Dr. Brendan Conner is a scholar-performer whose expertise bridges the organ bench and the lecture hall. With a Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance and a minor in Music History, Brendan brings a rare blend of academic insight and musical passion to Prelude to the Journey—the Sacred Music Tours’ exclusive pre-travel course designed to enrich your experience long before you step into a cathedral.

From his musicology studies, he understands music in its historical, cultural, and liturgical context. His teaching doesn't simply tell you what composers wrote—but why they wrote it, how it was heard in its time, and what it still means today. You'll come away with a deeper grasp of the cathedral tradition: from the architectural acoustics that shaped choral polyphony, to the theological shifts behind musical reforms, to the subtle symbolism embedded in the chants, canticles, and hymns you’ll soon hear in person.

Brendan’s role is to help you listen like a cathedral insider. By guiding you through centuries of sacred sound before you travel, he ensures that every choir rehearsal, organ demonstration, and service you attend on tour resonates with meaning. His thoughtful instruction transforms beautiful music into a living, breathing encounter with history, faith, and art.