Organist

“Our organ will never be the same again!”—Parishioners of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania

At House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (Christmas Eve, 2024).

Henry has performed in recital on the 66-stop Gress-Miles organ at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Davis Concert Hall (the largest organ in the State of Alaska), at Meridian Street Methodist (Indianapolis), and St. Patrick Roman Catholic (North Fayette Township, Pennsylvania). He has also performed as organist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Pines of Rome by Ottorino Respighi), The Bach Choir of Pittsburgh (Mozart's Requiem), the Abbey Brass, the Three Rivers Brass Quartet, the Carnegie Mellon Brass Quintet, and for churches in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey and Quebec.

At House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (2017).

Since moving to California early in 2016, he has performed in recitals sponsored by the AGO Orange County Chapter at the Laguna Presbyterian Church in Laguna Beach (May 2016), the San Diego Chapter at Mission Hills United Church of Christ (October 2017), and the Palomar Chapter at the Village Community Presbyterian Church in Rancho Santa Fe (May 2016), the First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside (May 2017), Trinity Episcopal Church in Escondido (October 2017), First United Methodist in Escondido (May 2018), Trinity Lutheran Church (October 2018), House of Prayer Lutheran, Escondido (November 2019), Gloria Dei Lutheran, Escondido (May 2022), and Trinity Episcopal Church, Escondido (March 2025).

At Our Saviour’s Lutheran, Orange, California (August 2016).

Henry also performed a solo recital at the First Congregational Church of Escondido in March 2023. Currently, Henry serves every Sunday as organist at House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Escondido, California. From 2016 to 2020 he also played Saturday evening Masses at Saint Martha Roman Catholic Church in Murrieta. He served as Dean for the American Guild of Organists Palomar Chapter for two terms (2019-2021), and has also served as an adjudicator for the chapter’s Organ Scholarship Competition.

Playing the M. P. Möller pipe organ in the choir loft of the historic Immaculate Heart of Mary Roman Catholic Church, Polish Hill, Pittsburgh (First Sunday of Advent: November 2006).

Henry has served as principal organist, choirmaster, and/or music director for:

Henry has also performed as a substitute organist at:

At St. Mary’s, McKees Rocks,
Pennsylvania (November 2000).

Among Roman Catholic churches, he has played at:

Henry has also performed for the Italian Sons and Daughters of America annual mass at Station Square presided by Bishop Anthony Bosco, and he has performed twice as organist and choirmaster for the weekly television mass broadcast by WPXI (channel 11 television) for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. In California, Henry has served as guest organist/pianist for:

Testimonials

At Grace Lutheran Church, Rochester, Pennsylvania (Christmas Eve, 2013).

• “Our organist Henry Doktorski is such a blessing to our church community. It has been such a privilege to work alongside him thus far whether through organ or piano. I know every time I have a request, Henry is always there ready to give us the best possible musical outcome.”—Michael Christati, Director of Music, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (January 2025)

• “Henry, You make so many people happy.”—Delores Madsen, Choir Member, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (January 2025)

• “Thank you so much for helping to make choir fun. You are the best!!”— Cheri Kendall, Choir Member and former Interim Director of Music, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (December 2024)

• “Thank you for all you do, Henry! You are such a gift.”— Carol Gross, Choir Member and former Director of Music, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (December 2024)

• “Your music brings so much joy to House of Prayer. Thank you for making our services special.”— Kitty and Tom Wiebe, Choir Members, Community Support Minister, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (December 2024)

• “Henry is a fabulous organist. Vistors and supply pastors often comment about our music, and we are so fortunate to have him. His playful spontaneity, poised with his sensitivity to the worship needs, and his musical skills make him an incredible musician to work with. We are grateful for all he does.”—Rev. Christina De La Cruz, Pastor, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (November 2024)

• “Henry is by far the most awesome and talented organist EVER!!!”—Patti Engelbrecht, Parishioner, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California (April 2020)

• “A special thank you to Henry, who brings his knowledge, talent and sense of humor to us each week. We are truly blessed to have him at House of Prayer! He certainly knows how to make music fun, while bringing out the best in all of us!”—Carol Gross, Music Director, House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido, California, published in House of Prayer’s monthly newsletter, Glad Tidings (May 2019)

• “I’ve been a member of this parish for eighty years and I’ve never heard anyone play our organ as well as you.—Usher, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania (2001)

• “We felt like we were in heaven. . . listening to you play.—Sisters Minor of Mary Immaculate, St. Mary of Ostrabrama Roman Catholic Church, South River, New Jersey (February 19, 2002)

• “Henry’s performance at the May 2016 Members’ Recital of the Palomar Chapter of the American Guild of Organists was full of imaginative registrations and colorful phrases. Although I have not known Henry for very long, his warmth, collegiality, and playing impressed me.”—Dr. Michael Munson, adjunct faculty, Palomar College, San Marcos, California; Organist, First United Methodist Church of Escondido, California; Dean, Palomar Chapter, American Guild of Organists.

• “Henry Doktorski is a wonderful and imaginative organist who has enhanced our service with his superb playing and brilliant selection of repertoire! Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church has had the pleasure of having Henry substitute as our organist from May through September 2016 and we have thoroughly enjoyed his many creative talents as well as his uplifting and joyful personality. He will make a fine addition to the music faculty at any church or institution.”—Chelsea Dehn, Director of Music, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Orange, California.

• “When Henry served as substitute organist at Our Lady of Mount Carmel (September 3 and 4, 2016), he showed himself to be a very apt and versatile player. He was able to adapt to fast pace rehearsal and adjust registrations suitable for cantor, choir, and solo organ music. During the Sunday services, he also displayed fine improvisational skills for a post-communion reflection.”—Paul May, Director of Liturgical Music, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Rancho Peñasquitos, California.

• “Henry Doktorski has a wonderful musical sense and this was so evident when he played for our church as a substitute organist on Sunday morning (October 9, 2016). His fingers danced on the keys in a way that brought joy to our congregation. When he played our hymns he didn’t just play the notes written on the page, he interpreted what the music was telling him from the words written. Henry is talented and willing to please. If we did not already have a full-time organist, I would be hiring Henry.”—Pamela Scott, Music Chairman of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Poway-Rancho Bernardo, California.

• “I have known Henry Doktorski since around 2003 when he directed and played organ for a group of church choirs in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, including my St. Columbkille Church choir for a beautiful 25th anniversary Mass for a priest. I appreciated Henry’s artistry in planning, directing and playing the organ as well as his easy manner in directing. Henry is a consummate musician and it has been my pleasure to work with him and learn from him.”—Roberta Schillo, Music Director at St. Columbkille Church, Imperial, Pennsylvania

• “Henry Doktorski worked closely with me during his tenure as Minister of Music at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Oakdale (North Fayette Township), Pennsylvania (2003-2005). He is a gifted leader and master musician. He always went ‘above and beyond’ his job requirements and is extremely dependable. I marvel at the extraordinary accomplishments he has fulfilled with humility and fortitude.”—Georgene Albrecht, Alto Section Leader, St. Patrick Church, North Fayette Township, Pennsylvania

• “Henry is a continual source of inspiration to me. His many talents, and zest for life, are ever-expanding.”—Robert G. Farrell, Founder and Director of the Armstrong Community Choir of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and Composer-In-Residence at St. Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• “Henry is a very intelligent, multi-talented man. His musical abilities are a joy to behold: piano, organ, accordion; they all sing in his hands. During his tenure as Music Director at Grace Lutheran (2006-2015), he made our small choir sound like so much more than we are. We enjoyed his friendship and wish him well in California.”—Karen Baker, Alto Section Leader, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Chancel Choir, Rochester, Pennsylvania

Online Recordings

At Ingomar United Methodist Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (May 2005).

To hear more than two dozen of Henry’s organ soundfiles, go to Henry’s Pipe Organ Recordings

What’s New, Articles, Essays, Recordings

Henry always has a good time at the organ. Photo by Carol Gross (November 2019).

• Gregorian Chant: Archaic Relic or Relevant Revelation? (May 2000)

• The Funeral Choir (December 2001)

• Christmas Concerts (December 2001)

• 2002 Christmas Concerts (December 2002)

• Christmas Concerts (December 2003)

• Christmas Concerts (December 2004)

• Easter Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church (April 2009)

• Christmas Concerts 2010 (December 2010)

• Christmas Eve at Grace Lutheran (December 2011)

• 24 Essays on 24 Hymns (January 2016)

• Henry’s latest musical composition: Fantasy on “Gather Us In” (October 2016)

• Henry plays Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man (November 2016)

• Organist at House of Prayer Lutheran Church (February 2017)

• Henry plays the Schlicker organ at House of Prayer Lutheran (March 2017)

• My Ash Wednesday Penance: A Short Story (March 2017)

• 2017 Organ Scholarship Competition (April 2017)

• 2017 Palomar AGO Chapter Members’ Recital (May 2017)

• Henry’s Book/CD Anatomy of an Organ Published (October 2017)

• Ein Feste Burg (October 2017)

• Review of Henry’s book/CD Anatomy of an Organ by S. Gross (February 2018)

• Review of Henry’s book/CD Anatomy of an Organ by J. Naples (April 2018)

• American Guild of Organists Recital (May 2018)

• Henry Plays Johann Ludwig Krebs: Präludium supra “Christ lag in Todesbanden” (August 2018)

• 11th Annual AGO Palomar Chapter Concert (October 2018)

• Henry presents lecture/slideshow on historic German organs (March 2019)

• Henry plays Beethoven’s Ode to Joy (October 2019)

• Henry’s Recital at House of Prayer (November 2019)

• Henry plays Erik Satie’s Gymnopedie No. 1 (November 2019)

• Henry plays Paul McCartney’s “When I’m Sixty-Four” (February 2020)

• Henry plays Modest Mussorgsky’s Promenade and The Old Castle from “Pictures at an Exhibition” on the Saint Martha, Murrieta organ (March 2020)

• Henry performs J. S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C, BWV556 (November 2020)

• Henry performs J. S. Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in F, BWV556 (November 2020)

• Henry performs in the AGO Virtual Bachathon (November 2020)

• Henry plays Johann Michael Bach: In ducli jubilo (February 2021)

• Easter Sunday 2022 (April 2022)

• Henry performs at AGO Recital (May 2022)

• Sheet music for Henry’s Fantasy on Marty Haugen’s “Gather Us In” for organ now available (October 2022)

• Henry performs in recital at the First Congregational Church of Escondido (March 2023)

• Easter Prelude at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, Escondido (April 2023)

• Henry performs Beethoven and Piazzolla (October 2023)

• Henry performs Estampie, a 900-year-old Medieval work for keyboard (October 2023)

• Henry performs Improvisation on St. Brendan (They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love) (November 2023)

• Henry performs Improvisation on Noël Nouvelet (December 2023)

• Henry’s music featured in American Guild of Organists newsletter (March 2024)

• Henry plays Improvisation on “Jesus Loves Me” (April 2024)

• Henry featured in April 2024 issue of Sforzando (April 2024)

• Henry Plays Eight Pieces on a Small Organ (April 2024)

• Henry appears in The American Organist magazine (July 2024)

• Henry’s music Fantasy on Marty Haugen’s Gather Us In performed by Diocese of Scranton organist and seminarian Daniel O’Brien (August 2024)

• Henry’s music Improvisation on St. Brendan’s performed by Wooster Ohio organist Steve Gerber: Prelude and Postlude (August 2024)

• Henry performs Improvisation on WE THREE KINGS at House of Prayer Lutheran Church (January 2025)

• Henry performs Les Barricades Mystérieuses by François Couperin (February 2025)

• Henry Performs at AGO Recital (March 2025)

• Henry at the 2025 American Guild of Organists Regional Convention (June 2025)

• Live recording: Henry performs Improvisation on “SPIRIT” (June 2025)

• Studio recording: Henry performs Improvisation on “SPIRIT” (June 2025)