Title: Professor Emeritus of Organ and Church Music
Phone:  1.563.419.8570
Email: [email protected]
Degree: M.M., Syracuse University
Interests: Organ, church music

Critics have hailed organist William Kuhlman as “a world-class performer” whose playing “communicates musical purpose and excitement.” His passion for his art is reflected in a 38 year teaching and performing career that has spanned a broad range of activities, from concerts with the Dallas and Philadelphia Brass and Chicago Symphony Trumpeter Adolph Herseth, and solo recitals in the cathedrals of Trondheim, Rotterdam and Vienna, to publication in 2002 of his scholarly work in the national organ journals, The Diapason and The American Organist. His most recent recitals have included engagements with the famed Empire Brass. His performances have aired on four different National Public Radio programs including “Performance Today,” “Saint Paul Sunday Morning”, “Pipedreams,” and “All Things Considered.” He has recorded on the large mechanical action organ at the Center for Faith and Life built by Robert Sipe, including a new brass and organ disc recorded with the Empire Brass under the Telarc label which was issued internationally. For his scholarly activities he has received research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the George C. Marshall Foundation for study in Denmark. In January of 2004 he completed an engagement with The "Sistema Nacional para las Orquestas Juveniles e Infantile de Venezuela" (The Venezuelan State Foundation for the National System of Youth Orchestras), along with Empire Brass trumpet virtuoso Marc Reese in Caracas Venezuela. His recent compilation of organ literature and sacred tunes entitled “The Organist’s Music Library Plus” has received nationwide praise as an invaluable tool for organists, performers and scholars. Over forty of his Luther organ students have gone on for graduate degrees at other prestigious institutions. His most recent appearances have been in Minnesota, Ohio, Iowa and Chile. He and his wife Yvonne are frequently heard as substitute organists at First Lutheran and Grace Episcopal Church in Decorah, Iowa. His degree work has been at St. Olaf College, Syracuse University, Eastman School of Music and Westminster Choir College. He retired from Luther in 2006 and lives in Tucson, AZ.