Henry Doktorski
Pianist
Organist Accordionist Composer Conductor Author Educator
Curriculum Vitae

Conductor

Employment History:

Performances with orchestra or ensemble

Performances as organist

  • St. Patrick Church, Oakdale, Pennsylvania: minister of music, organist, choir director (2003 to present)
  • Solo recitalist (playing Bach and Mouret), St. Patrick Church, Oakdale, Pennsylvania (March 2004)
  • Performance with vocal duet at Queen of Angels Chapel at Mount Assisi Convent in Bellevue (October 2003)
  • St. John of God Parish, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania: director of music, principal organist, choir director (2000 to 2003)
  • St Philip Roman Catholic Church, Pittsburgh (Crafton), Pennsylvania: guest organist (with the St. John of God Choir)(2003)
  • St Mary of Ostrabrama Roman Catholic Church, South River, New Jersey: guest organist (2002)
  • Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania: guest organist (with the St. John of God Choir) (2001)
  • St. Sebastian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: director of music, principal organist, choir director (1999 to 2000)
  • Community of Reconciliation Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: music director, organist, choir director (1996 to 1999)
  • Point Breeze Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: organist (1995 to 1996)
  • Saint Joseph's Cathedral, Wheeling, West Virginia: cantor (1993 to 1994)
  • New Vrindaban City of God Interfaith Community, Limestone, West Virginia: music director/organist/choir director/composer in residence (1986-1994)

Performance: as conductor

  • Alcoa Singers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: director/conductor (2001 to present)
  • St. John of God Parish, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania: director of music, principal organist, choir director (2000 to present)
  • St. Sebastian Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: director of music, principal organist, choir director (1999 to 2000)
  • American Federation of Musicians, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: festival choir director (1998)
  • New Vrindaban City of God Interfaith Community, Limestone, West Virginia: music director/organist/choir director/composer in residence (1986-1994)
  • Westmont Philharmonia Accordion Orchestra, Haddon Township, New Jersey: guest conductor (1992)
  • Kansas City Department of Recreation, Kansas City, Kansas, Summer Theater in the Park - music director (1977)
  • Actors Prologue Company, Kansas City, Missouri: music director, composer (1975 to 1978)

Performance: as accompanist

  • Alcoa Singers, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: piano accompanist (2000)
  • Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: accompanist for summer music camps (1996 to 1999)
  • Music Hall Players at Capitol Music Hall, Wheeling, West Virginia: vocal coach & accompanist (1991)
  • Wheeling Symphony Chorus, Wheeling, West Virginia: rehearsal accompanist (1990)

Performance: as solo accordion recitalist

  • Performed lecture/recital on the life and music of Guido Deiro: Orlando, Florida (November 2004)
  • Performed lecture/recital on the life and music of Guido Deiro: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (July 2004)
  • Performed and presented workshops at the Texas Accordion Association Annual Convention in Dallas, Texas (March 2004)
  • Solo Recital at Temple Sinai, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,(March 2004)
  • Solo Performance at Heinz Hall Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra "Fiddlesticks" Concert playing Fuga Mysterioso by Astor Piazzolla (February 2004)
  • Recital at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (August 2003)
  • Four Recitals: San Francisco, Petaluma, San Jose & Escalon, California (2002)
  • Acoustical Society of America, Annual Convention, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2002)
  • Midway United Methodist Church, Midway, Pennsylvania: guest accordionist (2002)
  • City University of New York, New York City: recitalist at Center for the Study of Free-Reed Instruments concert (2001)
  • Pittsburgh Opera Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: recitalist (with piano and string quintet) at Duquesne Club Fundraiser (2000)
  • Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: recitalist (with piano) (2000)
  • Frick Auditorium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: recitalist (1998 and 1999)
  • Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: performed at City Music Center recitals (1998 to 2000)
  • Guggenheim Museum, New York City: solo recital at Tenri Cultural Institute (August 1997)
  • Accordion Lovers Society International, San Diego, California: full solo recital (July 1996)
  • Bay Area Accordion Club, San Francisco, California: full solo recital (July 1996)
  • Carnegie Libraries, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: presented several solo recitals (April 1996)
  • WQED-FM, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: numerous appearances including a full solo recital recorded at Chatham College's Welk Hall (1994 to 1998)
  • St. Joseph Cathedral, Wheeling, West Virginia: full solo recital (June 1994)
  • American Accordion Musicological Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: presented concerts and master-classes at annual conventions (1991 to 1998)
  • Arlington Community Television, Arlington, Virginia: full solo recital (April 1991)
  • St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Wheeling, West Virginia: full solo recital (October 1990 and March 1991)
  • Palace of Gold Recital Hall, Limestone, West Virginia: numerous recitals (1989 to 1993)

Teaching:

  • City Music Center at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: accordion instructor (1997 to present)
  • Duquesne University School of Music, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: theory teacher for summer music camps (1996 to 1999)
  • Duquesne University School of Music, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: taught ear-training and solfeggio drills as part of graduate assistantship (1994 to 1996)
  • Marshall County Public Schools, West Virginia: music teacher, K-12 (1992 to 1993)
  • Private Students (1978 to present)

Other:

  • Pittsburgh Opera: assistant for super titles (1998 to 1999)
  • Three Rivers Free-Net, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Internet web site design consultant (1998 to 1999)

Education and Private Studies:

College Credit Studies

  • Duquesne University Graduate School of Music Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Master of Music degree with a major in composition (1997), grade point average: 3.968
  • Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey: classes in choral conducting and Gregorian chant with Helen Kemp and Fr. Gerard Farrell, OSB (1988)
  • Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Kansas City, Missouri: classes in composition and contemporary music ensemble (1978)
  • Park College, Parkville, Missouri: Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in piano performance and music education, summa cum laude, Dean's Honor List, Presidential Scholar, grade point average 3.938 (1978)

Extra Curricular Studies

  • Hymn Accompaniment Studies with Dr. John Ferguson (2002)
  • Pipe Organ Studies with Kenneth Danchik (2002)
  • Studies in Hymn Playing with Don Fellows at St. Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2000)
  • Composition Studies with David Stock and Dr. Joseph Wilcox Jenkins (1994 to 1997)
  • Pipe Organ Studies with Kathy Sacco, dean of The American Guild of Organists, Wheeling, West Virginia chapter (1986 to 1988)
  • Choral Conducting Studies with Gerre Hancock at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, New York City (1988)
  • Choral Conducting Studies with Professor Alfred R. de Jaager at West Liberty State College, West Liberty, West Virginia (1986 to 1987)
  • Voice Studies with Dr. Kenneth Mahy at West Liberty State College, West Liberty, West Virginia (1987)

Honors, Awards, Professional Memberships

  • American Federation of Musicians, member
  • American Guild of Organists, member
  • National Association for Pastoral Musicians, DMMD member
  • Center for the Study of Free-Reed Instruments, City University of New York: member of the board of advisors (1998 to present)
  • Pi Kappa Lambda, Academic Music Honors Society, member (inducted 1997)
  • The Classical Free-Reed, Inc. founder (1997) and webmaster
  • American composer Alan Hovhaness wrote a piece for Doktorski titled Hymn (1990)
  • American Accordion Musicological Society Competition: First Place Winner in the Virtuoso Solo Category (1990)
  • Eagle Scout, Troop 28, East Brunswick, New Jersey (1971)

Original Music Compositions:

  • We Are The People, an anthem for choir and chamber ensemble commissioned by The American Labor Party for their 1998 National Convention (Pittsburgh. PA)
  • Spiritvision Triptych, a Symphony in three movements based on a Native-American poem, for narrator and orchestra
  • Journey to the City of God, a rock opera based on the book by John Bunyan: Pilgrim's Progress , commissioned by The City of God (New Vrindaban) Interfaith Community (1992)
  • August 6, 1945 (for three pianos) a setting of the dies irae chant from the Requiem Mass, performed in recital at Duquesne University
  • Sweet Toot! a jazz suite in four movements commissioned by the Duquesne University Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble; also available in a version for free-bass accordion published by JANPress Publications
  • Suite on Four Polish Carols, for free-bass accordion and string quartet, recorded on Alanna Records.
  • Serenade (two versions) recorded on Boston Records BR 1015CD (harp and oboe) and Alanna Records ACD 5559 (harp and accordion)
  • Minuet recorded on Alanna Records
  • Gigue recorded on Alanna Records
  • The Palumbo Polka
  • Bach's Polka
  • Fantasy on Carol of the Bells

Published Writings:

  • Guido Deiro, Bröderna Guido och Pietro Deiro (Stockholm: Frosini-Deiro Förreningen, 2004)
  • The Classical Squeezebox: A Short History of the Accordion in Classical Music, Musical Performance, Volume 3 (London: Harwood Academic Publishers, 2002)
  • The Accordion and Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue: A Historical Perspective, Musical Performance, ibid.
  • Chant: The True Sound of the Triduum, The Catholic Spirit (Metuchen, New Jersey: March 28, 2002)
  • Choir a Comfort to Members As Well As Bereaved, The Catholic Spirit (Jan. 17, 2002)
  • Music Critic's Job Not Easy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Feb. 15, 2002)
  • Harrison Gave Away Plenty, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Dec. 21, 2001)
  • Oppression or Modesty? USA Today (Nov. 7, 2001)
  • Deer Me, Pittsburgh Magazine (Sept. 2001)
  • Fanatical Patriots, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Sept. 23, 2001)
  • Living Legend: An Interview With Larry Adler, BAAC Page (San Francisco: Bay Area Accordion Club Newsletter, Aug. 2001)
  • A Graphic Lesson, Pittsbugh Post-Gazette (May 23, 2001)
  • The Accordion and Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue, The BAAC Page (March 2001)
  • The Laotian Khaen, The Harmonica Educator, Vol. 8 No. 1 (North Hampton, Ohio: Spring 2001)
  • The Classical Sho, The Harmonica Educator, Vol. 7 No. 4 (Winter 2000)
  • The Chinese Sheng, The Harmonica Educator, Vol. 7 No. 3 (Fall 2000)
  • God's Existence a Matter of Faith, Home News Tribune (New Brunswick, NJ: Aug. 27, 2000)
  • Ancient Tradition Has Spiritual, Medicinal Benefits, (The Pittsburgh Catholic, May 26, 2000)
  • A Sign of PSO's Excellence, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Dec. 24, 1999)
  • Controversy Fast Route to Fame, Pittsburgh Catholic: Nov. 5, 1999)
  • The Accordion and Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue: A Historical Perspective, Music Theory - Explorations and Applications, Volume VII, (Pittsburgh: Duquesne University Press, 1999)
  • The Beatles and the Free-Reed Instruments, Harmonica Educator (Winter, 1998)
  • Command Performance, Playboy Magazine, Vol. 45, No. 7 (July 1998)
  • What Price Freedom? The CORrespondent (Pittsburgh: April 1998)
  • The Free-Reed Review - Volume I, the first fifty reviews; (Pittsburgh: The Classical Free-Reed, Inc., 1997)
  • The Science of Sound, Uzubuh (Pittsburgh: 1996)
  • The Composer: An Endangered Species (an interview with David Stock); Music Theory - Explorations and Applications, Volume IV (Pittsburgh: Duquesne University Press, 1995)
  • First International Accordion Celebration, Accordion World (Portland, Oregon: June 1994)
  • A Public School Music Teacher's Best Friend, Reed Block (San Diego: June 1993)
  • First International Accordion Celebration, CAPA Times (Fort Collins, Colorado: Spring 1993)
  • The Last Laugh -- Accordion Jokes and Joking Accordions, The Reed Block (San Diego: April 1993)
  • Music for Body, Mind & Spirit, The Reed Block (San Diego: March 1993)
  • Monastic Accordionists, Harmonikacentret Magazine, No. 3/1992 (Birkerod, Denmark: 1992)

Recordings: Compact Discs

  • Daphne Alderson: Songs from the Heart (2004)
  • Vaudeville Accordion Classics (Bridge Records: 2003)
  • California Accordion Recitals (2002)
  • Suite on Four Polish Carols (2002)
  • Passage to Paradise (Alanna Records ACD 5578: 1999)
  • Piano for Latin Lovers (Alanna Records ACD 5573: 1998)
  • Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue, with the Duquesne Chamber Players (1998: Alanna Records ACD 5575)
  • Cinema Serenade, with violinist Itzhak Perlman, conductor John Williams, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Sony Classical SK 63005: 1997)
  • A Classical Christmas, with the Pittsburgh Chamber Orchestra (Alanna Records ACD 5559: 1994)
  • Un Noel Tres Special: A Very Special Christmas, with the Pittsburgh Chamber Orchestra and Pittsburgh Boy Choir (ATMA Records ATM 2 9727: 1994)
  • A Classical Christmas, with the Pittsburgh Chamber Orchestra and Pittsburgh Boy Choir (Soli Deo Gloria CD01: 1993)

Recordings: Cassettes

  • Classical Radio Recital (1995)
  • Classical Squeezebox, a radio broadcast by WQED-FM (1995)
  • Music by Mozart & Friends (1993)
  • Carols for Christmas (1992)
  • Music by Bach and Handel (1990)

Recordings: Videos from Television Broadcasts

  • Accordion Conference (2001: Italics, The Italian American Magazine, New York City)
  • Music by Bach and Handel (1990: Arlington Community Television, Arlington, Virginia

For booking information and teaching inquiries
see Contact Henry Doktorski.

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