Our Director

Nicholas Quardokus - Director

Nicholas Quardokus is the newly appointed Artistic Director of the Charleston Symphony Chorus, commencing responsibilities during the 2024-25 season.

Nicholas moved to Charleston in 2021 to take the position of Canon Organist and Director of Music at Grace Church Cathedral. At Grace, he oversees all facets of the music program, including choirs for adults and youth as well as organ playing duties. Under his baton, the Grace choirs have performed major works in concert, including Duruflé’s Requiem and Chilcott’s St. John Passion, among others. Previously, he was Assistant Organist at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York City, where he accompanied daily services with the acclaimed Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys. Other past appointments include as Organ Scholar at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street, Washington DC, and as a part-time interim at the Washington National Cathedral.

As soloist, Quardokus has performed across the Eastern United States, including at regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, The Kennedy Center, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. Recorded performances have been heard across the nation on public radio programs Pipedreams and Harmonia Early Music. He was also the featured organist for a documentary film on the music of Charles Ives broadcast on television across Europe. An avid improviser, he is a semi-finalist in the 2024 National Competition in Organ Improvisation. Upcoming engagements as improviser include appearances at both the Piccolo Spoleto and Spoleto USA festivals.

He holds bachelor and master degrees in organ from the Indiana University Jacobs Schol of Music and the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, respectively. His primary teachers include Janette Fishell and Martin Jean (organ), Elisabeth Wright and Arthur Haas (harpsichord), and Jeffrey Brillhart (improvisation).