Charles Tompkins, organ, is Distinguished University Organist and Professor of Music Emeritus at Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina, where he taught organ, harpsichord, church music, and music theory from 1986 until his retirement in December, 2022. In his current position as Distinguished University Organist, Dr. Tompkins continues to serve as organ accompanist for the University’s outstanding choral ensembles (the Furman Singers, Furman Chamber Choir, and Belle Voci (Women’s Chorale), and as Director of Furman’s Hartness Organ Recital Series. He also plays for University academic convocations and for weddings in the Charles E. Daniel Memorial Chapel.
An acclaimed performer, Dr. Tompkins continues to present recitals at major universities and churches throughout the United States, often in conjunction with masterclasses and lectures. Highlights of his performing career in the United States have included recitals at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and for national and regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists, Association of Anglican Musicians, Music Teachers National Association, and College Music Society. He was a featured performer at the AGO’s 2023 Southeastern Regional Convention in Augusta, GA. He has performed abroad in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, and England, including recitals at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris; St. Paul’s Cathedral, London; and the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge. His recitals have been broadcast nationally on American Public Media’s Pipedreams.
An active church musician throughout his career, Dr. Tompkins currently serves as Organist of First Baptist Church, Greenville, and as Artist in Residence for Christ Church (Episcopal), Greenville.
