Christopher Urban
As Associate Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, I lead weekly worship services from the organ and serve as accompanist for the Chancel Choir and Men’s Chorus. I am also a featured recitalist in the church’s “Wednesdays@Noon” concert series and frequent recitalist at churches in the Chicagoland area.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, I attended Indiana University, Bloomington, IN and received a degree in political science and economics.
I became interested in the organ at a very early age in church. I was active in various choirs and was always fascinated with the sound of the organ and all the buttons that made everything work. I started taking organ lessons at age 11 and started playing in church at 12.
My first formal organ teacher was Bill Evans at Westminster Presbyterian in Pittsburgh. Bill came to Pittsburgh by way of First Presbyterian, Evanston. Bill was a phenomenal musician and his teaching and playing style still has a huge influence on me today. My organ studies continued in college with Marilyn Kaiser and IU Bloomington. While not a music major, I was in Marilyn’s studio for four years of undergraduate studies.
After graduation from IU, I moved to Chicago and at the young age of 22, I was appointed organist at First Presbyterian Arlington Heights. I am now in my 21st year at First Pres. I am privileged to serve a congregation with a large, active music program and concert series. While I enjoy playing recitals, my real passion is playing for worship and more specifically, leading the congregation in hymn singing.
