Alumni to Watch

If you're visiting the Windy City and you're a lover of music, you may want to look up Dr. Katie Ann McCarty (M.M., Performance, '02; Ph.D. Musical Arts, '06). Dr. McCarty is the organist and accompanist for the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, a large church in The Loop. She oversees the restoration and repair the organ, an Aeolian Skinner/Wicks hybrid, and plays for several weekly services as well as special celebrations.

Katie Ann McCarty

Dr. McCarty also performs at private events such as weddings and receptions, and has given multiple concerts in the Chicagoland area. She enjoys performing all periods of music, including early Baroque and Renaissance, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary. Several of her concerts have accented her specialty, the transition from the Classical French to the Romantic French organ traditions. Her most recent concert included settings of German chorales by composers Bach, Bruhns, Weckmann and several free works of Buxtehude in honor of the 175th anniversary of his death.

Dr. McCarty also is the staff accompanist for Riverside Brookfield High School, accompanying five choirs, serving as assistant director as necessary, and accompanying individuals in contest or recital situations. She enjoys this immensely, and hopes to inspire others to pursue their love of music. She works freelance as an editor for musical dissertations. Other projects include preparing several articles for publication, maintaining her studio of piano students, volunteering to play in benefit concerts like the annual Alma Fields scholarship fund and concerts in support of the homeless programs at her church.

Katie Ann McCarty