Peter Bates, MM

Workshop Presenter

Events

Workshop – Sharing Your Chapter Throughout Your Community
Convention Hotel
7/10/2020 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM

About

Peter Bates began studying piano at age 5 and organ at age 8. He earned a Master’s degree in Music, specializing in organ performance, from Sacramento State University. His principal organ instructors included: G. Leland Ralph, Bill Thomson, and Lloyd Holzgraf.

Bates joined the staff of Covenant Presbyterian Church in June 1997 and has served there for over twenty-two years as minister of music and resident organist.

From 1984-1999, Peter played over 100 Noonday Organ Recitals, and over 500 weddings at the historic First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, presiding over the world’s largest church organ. He has also been involved in various recording projects as a soloist or an accompanist. He is frequently invited to speak on church service and hymn playing.

He has performed as organ accompanist for various choral organizations, including performances with the critically acclaimed Long Beach Camerata Singers, directed by Dr. Robert Istad. He has also been a featured soloist during the Long Beach Bach Festival and the Long Beach Mozart Festival.

He is a Past Dean for the Long Beach Chapter of the AGO and currently serves as the Southern California District Convener. He is the Director of the Committee on Sharing Skills and Resources for the AGO national organization. Bates is a past President of the National Association of Church Musicians.

He has also been honored by The Long Beach Alumnae of Sigma Alpha Iota musical fraternity for women as a “Friend of the Arts” for his contributions to the musical life of Long Beach.