Jack Ergo

Associate Professor of Music
Music Department Coordinator

Jack Ergo has been surrounded by music his entire life. He began piano lessons at the age of four and by the age of nine was regularly performing piano recitals, playing for church services, and traveling to Michigan State University for piano study. At age 13 he performed Haydn's Concerto in D with the Saginaw, Michigan, Symphony. As a high school student in Saginaw, Jack participated in many musical ensembles as performer and conductor (many times with his parents who are symphony and chamber musicians), often conducting from the keyboard. He also served as choral and music director for his church.

After undergraduate study at Central Michigan University where Mr. Ergo performed many piano recitals, was assistant conductor of the Opera Workshop, and played viola in the University Symphony, he transferred to the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and earned bachelors and masters degrees. He specialized in early keyboard music and 20th century music - seemingly opposite ends of the spectrum. He performed as harpsichord soloist with the Peabody Symphony in Elliott Carter's Double Concerto. He repeated this and other works on the Johns Hopkins Concert Series and at the American Music Festival sponsored by the State Department in Washington, D.C. He was also the accompanist for the Maryland Ballet and performed the Franck Symphonic Variations at their New York debut.

From 1981 to 2001, Mr. Ergo was the Music Director for the international headquarters of the Community of Christ Church located in Independence, Missouri. His responsibilities included 'all things musical' and also the conducting of the distinguished INDEPENDENCE MESSIAH CHOIR in their annual performances of Handel's MESSIAH. Since 1991 the performance has been televised nationwide on the Public Broadcasting System and also over 700 radio stations and many local cable systems. Mr. Ergo’s recordings of Messiah continue to be sold through Herald Publishing House and many PBS television stations carried Messiah on Christmas Eve, 2003.

He has taken the MESSIAH CHOIR to Great Britain, Wales, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and in 2000 the choir presented New York City's first complete Handel's Messiah of the new millennium at Carnegie Hall to a sold out audience.

Mr. Ergo is co-editor of Sing for Peace and Sing A New Song, the two hymnal supplements for the Community of Christ Church.

Additionally he produced and directed the recordings for Sing A New Song as well as recording a 5 CD set of the denomination’s main hymnal, Hymns of the Saints.

"The indefatigable Jack Ergo" (Saints Herald Magazine - Australia) gives tremendous energy and passion to his artistic endeavors (..."he nurtures his groups with intense devotion." Independence Examiner).

Mr. Ergo comes to Graceland with a long history of community orchestra and arts organization. From 1989-2000 he led the renowned Kansas City Civic Orchestra through a decade of diverse programming. The orchestra has been very active in Kansas City Metro Community events, from July 4th fireworks presentations to performing Mendelssohn's ELIJAH at Beth Shalom Synagogue sponsored by Harmony in a World of Difference.

He is the founder of the EASTERN JACKSON COUNTY YOUTH ORCHESTRA, founder of the INDEPENDENCE POLICE CHORUS, co-founder and co-conductor of the HARMONY CHOIR OF KANSAS CITY, co-founder and conductor of the Independence MAYORS' CHRISTMAS CONCERT events.

Mr. Ergo is celebrating his 9th year as guest clinician for the summer orchestra camp at Central Missouri State University.

For 2004-2005, Mr. Ergo celebrates his 23rd year as the Music and Artistic Director of the INDEPENDENCE SYMPHONY, one of the mid-west’s oldest community orchestras now in its 60th season.

Mr. Ergo continues as frequent lecturer, adjudicator, and conductor throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.

In 2002, Jack Ergo was appointed associate professor of music at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa where he conducts the Graceland University Symphony as well as teaching Church Music, a Musics of the World class, Counterpoint, Instrumental Arranging, and Conducting.