia final – Offering and Final Alleluia       Karen McFarlane Artists Management