Quick Facts
Biography
Richard Elliott is the principal organist of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Elliott originally planned to become a studio musician and studied organ as part of this goal. However, after joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he decided to change his goals. After studies at the preparatory division of the Peabody Conservatory and the Catholic University of America, he received a bachelor's degree from the Curtis Institute of Music while also serving as an assistant organist for the Wanamaker Organ. After receiving MM and DMA degrees from the Eastman School of Music, he became a professor of music at Brigham Young University. He was appointed a tabernacle organist at the retirement of Robert Cundick in 1991. In addition to accompanying the choir and giving recitals at Temple Square, Elliott has recorded many organ pieces with various labels and occasionally gives organ recitals at various locations across the United States. Several of Elliott's arrangements for organ have been published, many by Jackman Music.
Elliott is married to the former Elizabeth Cox Ballantyne and has two children.