Montclair Musician Nails Down Prestigious Royal Distinction

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A conductor, composer and organist from Montclair recently nailed down a prestigious royal distinction in the United Kingdom.

A total of 42 members were successful in the examinations for the Fellowship of the College (FRCO), Associateship of the College (ARCO) and Colleague of the College (CRCO).

They included Montclair resident Vincent Carr, who became a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, one of the most prestigious certifications that an organist can obtain.

Carr is now among a select group of Americans who have achieved this honor, which came after an intense, multi-day test of his musical skills, performance and knowledge. His work garnered three highest-score prizes: the Limpus, Dixon and Richardson Prizes. As a Limpus prizewinner, he offered the Vote of Thanks speech at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Carr leads the education program for the American Guild of Organists, the world’s largest professional association of organists and church musicians. From 2006 to 2013, he was associate organist at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. He currently serves as director of sacred music at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Verona.

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