Charles E. Peery

Charles E. Peery is a graduate of the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, where he studied choral music education, organ, and composition. He taught public school choral music in the Forest Hills School District for 28 years. Chuck also served as musical director for over 60 community, college and semi-professional theater productions.

Chuck has handbell, brass, and choral music published by the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, MorningStar Music Publishers, and From the Top Publishing. He has written works on commission for churches in Ohio, Florida, Georgia, New York, Missouri, and Texas, as well as for the Carillon Handbell Choir of the University of Southern Mississippi. His handbell and organ piece "Haec Est Dies" was premiered at the national American Guild of Organists' Convention in July, 2010. Chuck has studied harp with Ulrike Brinksmeier at the Cincinnati Conservatory and with Ayako Watanabe in St. Louis. He has performed as harpist with the Webster University Symphony Orchestra, the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra, Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal), and the Gateway Men's Chorus. He is past Dean of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and director of the Gateway Ringers, St. Louis's premier community/auditioned handbell ensemble.

Chuck served as Director of Music at Anderson Hills United Methodist Church from 1976-2000, then as organist at Armstrong Chapel UMC from 2000-2004. Chuck moved to St. Louis in 2004, and in 2020 retired as Organist and Choirmaster at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Webster Groves. He now lives in Palm Springs, California.