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Steven Ball occupies a rather unique place in both the worlds of the organ and carillon. In addition to being a Fulbright Scholar, he is part of a small number of artists in the world of the theater organ ever to have achieved a Doctoral degree in music, and the first to have ever done so with a degree in Organ Performance (DMusA U of M, 2008). Widely known for his scholarship with Silent Film, he has already traveled and performed extensively in both the United States and abroad, including concerts in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Portugal, Ireland, England and Switzerland. Some important firsts include the world premiere of the first concerto for Theater Organ and Orchestra ("Once Upon a Castle" Concerto for Theater Organ and Orchestra by Michael Daugherty, 2003) and the first silent film accompanied by a carillon.
Originally from a small farm near Wright Michigan, Dr. Ball began playing the organ at a very young age. After commencing formal study of piano at the age of six, he began accompanying church services on a regular basis by the age of nine. Organ studies began at the age of 12 with Dr. John Hammersma of Calvin College, and by the age of 16, Ball was accepted as an undergraduate in the studio of Dr. Marilyn Mason of the University of Michigan. His BM in Organ Performance (U of M 2000) was followed by several years of study abroad which included work at l'Institute de Touraine in Tours (France), the University of Utrecht and Royal Dutch Carillon School of Amersfoort (The Netherlands) as well as the Royal Carillon School of Mechelen (Belgium). He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship by the United States Government in 2002.
Dr. Ball is Senior Staff Organist at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor where he appears weekly when not on the road performing silent films, solo concerts or teaching workshops elsewhere. He maintains avery recording and concert schedule and is, in addition to these duties, a member of the Faculty of the Organ/Carillon Department at the University of Michigan, Director of the Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments and Cathedral Organist at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit.
You can learn more about Steven Ball and his work with The Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments by listening to a recent National Public Radio broadcast located here or a recent alumni assocation movie here. There was also a recent associated press article which can be found here.
The recent restoration of the Charles Baird Carillon made national news and appeared across the nation on the "Big Ten" network as well as PBS stations. You can watch the episode here.
The Ann Arbor Public Library recently interviewed Steven Ball about his life and work at the University of Michigan, The Michigan Theater, The Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament as well. You can find that podcast located here.
