The Riverside Church Welcomes Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs, Director of Music

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Nathaniel Gumbs as our new Director of Music, starting May 1st! A native of The Bronx, NY, Dr. Gumbs has performed throughout the United States and internationally, including in Antigua, St. Thomas, Ghana, Paris, and Munich, continually attracting new fans and followers. In a review of a recording featuring him and bass-baritone Dashon Burton, The New York Times praised Nathaniel’s playing as “mature, lyrical, accurate, and energetic,” noting that his performance was delivered “deftly and with feeling.

Nathaniel currently serves as Director of Chapel Music at Yale University where he works with students, faculty, and guests to coordinate music for three worshiping communities: the University Church in Battell Chapel, the Yale Divinity School community, and the Berkeley Divinity School community, the latter two communities both worshiping in Marquand Chapel. He earned his undergraduate degree from Shenandoah Conservatory, his Master of Music degree from Yale University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Eastman School of Music.  Nathaniel’s principal teachers include Steven Cooksey, David Higgs, and Martin Jean.

Prior to his position at Yale, Nathaniel served as Director of Music and Arts and Church Organist at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, where he led several hundred volunteer musicians and staff in four choirs and other ensembles.  Nathaniel most recently served as the Interim Minister of Music and Fine Arts at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, NY.

In addition to his work at Yale, Nathaniel maintains a vibrant career as a concert organist, managed by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc. He is also featured on various recording projects through GIA publications with Dr. James Abbington, choral projects with award-winning conductor Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand, and recordings of revised choral works by Margaret Bonds with NY Philharmonic’s Chorus Director, Dr. Malcolm Merriweather. Nathaniel is a contributing composer in Pulling Out The Stops, Volume 3, Congregational Song Accompaniments for Organ, published by Augsburg Fortress. Most recently, he released his first organ solo project entitled King of Kings: Organ Music of Black Composers, Past and Present.