Zion Organ Recital Series:
Dylan David Shaw and Jake Darmstadter, Organists
Friday, December 11th, 2026 at 7pm
The Concert is free and open to the public
There is a suggested donation of $20 being collected in the Narthex for our Organ Fund
Our Parish Organist and his Assistant will present a duo concert featuring Christmas Classics!
Dylan David Shaw is a Philadelphia native whose fascination with the pipe organ began at an early age. He started piano lessons at the age of five before beginning organ studies at eleven at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia's Queen Village neighborhood. As a young musician, Dylan made frequent visits to the Wanamaker Grand Court to attend the celebrated evening organ concerts. These visits led to formative relationships with Wanamaker Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte and the late Michael Stairs, former organist of The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Dylan continued his organ studies under Michael Stairs, serving as his console assistant and gaining invaluable experience in performance and concert preparation. Following Stairs’ passing, he continued his coaching with Peter Richard Conte, with a particular emphasis on the art of organ transcription. He is a two-time participant in the Longwood Gardens Organ Academy, an intensive week-long program devoted to organ transcription led by Alan Morrison, Haas Charitable Trust Chair in Organ Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, and Peter Richard Conte, Wanamaker Grand Court Organist and Principal Organist of Longwood Gardens. During the academy, he also participated in a masterclass with internationally acclaimed organist Ken Cowan, Professor of Organ at Rice University.
For nearly eleven years, Dylan served as Assistant Grand Court Organist under Peter Richard Conte at the Wanamaker Organ, performing multiple concerts each week on one of the world's most celebrated pipe organs. His varied programs ranged from the masterworks of J.S. Bach to lighter fare, including popular Disney selections, reflecting both his versatility and commitment to engaging diverse audiences.
In addition to his work in Philadelphia, Dylan serves as Associate Organist at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, home to the Midmer-Losh Organ, recognized as the largest musical instrument in the world. He has been featured as a recitalist for the Acme Organ Institute's Oktoberfest in Indiana and has appeared in educational and performance videos produced by the institute. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
A defining feature of Dylan's artistry is his passion for transcribing and performing orchestral music for the organ. His repertoire includes works such as Maurice Ravel's Mother Goose Suite and Gioachino Rossini's Overture to Il turco in Italia. A devoted admirer of Sir Arthur Sullivan, he has also created numerous organ transcriptions of Sullivan's music, including the overture to H.M.S. Pinafore and the delightful Overture di Ballo.
Away from the console, Dylan enjoys cooking, painting, and listening to heavy metal music—interests that reflect the same creativity and enthusiasm he brings to his musical career.
Jake Darmstadter, originally from Georgetown, Delaware, is a passionate organist and musician currently based in Philadelphia. His musical journey began at the age of six with piano lessons, inspired by his grandmother and great-grandmother—both lifelong musicians. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he taught himself the organ and quickly developed a deep fascination with the instrument, particularly the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia, which he visited frequently to attend its daily recitals.
Jake most recently served as Organist and Choir Director at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown, where he revitalized the choir program, performed maintenance on the church’s historic pipe organ, and organized benefit concerts to support its restoration. His efforts helped launch a formal restoration project, backed by the church and its donors.
Now a freshman at Temple University pursuing a pre-medical track, Jake continues to explore his musical interests while embracing the vibrant cultural life of Philadelphia. He remains committed to growing as both a musician and organist, blending tradition with innovation in every performance.