Live in Concert in the Govans sanctuary!
Award-winning pianist and organist, Roderick Demmings Jr., began his
performance career at New York’s Carnegie Hall in a debut, solo performance at the age
of 12. In addition to piano, Rod began taking pipe organ lessons at 12 and merited a full
scholarship to attend Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University where he graduated with an undergraduate degree in organ performance. Since Carnegie Hall, Rod’s performed around the globe. In the summer of 2011,he toured South Africa and Lesotho. In July 2013, he toured Italy, performing at the Vatican. At home, Rod’s performed as a soloist in concerts halls from Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, to Philadelphia’s Verizon Center, to Los Angeles’s Walt Disney
Concert Hall, and many more. Most recently, Rod served as Music Director for George Washington University’s Theatre Program during the 2019-2020 season. Additionally, he also served as Music Director for Portland Stage’s first production of the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin.”
Having a heart for social justice, Rod formed #BlackMusicMatters, an arts
ensemble for singers and instrumentalists aimed at empowering and healing the Beloved Community” through Black Music. And on April 4, 2018, #BlackMusicMatters performed at the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in Memphis, TN. As an entertainer, Rod’s transcription of George Clinton’s “We Want the Funk” for Pipe Organ garnered more than 81k views online. Rod is the proud organist of the First Baptist Church of Baltimore.
In addition to music, Rod is an avid aviation aficionado (in pursuit of his pilot’s license), competes in Spartan races, and loves chess.