Sándor Szabó (musician)

Sándor Szabó
Background information
Born	(1960-11-04) November 4, 1960 (age 64)
Instrument(s)	piano, organ, harpsichord
Years active	1984-present

Sándor Szabó playing a harpsichord at a concert in Summit, New Jersey, in 2012.

Sándor Szabó (born 4 November 1960) is a Yugoslav-born pianist,^[1][2][3][4] organist^[5][6] and harpsichordist of Hungarian descent who has worked as a performer, conductor^[7] and music director^[8][9] in both Europe and North America.^[10][11]

Education

Szabó studied at the University of Novi Sad (BA, music) and the University of Arts in Belgrade (MA, piano) and was later awarded MAs in organ and church music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano from Boston University in 2000.^[10][11]

Career and achievements

Szabó won the Outstanding Accompanist Award at the national Yugoslavian young artists competitions held in Belgrade in 1986 and Ljubljana in 1987.^[12]

After teaching piano and working as Assistant Conductor at the Serbian National Opera in Belgrade from 1983 to 1988, he emigrated to Ontario, Canada, and later to the United States. In 2005 he became choral director of the Oratorio Society of New Jersey. From 2008 to 2013 he was music director at the Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, New Jersey,^[13] as well as at Point O' Woods, New York, before serving as music director at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, New York.^[14] He was interim organist and music director at Christ's Church in Rye, New York, from 2019 to 2020 before being appointed Minister of Music at the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.^[10]

Szabo was appointed music director and conductor of the Oratorio Society of New Jersey in 2005, and has led the ensemble in a wide range of music, from classics to contemporary composers.

Szabó has performed as a concert artist throughout Europe and North America^[15] and has conducted orchestras and choirs in major concert halls and cathedrals on both continents.^[16] He has also performed on radio and television^[12] and holds a Fellowship certificate (FAGO) from the American Guild of Organists^[10][11]

References

1. Events in New Jersey, The New York Times, 30 December 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
2. Local Lenten services, activities, Independent Press, 4 March 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
3. Churches in Chatham, New Providence, Summit and Warren plan Holy Week, Independent Press, 9 April 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
4. Central Presbyterian Church to host afternoon concert, Independent Press, 8 April 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
5. On the towns, The New York Times, 28 June 1998. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
6. On the towns, The New York Times, 12 January 2003. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
7. Oratorio Society of New Jersey concerts planned, Independent Press, 7 March 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
8. Concert alert: Oratorio Society performs a romantic spring Brahms program, Independent Press, 15 March 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
9. On the towns, The New York Times, 5 November 2000. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
10. First Congregational Church, Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Staff, Dr. Sándor Szabó, Director of Music. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
11. Sándor Szabó appointed new Minister of Music at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, My Hometown Bronxville, 2 January 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
12. Concert details, Presybeterian Church, Westfield, The Westfield Leader, 21 September 2000. Retrieved 27 September 2012.
13. Sandor Szabo is new director of music ministries at Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, Independent Press, 20 January 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
14. New Minister of Music comes to Bronxville church, Daily Voice, 10 January 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
15. Morristown welcomes the fall season in song with Fridays-on-the-green, Star-Leder, 11 October 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
16. Metropolitan Orchestra of New Jersey. Performers, Sándor Szabó. Retrieved 4 November 2020.