J. Michael Roush, acclaimed Director of Music of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, will retire Sunday, June 11, following a forty-four-year tenure. Hired in 1979 after graduating from Juilliard, Roush has produced decades of remarkable concerts from large-scale pieces with orchestra to intimate a cappella works, most recently “Songs ofFarewell,” a gem of the English choral tradition, by Hubert Parry.
For over twenty years, he was the Artistic Director of Fairfield-Westchester Concerts, Inc. that presented concerts at St. Barnabas, sponsored recordings, commissioned new works, and introduced young performers.
Under Roush’s leadership, the series Bach@415 was introduced and the Music Guild established. This new series brought artists and groups from across the nation to join the St. Barnabas Choir in major works that are performed outside of worship.
Metropolitan opera star Jessye Norman, upon hearing the St. Barnabas Choir and the church’s acoustics, asked the choir to record with her a Christmas CD, “In the Spirit,”available worldwide.
Using his skills as a concert organist, Roush has delighted parishioners and concert goers with the tonal qualities and musical versatility of the Richards, Fowkes Opus One organ since its installation at St. Barnabas in 1991. The public is welcome to come June 11 at 10:00am. to a service of Holy Eucharist with exuberant and joyful music performed and directed by J. Michael Roush as the parish wishes him farewell and Godspeed.