John A. Thuringer is a native of Eden, South Dakota. John’s love of organ began in 1981 on the two manual 1955 Allen TC-1 analog organ at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eden under the guidance of Msgr. Clarence Trautner. During high school, John was active in band playing percussion and accompanying the various choirs at Roslyn High School. At college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, he played piano and organ at the Newman Center and St. Thomas More parishes. John received his Bachelor of Arts and Science in Rural Sociology with a minor in Journalism in December 1992.
John moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 1995. He is currently the organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (III-35 rank 1965 Aeolian-Skinner) and the chapel organist at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls (II-5 rank 1997 J.F. Nordlie & Co). Prior to these appointments, John served as assistant organist at St Joseph Cathedral for 18 years. John is an active member of the South Dakota Chapter of the American Guild of Organists; and has served as Dean and Vice-Dean. John continues to play for weddings and funerals in Sioux Falls and surrounding cities.
In addition to music, John is a full-time Fine Wine Consultant with Okoboji Wines and loves to travel, cook at home, and collect wine. Getting to hear and the great Cavaillé-Coll organs at St. Sulpice, St. Denis, St. Clotilde, and Notre Dame in Paris during the summer of 2015 was definitely a highlight of his musical career.
John can be reached in Sioux Falls, SD at (605) 359-6664, johnthuringer@icloud.com or 3912 E Brewster St, Sioux Falls, SD 57108.
