Eric Plutz is University Organist at Princeton University, where his responsibilities include playing for weekly services at the Chapel, Academic Ceremonies, and solo concerts, as well as accompanying the University Chapel Choir in services and concerts. He coordinates the weekly After Noon Concert Series at the University Chapel, is Lecturer in Music and Instructor of Organ at Princeton University, and maintains a private studio. Also in Princeton, Mr. Plutz is rehearsal accompanist for Princeton Pro Musica. In 2016, Mr. Plutz received the Alumni Merit Award from Westminster Choir College of Rider University. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, performances of The Vierne Project (the complete organ symphonies of Louis Vierne, honoring the composer’s Sesquicentennial) will be extended throughout 2021. One of a handful of organists to embark on such a venture, Mr. Plutz has secured performances at multiple venues, and in a variety of formats.

As an organ concert soloist, Mr. Plutz, who “performs with gusto, flair, clarity, and strong yet pliant rhythmic control (James Hildreth, for The American Organist),” has accepted engagements in distinguished locations across the United States and abroad including Germany, Austria, Philadelphia (Verizon Hall, the Wanamaker Organ, Longwood Gardens), New York City (Avery Fisher Hall, Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, Cathedral of St. John the Divine), Washington, DC (Washington National Cathedral), and San Francisco (Grace Cathedral). He has been a featured artist at three Regional Conventions of the American Guild of Organists (2007, 2011, 2019), the Annual Convention of the Organ Historical Society (2016), and at the 2010 National AGO Convention in Washington, DC, Mr. Plutz performed twice, in collaboration with two local groups. His playing has been broadcast on “With Heart and Voice,” “Pipedreams,” and “the Wanamaker Organ Hour.”

Eric Plutz has made four solo recordings on the Pro Organo label, ProOrgano.com.  French Trilogy (on the Æolian-Skinner Organ at Byrnes Auditorium, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC), about which James Reed (The Diapason) wrote, “Plutz is a master craftsman… his performances are sensitive, emotional, stunningly accurate, and spectacularly musical… truly a world-class performance by a world-class musician,” and Denver Jubilee (restored 1938 Kimball Organ of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, Denver, CO), about which David Schwartz (American Record Guide) wrote, “….he understands, as would a great orchestrator, how to register the more orchestral side of the instrument….”

Two previous recordings are of the Princeton University Chapel Organ: Musique Héroïque and Carnival, about which Mr. Hildreth (TAO) writes, “Plutz’s extraordinary musicianship and dexterous command allow him to perform the most challenging passages (of which there are many!) with apparent ease. He performs the quiet pieces with poetry and grace.”

As an accompanist, Mr. Plutz has recently concluded a 15-year period as rehearsal accompanist for the Westminster Symphonic Choir at Westminster Choir College. Additionally, he has worked with many organizations, including the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, National Symphony Orchestra, Choral Arts Society of Washington, and the Cathedral Choral Society (DC). As a teacher, he held the position of Adjunct Assistant Professor of Organ at Westminster Choir College three separate times.

Originally from Rock Island, Illinois, Mr. Plutz earned a Bachelor of Music degree, magna cum laude, from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music. Additional study consists of two visits to Europe: in 2005, he studied the complete organ works of César Franck with Marie-Louise Langlais in Paris, and in 2019 he studied the complete organ symphonies of Louis Vierne with Ben van Oosten in The Hague, Netherlands.

The Vierne Project Marathon

In celebration of Louis Vierne's Sesquicentennial, University Organist Eric Plutz performs all six of the French composer's Organ Symphonies. Filmed at Princeton University Chapel on September 11, 2020.

Events

The Vierne Project

September 15, 2020, 7:30

First United Methodist Church

Evanston, Illinois

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Co-sponsored by First United Methodist Church of Evanston and the North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, Mr. Plutz will perform two or three Organ Symphonies by Louis Vierne (program TBA).

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Postponed Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Vierne Project
(Online Performance)

September 20, 2020, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM EDT

Church of St. Ignatius Loyola

New York, New York

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Mr. Plutz will perform two Vierne Symphonies: Nos. 1 & 4 on the celebrated Noel P. Mander Organ of St. Ignatius Loyola. 

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Watch here

The Vierne Project
(Online Performance)

September 25, 2020, 7:30 PM EDT

St. Ann Catholic Church

Washington, DC

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Mr. Plutz will perform organ symphony 5

Watch here

The Vierne Project Marathon
(Online Performance)

October 8, 2020, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM (EDT)

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A free online event celebrating the 150th birthday of composer Louis Vierne through successive live recorded performances, one each hour, of all six organ symphonies filmed in the Princeton University Chapel

Organ Concert

February 14, 2021, 3:00 PM

Christ Church Christiana Hundred

Wilmington, Delaware

Mr. Plutz plans an entertaining program

Organ Concert

February 19, 2021, 8:00 PM

Princeton University Chapel

Princeton, New Jersey

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Mr. Plutz will play a varied program, TBA.

The Vierne Project

February 26, 2021, 7:30 PM

St. Luke Lutheran Church

Ithaca, New York 

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Mr. Plutz will perform 2 or 3 Symphonies by Louis Vierne (program TBA).

The Vierne Project

September 10, 2021, 7:30 PM
Christ Episcopal Church
Reading, Pennsylvania

The Vierne Project

September 12, 2021, 4:00 PM
Grace Lutheran Church
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

The Vierne Project

October 16-17, 2021

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

Portland, Oregon

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Mr. Plutz will perform all six organ symphonies in two concerts:

Symphonies 1, 3, & 5 on October 16th at 7:00 PM and

Symphonies 2, 4 & 6 on October 17th, at 5:00 PM

Organ Concert

November 12, 2021, 8:00 PM

Princeton University Chapel

Princeton, New Jersey

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Mr. Plutz plans a varied program (TBA)