David Craighead has always maintained a balance both as a teacher and as a performer throughout his career. From 1955 until his retirement in the summer of 1992, Mr. Craighead was Professor of Organ and Chair of the Organ Division of the Keyboard Department at the Eastman School of Music Rochester, New York. At this time he was appointed organist of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Rochester, where he continues to serve. He has played recitals in seven national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, and at the International Congress held in London, Philadelphia and Cambridge, England.
Recognized as one of America's great organ artists, David Craighead was voted the 1983 International Performer of the Year by the New York Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. In June, 1968, Mr. Craighead received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pennsylvania, and in 1975 was the first recipient of the Eisenhart Award for teaching excellence at the Eastman School. His most recent award is that of honorary Fellowship in the Royal College of Organists, London, England.
