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Christian Elliott is one of today’s prominent concert organists. Equally at home performing literature of the church or theatre, he is also sought after as a scorer of silent films. A native of Santa Ana, Christian graduated with honors from Vanguard University of Southern California (formerly Southern California College), Costa Mesa. While still a student, he held church organ positions in several prominent southern California churches. For nine years he was a guest artist for the summer noon organ recitals at the Crystal Cathedral where he also played weddings and coached with Frederick Swann. Other organ instructors included Charles Shaffer and, after moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988, celebrated organist and composer Richard Purvis. In addition to his classical and church organ training, he was privileged to be mentored by several world-renowned theatre organists, being particularly identified for his association with legendary organist Gaylord Carter, the ‘dean’ of silent film accompaniment. Christian worked extensively with Mr. Carter, who proudly claimed Christian as his protégé. In 1995 at Carter’s gala 90th birthday celebration and farewell performance at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre, Christian and Gaylord shared the stage in a moving performance that garnered several standing ovations. Excerpts from this event were featured in the documentary “Pulling Out All the Stops: The Pipe Organ in America” seen on PBS television stations. Christian tours frequently, and his performance credits are far-ranging—from mighty Wurlitzers in the grandest movie palaces, to stunning silent film accompaniments, appearances at the American Theatre Organ Society and the American Institute of Organ Builders conventions, and programs on BBC Radio, at the famed Hollywood Bowl and before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Christian has six solo recordings to his credit. Theatre Organ Journal’s Bob Shafter said in reviewing Shuffle Off to Buffalo: “...the best of the best...this recording (will be) one of the few ‘classics’ in the theatre organ world. It gets the highest possible recommendation.” After a distinguished tenure of eleven years as Senior Organist and Associate Minister of Worship at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, Christian transitioned to a corporate career in 1999. He continues as the Principal Guest Organist at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, where he performs monthly, and continues to perform solo organ engagements and silent film presentations all across the United States.
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