George William Volkel (Organ, Choral Conductor, Arranger)

Born: 1905 (?) - New York City (?), NY, USA
Died: November 19, 1985 - Lighthouse Point, Florida, USA

The noted American organist and choir director, George William Volkel, graduated from the Juilliard School of Music in New York. He received his Master of Arts degree from his Alama Mater, New York University, cum lauda, and was for some years on its faculty. His received his Doctor of Sacred Music from the School of Sacred Music of Union Teological Seminary in New York City (1945?) and was also on its faculty, teaching choral score reading.

George William Volkel was organist from 1932 to 1955 at Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York. During the same years, he instructed vocal and orchestral score reading at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. In 1955 he assumed the musical responsibilities of the fifth largest Prebyterian of the USA in Westfield, New Jersey, where he made his home. At the church he had a tree manual organ and an adult choir of 75 voices with solo quartet. In 1966-1967 he moved to Fort Lauderdale area in Florida and was organist and choir director for several churches there.

George William Volkel had wide experience as organ recitalist and was known for his prodigious technique and musicality. He was a council member of the American Guild of Organists and was also Dean of the Metropolitan New Jersey chapter of the Guild.

Source: St. Petersburg Times (Jan 26, 1950); Palm Beach Daily News (Feb 7, 1965); Sun Sentinel (Nov 21, 1985)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (May 2010)

George William Volkel: Short Biography | Arrangements/Transcriptions: Works | Recordings

Links to other Sites

Volkel Praised For Notable Organ Recital (St. Petersburg Times - Jan 26, 1950)
Dr George William Volkel - Guest Organist at Nethesda (Palm Beach Daily News - Feb 7, 1965)

Featured Articles about Juilliard School - Page 4 - Sun Sentinel

Bibliography