Andrew McDonald is an organist, pianist, and vocalist with a passion for performance, teaching, and sacred music. A native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Andrew has extensive experience as a collaborative pianist for soloists and ensembles, in addition to presenting solo recitals and performances. For five years, Mr. McDonald maintained an independent teaching studio, St. Hildegard Music Studio, where he taught 20–30 students.

​​

Andrew most recently served as Organ Scholar at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse, where he assisted as organist and directed the women’s schola. Prior to that, he was Principal Organist and Choirmaster at Saint James the Less in La Crosse. In August, he will begin a new role as Director of Sacred Music at St. John Paul II Parish in Olathe, Kansas, where he will also teach classroom music at the parish academy.

​

He is an active member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), the Music Teachers’ National Association (MTNA), and the Church Music Association of America (CMAA). In the La Crosse area, he served as co-chair for the MTNA district auditions and as Sub-Dean of the Riverland AGO Chapter.

​

Andrew graduated with highest honors from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music with studies in piano performance and pedagogy under Dr. Mary Tollefson. He pursued organ and sacred music studies with Mr. Scott Turkington and is beginning studies for a Master of Music in Organ Performance at the University of Kansas under Dr. James Higdon this fall.

 

A graduate of Providence Academy in La Crosse, Andrew values the richness of a liberal arts education. On his blog, A Pianist’s Pen, Andrew plans to explore the intersections of music, culture, and thought across disciplines. Outside of work and music-making, he enjoys writing, deep dives on Wikipedia, and making his friends and family laugh.