Henry Doktorski, C.A.G.O.
Accordionist
Pianist Organist Composer Conductor Author Educator
Organist

"Our organ will never be the same again!"
Parishioners of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania
May 2005, Ingomar United Methodist Church
Henry Doktorski 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). 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, Indiana and New Jersey.

He has served as principal organist and/or music director for the following churches: Grace Lutheran in Rochester, Pennsylvania (2007-present), St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in North Fayette Township, Pennsylvania (2003-2005), St. John of God Roman Catholic in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania (2000-2003), St. Sebastian Roman Catholic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1999-2000), Community of Reconciliation Interdenominational in Oakland (1996-1999), Point Breeze Presbyterian (1995-1996) and the City of God Temple in Limestone, West Virginia (1986-1993).

Mr. Doktorski has also performed at the Squirrel Hill Presbyterian, Homestead Presbyterian, Grandview Presbyterian, Brookline Presbyterian, United Presbyterian; Emory United Methodist; Sharon Community Presbyterian, First Unitarian, Good Shepherd Lutheran, St. Matthew Lutheran and Brookline Lutheran churches in Pittsburgh, St. John Lutheran in Mars, and Bethany Memorial Christian Church in Bethany, West Virginia.

Among Roman Catholic churches, he has played at: St. Winifred, Holy Family in Lawrenceville, St. Augustine in Lawrenceville, St. Basil, St. Columbkille in Imperial, Duquesne University Chapel, St. Joan of Arc in Library, St. Martin in Crafton, St. Mary in Cecil, St. Philip in Crafton, St. Mary's of the Assumption in Glenshaw, St. Mark, St. Mary and Mother of Sorrows in McKees Rocks, St. James in West End, Queen of Angels Chapel at Mount Assisi Convent in Bellevue, Immaculate Heart of Mary on Polish Hill, Our Lady of Fatima in Hopewell Township, Christ the Divine Teacher in Chippewa Township (all in the Pittsburgh locale), and St. Mary of Ostrabrama in South River, New Jersey, to name a few. He 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 for the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Doktorski has studied or attended masterclasses with Gerre Hancock, Father Gerard Farrel, OSB., John Ferguson, Donald K. Fellows, Kenneth Danchik, Alfred R. de Jaager and Kathy Sacco. He was awarded the Colleague Certificate (C.A.G.O.) by the American Guild of Organists. In addition to performing, he is available to teach organ students.

May 2005, Ingomar United Methodist Church


  • "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

  • "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

  • MP3 Sound Files
    Henry Doktorski Plays the St. Patrick Wicks Organ

    The Saint Patrick Church pipe organ, installed by the Wicks company in 1982, contains four ranks of pipes (328 pipes) and 21 chimes. Each of the following four solo organ works (recorded on March 27, 2004) showcases one particular rank of pipes.

    The three simple Preludes and Fugues (from Eight Little Preludes and Fugues) attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach (but probably written by one of his pupils), features the (1st) Principle (Diapason) rank, (2nd) Rohr Gedeckt (half-stopped flute) rank, and (3rd) Gemshorn (flute/string hybrid) rank, respectively. Doktorski's own arrangement of Mouret's Rondeau features the (4th) Reed rank called Fagot (the German word for "bassoon," pronounced fah-gaht).

    Mr. Doktorski said, "Johann Sebastian Bach is probably my favorite composer of all time. In addition to his consummate musical genius (what unbelievably intricate craftsmanship and subtle emotional depth!), he was also a deeply religious man and humbly prefaced his scores with the inscription: Soli Deo Gloria -- only to God glory."

    J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in G Major (BWV 557)    2992 KB
    J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in F Major (BWV 556)    2414 KB
    J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C Major (BWV 553)    3452 KB
    Jean Joseph Mouret: Rondeau    2444 KB

    For booking information and teaching inquiries
    see Contact Henry Doktorski.

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