About

Alistair Reid, MA FRCO enjoys a distinguished career as an international conductor, organist, and pianist. He currently serves as Organist and Director of Music of St. Joseph’s Church Yorkville on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. He is also an Assisting Organist at Trinity Church Wall Street and The Brick Church as well as Accompanist and Organist of the Canterbury Choral Society. Alistair is a Visiting Artist in Residence at Bard College. He was recently Chairman of the St. Wilfrid Club, a dining club for organists founded in New York City in 1908.  

Alistair began his musical career as a boy chorister at his local church in London and began playing the piano at the age of eight. He studied music at the University of Oxford and, during this time, was Organ Scholar at Hertford College, Assistant Organist of the University Church, and Conductor of The Oxford Chamber Choir. 

After graduating, Alistair crossed the Atlantic to serve as Organ Scholar of Christ Church, Greenwich, Connecticut while continuing his studies with Gerre Hancock at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue. Alistair was then appointed Assistant Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis. During his five year tenure, he played for weekly broadcasts,  accompanied five European choir tours, and featured on the choir’s acclaimed CD, ‘My Spirit Rejoices’ on the Gothic label. 

From 2004 to 2011, Alistair was Associate Director of Music and subsequently Director of Music of Coventry Cathedral in England. During this time, he directed the cathedral's five choirs, trained the boy and girl choristers, and played for a number of high profile services, concerts, broadcasts, and international tours. He is featured on several CDs including ‘Choral Music from Coventry Cathedral’ on the Herald label and ‘The best Christmas carols album in the world… ever!’ on the Kingsway label. Alistair was also Associate Conductor of the cathedral’s choral society, The Coventry Cathedral Chorus and in 2010 helped to prepare Britten’s War Requiem for a performance marking the 70th anniversary of the bombing of the cathedral.

Alistair maintains a busy recital schedule and has performed in many prestigious venues around the world including Notre Dame de Paris, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the National Cathedral in Washington, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Alice Tully Hall, and Carnegie Hall.

He is also much in demand as a continuo player and has performed with the English String Orchestra, the American Symphony Orchestra, and the New Baroque Soloists.  

He lives in Manhattan with his wife and two children.