Hardin-Simmons University School of Music Foundation Hosts Organist Julia Tucker

(ABILENE, Texas)–On Feb. 1, the Hardin-Simmons University School of Music Foundation will host Julia Tucker in concert. Tucker is a doctoral candidate at Arizona State University, studying organ performance. She will perform a variety of pieces at First Baptist Church of Abilene at 4 p.m. with a reception to follow in the church dining hall.

Tucker currently holds three degrees in piano and organ performance. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance from Auburn University in 2013 before earning two Master of Music degrees in piano and organ performance in 2015 and 2017, respectively, both from Syracuse University. Tucker is now working towards earning her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance, which she should finish in May 2021.

Julia Tucker plays the organ at Valley Presbyterian Church, where she serves as the organist and director of music.

Since 2017, Tucker has served as the organist and director of music at Valley Presbyterian Church in Paradise Valley, AZ. She previously acted as the director of music at several churches in New York state. Tucker’s husband, Joel Morehouse, serves as the director of music at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale, AZ, and the two collaborate on music projects in and around Phoenix.

Throughout her education, Tucker has received numerous musical awards, including the 2017 Syracuse University VPA Masters Award, 2017 Civic Morning Musicals Performance Award in Piano and Organ, and 2018 Marilyn Wurzburger Award. She currently serves as Sub-Dean of the Central Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

According to her website, Tucker is “passionate about assisting and empowering choirs and congregations to give their best to God through song and praise.”

Along with the piano and organ, Tucker also plays the harpsichord and sings in a choir. Her family shares her passion for music, as Tucker’s uncle is HSU’s Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Interim Dean of the Kelley College of Business, Dr. Robert Tucker.

To learn more about Tucker or to listen to her previous performances, visit her website at http://www.juliatuckermusic.com/.