Geoffrey Simon
Geoffrey Simon
Geoffrey Simon is Organ Curator at Raleigh Moravian Church. A Fellow of the College of Church Musicians at the National Cathedral, where he studied with Paul Callaway and Leo Sowerby, he holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University. He was Director of University Choirs at The American University in Washington, DC, before becoming Professor of Church Music at Wesley Seminary.
He has played, sung, and/or conducted in 20 states and in European capitals including Berlin, Copenhagen, and Warsaw. He is one of few Americans to play a recital at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, where Bach served as Cantor. His North Carolina connections began at Duke University, where his musical activities included singing in three choral organizations, playing violin in the Duke Orchestra, accompanying, playing the carillon for two years, and being the first student to share a recital with a faculty member, playing the three Bach Gamba Sonatas with ‘cellist William Klenz.
When playing chamber music requiring harpsichord, he uses the Thomas Goff instrument originally made for Thurston Dart, the eminent English musician who was at the forefront of the re-discovery of Baroque performance practices.
Articles by Geoffrey Simon:
Bach's Matthäus-Passion: Excellent Singing and Playing, on the Fast Side
Choral Music, Early Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, June 14, 2019- Event Information: Bach Akademie Charlotte: Masterwork Finale: St. Matthew Passion
- Event Information: Bach Akademie Charlotte: Masterwork Finale: St. Matthew Passion
Superb Singing Closes Master Chorale's 2018-19 Season
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 21, 2019- Event Information: North Carolina Master Chorale: Till We Meet Again
Beethoven, Caroline Shaw, and Prokofiev: A Wonderful Eclectic Mix
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 17, 2019- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Biss Plays Beethoven
Bloch's Choral Magnum Opus: A Great Work, An Unbalanced Performance
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 4, 2019- Event Information: Choral Society of Durham: Bloch's Sacred Service
Clare College Choir Returns with Lenten Music
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 1, 2019- Event Information: St. Michael's Episcopal Church: The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, UK
The Borromeo String Quartet: Magnificent Music-Makers
Chamber Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 31, 2019- Event Information: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church: Borromeo String Quartet
NC State University Choirs Give Sonic Gift of "Music for a Cathedral"
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 28, 2019- Event Information: ARTS NC STATE, NCSU Department of Music: Spring Choirs Concert
Violin Classics Receive Classic Performances
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 24, 2019- Event Information: St. Michael's Episcopal Church: Brian Reagin and Solomon Eichner
NC Symphony's Many-Hued Dances: A Sonic Spectacular
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 8, 2019- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Dance and Romance
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Dance & Romance
CSC & MCP: Bach Cantata Receives Gentle Performance
Chamber Orchestra, Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 2, 2019- Event Information: Concert Singers of Cary: Bach’s Awakening: Discover Cantata 140
Korndörfer's Mastery Highlights Colors of Duke's Flentrop Organ
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 27, 2019- Event Information: Duke University Department of Music: Jens Korndörfer
Hadelich and NC Symphony Star in "Firebird" Program
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 25, 2019- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: The Firebird
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: The Firebird
Nathan Laube's Superb Playing Shows New Organ's Strengths and Weaknesses
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 3, 2019- Event Information: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral: Inaugural Recital
Latvian Choir Brings Imaginative Program to Duke Chapel
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 15, 2018- Event Information: Duke Performances: Latvian Radio Choir
NC Symphony Superb as Film Orchestra
Film, Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 5, 2018- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
Orchestra Impressive in Gala Season-Opening Concert
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 20, 2018- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Joshua Bell
Quintessential Schubert Song Cycle Receives Superb Performance
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 9, 2018- Event Information: Meredith College: Marc Callahan and Keiko Sekino
Amadeus Score Shines Brightly in Multi-Media Performance
Choral Music, Film, Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, June 7, 2018- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Amadeus LIVE
Berlioz Grande Messe des Morts: A Grand 75th Anniversary Concert
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 8, 2018- Event Information: North Carolina Master Chorale: Berlioz's Requiem
David Briggs' Mahler: Symphony Without the Orchestra
Choral Music, Orchestral Music, Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 22, 2018- Event Information: Choral Society of Durham: Mahler's Symphony #2
Three Widely-Differing Compositions:Three Results with NCS
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 13, 2018- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Brahms Symphony No. 4
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Brahms Symphony No. 4
Locklair Premiere Highlights Parkins' Masterful Playing
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 25, 2018Lesser-Known Music Highlights Concert Singers of Cary's Program
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 17, 2018- Event Information: Concert Singers of Cary: "Sacre Coeur"
Wynkoop's Superb Elijah Delights Duke Chapel Audience
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 4, 2018NC Symphony Brings Multicolored Symphonic Stories from Bernstein and Ravel (with update*)
Choral Music, Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 9, 2018- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Daphnis and Chloe
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Daphnis and Chloe
Clare College Choir: Impressive and Expressive
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, December 11, 2017New Cathedral vs NC Symphony Scorecard: Acoustics 3; Orchestra 2; Brass Septet 1
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, December 9, 2017- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Music for A Winter's Eve
Vaysse-Knitter Brings Colorful Debussy and Impressive Pyrotechnics
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 11, 2017- Event Information: The Paderewski Piano Festival: Paderewski Concert 3: Frédéric Vaysse-Knitter
Ivanova Brings Musicianship and Flawless Technique to Paderewski Festival
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 5, 2017- Event Information: The Paderewski Piano Festival: Paderewski Concert 2: Elizaveta Ivanova
Hamilton's Recital: A Feast of (mostly) French Music
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 3, 2017- Event Information: Central NC Chapter, American Guild of Organists: Organ Recital
Quintessential Song Cycles Performed in The Schumann Project
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 29, 2017- Event Information: Carol Woods Retirement Center: Andrea Moore, soprano; Jason Karn, tenor; David Heid, piano
- Event Information: Duke University Department of Music: The Schumann Project
- Event Information: The Music House: The Schumann Project
NC Symphony's New Season Rocks with Early and Final Works of Rachmaninoff
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 22, 2017- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: An Evening of Rachmaninoff
Scintillating Tchaikovsky, Superb Shostakovich by North Carolina Symphony
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 19, 2017- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Russian Nights
Jenkins Work Highlights "Voices" Concert
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 6, 2017- Event Information: Voices: "Better Is Peace"
Myriad Choral Colors Paint Duke Chapel's Acoustic Canvas with Whitacre Singers
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 28, 2017- Event Information: Duke Performances: Eric Whitacre Singers
St. Olaf Choir Sings with Beauty and with A Message
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 2, 2017NC Master Chorale Brings Brahms to Meymandi
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 29, 2017- Event Information: North Carolina Master Chorale: "Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem"
Chanticleer: Simply Superb Singing at Duke
Vocal Ensemble Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 27, 2016- Event Information: Duke Performances: A Chanticleer Christmas
Suter's Masterful Playing of Duruflé Organ Works at Duke Chapel
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 13, 2016- Event Information: Duke Chapel Music: Erik Suter, organ
Jean Dubé's Birthday Present to Paderewski
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 6, 2016- Event Information: The Paderewski Piano Festival: Paderewski Concert 2: Jean Dubé, piano
Bostridge's and Adès' Hauntingly-Exquisite Schubertian Journey at Duke
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 20, 2016- Event Information: Duke Performances: Winterreise
Curry's Triumphant Finale Highlights Beethoven Festival
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, June 17, 2016- Event Information: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, North Carolina Symphony: Beethoven Festival
- Event Information: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, North Carolina Symphony: Beethoven Festival
Orlando Consort / Voices Appeared: La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc
Early Music, Film Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 8, 2016- Event Information: Duke Performances: Orlando Consort
Cameron Carpenter: A Multifaceted Artist
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 19, 2016- Event Information: ARTS NC STATE, NC State Live: Cameron Carpenter
Gentle Berlioz, Beautifully Sung by North Carolina Master Chorale
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 13, 2016- Event Information: North Carolina Master Chorale: Berlioz's L’Enfance du Christ
Aber's Recital Features Organ's Trumpet Sounds
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 6, 2016- Event Information: Hayes Barton United Methodist Church: Stephen Aber, organ
Liturgical Music Performed With Grace
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 21, 2016A Totally Lovely Concert by Cantus
Vocal Ensemble Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 30, 2016- Event Information: Duke Performances: Cantus
Scintillating and Melodic Mendelssohn from NC Artists
Chamber Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 15, 2016- Event Information: UNC Chapel Hill Department of Music: Cello Music of Mendelssohn
NC Symphony and Master Chorale "Go Baroque" with Bach and Handel
Choral Music, Holiday Concert, Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, December 4, 2015- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: A Baroque Christmas
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: "A Baroque Christmas"
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: A Baroque Christmas
Magisterial Recital Concludes Paderewski Festival
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 15, 2015Chamber Music Celebrates J.S. Bach and M.C. Escher
Chamber Music, Early Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 1, 2015Górecki Sung in "Stereo" by NC Master Chorale
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 25, 2015- Event Information: North Carolina Master Chorale: "Heavenly Voices"
Early Cantata Highlights Bach Vesper
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 16, 2015- Event Information: Duke Vespers Ensemble: "Bach Vespers"
The Brentano Quartet: Exquisitely-Intimate Music-Making
Chamber Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 26, 2015- Event Information: Duke Performances: Brentano String Quartet
Duke Vespers Ensemble Records Buxtehude's Membra Jesu Nostri
Choral Music, Early Music Media Review by Geoffrey Simon, August 30, 2015Humidity Fails to Dampen NC Symphony and Sean Chen
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, June 13, 2015Young Talented Musicians Lead NC Symphony
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, June 12, 2015Summerfest 2015 Highlighted by Dvořák's "New World" Symphony
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 23, 2015- Event Information: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, North Carolina Symphony: Opening Night
Gardiner Applies Special Touch To Sacred Monument
Choral Music, Early Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 19, 2015- Event Information: Carolina Performing Arts: Monteverdi – Vespers of 1610
Radiant Dvořák Stabat Mater
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 12, 2015- Event Information: North Carolina Master Chorale: Stabat Mater
Timely St. Matthew Passion at Duke Chapel
Choral Music, Early Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 29, 2015Chamber Choir Excels in "American Classics" Program
Chamber Music, Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 27, 2015- Event Information: North Carolina Master Chorale: "American Classics"
Britten's War Requiem: Chorus Overwhelmed in UNC Performance
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 5, 2015- Event Information: Carolina Performing Arts: Britten's War Requiem, Op. 66
Baritone Lee Poulis a Highlight of Hindemith Requiem
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 8, 2015In Two Concerts: Sparkling Prokofiev, Searing Shostakovich, and Some Tchaikovsky on the Side
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 1, 2015- Event Information: Carolina Performing Arts: The Mariinsky Orchestra
- Event Information: Carolina Performing Arts: The Mariinsky Orchestra
Imaginative Programming Highlights Cary Choral Concert
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 15, 2014- Event Information: Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Concert Singers of Cary: "Time and Space"
Polychoral Sonorities Delight Duke Chapel Audience
Early Music, Vocal Ensemble Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 30, 2014- Event Information: Duke Performances: Vox Luminis
Musical Words from the 13th and 19th Centuries
Vocal Ensemble Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 27, 2014- Event Information: Duke Performances: Anonymous 4
C.P.E. Bach's Music: Exploring New Directions
Chamber Music, Early Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 26, 2014An "Old-Time" Recital at St. Michael's Episcopal Church
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 19, 2014- Event Information: St. Michael's Episcopal Church: Organ Concert
Symposium Focuses on "The Brothers Bach"
Early Music Feature by Geoffrey Simon, June 7, 2014- Event Information: UNC Greensboro School of Music, Theatre & Dance: Focus on Piano Literature - The Brothers Bach
- Event Information: UNC Greensboro School of Music, Theatre & Dance: Focus on Piano Literature - The Brothers Bach: UNCG Faculty and Guest Recital
- Event Information: UNC Greensboro School of Music, Theatre & Dance: Focus on Piano Literature - The Brothers Bach: David Schulenberg, clavichord, harpsichord, and fortepianos
- Event Information: UNC Greensboro School of Music, Theatre & Dance: Focus on Piano Literature - The Brothers Bach: Jacques Ogg, clavichord, harpsichord, fortepiano
Early English Opera Receives Appropriately-Baroque-style Performance
Opera Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 19, 2014MacMillan's St. Luke Passion Has Dramatic US Premiere
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 13, 2014Baldwin Celebration Season Celebrates "The Ninth"
Choral Music, Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 5, 2014Tears of St. Peter Exquisitely Performed at Duke
Choral Music, Early Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 30, 2014Seldom-heard Honegger Work Is Well-performed
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 22, 2014VOANR: Solo Voices Do Not Always Make the Best Renaissance-music Chorus
Vocal Ensemble Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 31, 2014Fine Vocal Blending in Polish Choral Music
Early Music, Vocal Ensemble Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 30, 2014Porsches and Chamber Music at the NCMA
Chamber Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, January 12, 2014NC Symphony and Master Chorale in Baroque Brilliance
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, December 6, 2013- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Bach's Christmas Oratorio
UNC Choir Premieres Stephen Anderson's Isaiah
Choral Music, Contemporary Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 21, 2013Estonian Choral Perfection in Duke Chapel
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 12, 2013- Event Information: Duke Performances: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
An Audio Tour of 17th-18th Century Music at St. Thomas Church, Leipzig
Early Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 25, 2013András Schiff's Goldberg Variations: Truly Transcendental Etudes
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 23, 2013- Event Information: Carolina Performing Arts: András Schiff – Goldberg Variations
Riverdeep Masters Varied Male Chorus Repertoire
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 19, 2013- Event Information: Edenton Street United Methodist Church, riverdeep: Choral Concert
- Event Information: riverdeep: Choral Concert
Superb, Scintillating Mendelssohn at UNC-CH
Chamber Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, October 13, 2013Lee's Recital Shows Flentrop Organ's Romantic Side
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 29, 2013- Event Information: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church: Frank H. Kenan Memorial Organ Recital
A Fine Beethoven Ninth for Llewellyn's Tenth
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, September 20, 2013- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Beethoven's 9th
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Beethoven's 9th
Summerfest 2013: 1812 Overture / Classic Celebrations
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, July 6, 2013Organist Diane Meredith Belcher Shows Stylistic Command
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, May 3, 2013Beautiful Brahms, Scintillating Shostakovich
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 23, 2013- Event Information: UNC Chapel Hill Department of Music: UNC Symphony Orchestra
Brahms' A German Requiem Honors the Memory of Robert Ward
Choral Music, Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, April 12, 2013- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Brahms' Requiem
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Brahms' Requiem
The Borromeo: Worthy Descendants to the Count's Quartet
Chamber Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 17, 2013Going for Baroque: Bach and Purcell at UNC
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, March 3, 2013NC Symphony and Pianist Clara Yang: Colorful Schumann, Brilliant Britten
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 15, 2013- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Schumann's Piano Concerto
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Schumann's Piano Concerto
- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: Schumann's Piano Concerto
The St. Lawrence String Quartet: Not Your Grandparents' Quartet!
Chamber Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 2, 2013A Stellar, Multimedia "Planets"
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, February 1, 2013- Event Information: North Carolina Symphony: The Planets: An HD Odyssey
Christmas Music from France
Choral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, December 14, 2012- Event Information: Voices: Sing Noel
UNC Ensembles Present Baroque and Renaissance Gems
Early Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, December 9, 2012- Event Information: UNC Chapel Hill Department of Music: UNC Baroque Ensemble
Gardiner's Beethoven: Above the Stars
Orchestral Music Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 14, 2012Lippincott Brings out the Flentrop Organ's Best
Recital Review by Geoffrey Simon, November 4, 2012
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