Chris Gorsuch began formal studies on the organ at
age fourteen. He was soon playing for several different churches in his home
town of Springfield, Ohio. At the age of twenty, Chris moved to San Diego,
California to become a staff organist for the Organ Power Pizza restaurant
chain. One of the instruments that Chris played was the famed five-manual
Reginald Foort Travelling Moller Theatre Pipe Organ, now installed at the
Pasadena Civic Center.
While playing for the restaurant, Chris became a
student of Lyn Larsen. Chris gained invaluable knowledge from Lyn in the
areas of registration and phrasing. Many musicians have contributed their
influence to Chris’s musical style. Music of the Big Band era is a
particular favorite, as well as classical, jazz and the music of the 1920’s
and 1930’s.
Chris also has a fascination with electronics. In
1979, he formed his own company with the purpose of designing and
manufacturing electronic systems for pipe and electronic organs. His company
has created many new and innovative products including digitally sampled
sounds and computer software.
Chris is also a sought-after voicer and tonal
finisher. He feels as much at home in a pipe organ chamber as he does on the
bench playing the finished product. He has been the tonal finisher of
several major instruments in the United States.
Chris also functions as a recording engineer and
has been responsible for recording and mastering a number of CD’s released
by several major artists.
In 2008, the American Theatre Organ Society
presented Chris with the prestigious Organist Of The Year award.