Douglas Major
Douglas R. Major (born 1953 in Berwick, Pennsylvania) is a prominent American composer of sacred music and concert organist. He is the former choral director and organist at the Washington National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., where he frequently performed on nationally televised services and state occasions. He has made several recordings. Following his tenure at the Cathedral between 1974–2002, he moved to Massachusetts to concentrate on concert touring and composing. He also became music director at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Marblehead, serving there until retiring in 2019. Early life and education Major was born in Berwick, PA, and at the age of 6 began piano lessons with his grandmother, Rhoda Fetterman. In 1966 Major's family moved to Charleston, WV where he studied organ with Flora Kuendig. While in Charleston, he held organist positions at Redeemer Lutheran Church, and then at First Presbyterian Church, both in South Charleston. In 1969, his family moved to St. Louis, where he studied organ with Franklin Perkins while in high school at Lindbergh HS. He attended the University of Missouri/St. Louis, where he commenced organ studies with Ronald Arnatt, while serving as his assistant organist at Christ Church Cathedral (St. Louis, Missouri). Major earned a