West Park
United Church of Christ

3909 Rocky River Drive

Cleveland, Ohio 44111

James D. Clouser, Director of Music

James D. Clouser began formal organ studies in 2001 under the tutelage of Sandy Tittle, professor of Organ and Harpsichord at Hiram College. After a semester, he applied and was accepted into the studio of Todd Wilson, on scholarship, at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Mr. Clouser placed 1st prize in the 2002 AGO Cleveland Organ Competition and the 2003 AGO/Quimby Region V Competition for Young Organists. As a result, he has performed in regional and national conventions and has received recital invitations from across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

In 2008, he served as a lecturer and clinician at the 2009 United Church of Christ Musicians' National Network Convention on "Rediscovering Beautiful in Traditional Sacred Music." An advocate for liturgical reform and inspired by similar movements by Lowell Mason and Issac Watts, he continues to write and speak locally on the preservation of pipe organs and historical forms of church music.

James is employed at the Leek Pipe Organ Company, fulfilling the roles of Apprentice Organ Builder, Staff Organist, and Office Assistant. In addition to attending to organ building, he helps to design and promote educational programs for audiences of all ages.

As the Director of Music/Organist at West Park United Church of Christ, James is responsible for overseeing the program of choirs and organizing music-outreach events. He is also the Associate Organist at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Cleveland and Accompanist for Choral Spectrum, an Oberlin based community choir.

James and his wife Cassie live in Berea with their daughter Gia.

Copyright 2001-2010 West Park United Church of Christ

Photography by Patricia J. Jacko

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