Dr. Linda Raney
Organist/Music DirectorDr. Linda Raney plays the C. B. Fisk organ (Opus 133) at First Presbyterian and directs the Chancel Choir and the 8:30 Choir and plays the organ for services. She came from Indiana to Santa Fe and began her work as Director of Music and Organist at First Presbyterian in 1986. Linda founded the TGIF Concert series in October 2008, and First Presbyterian has been hosting a Friday evening concert every week since then. In addition she administrates a week long Summer Organ Academy.
Originally a Hoosier, Linda studied at Indiana University where she received doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s degrees.
Linda was a recipient in 2010 of the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, presented by then-Mayor David Coss and the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission.
“The healing properties of music are too powerful, not to be caught up in sharing God’s gift to humankind of sound. Playing music and facilitating the music- making of others are my passions.”
(Video from the City of Santa Fe YouTube Channel)
Linda is married to Raymond, an Episcopal priest who is Canon of the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande (New Mexico and Southwest Texas). Raymond is the former Rector of the Church of the Holy Cross in Edgewood, NM.
In addition to her duties at First Presbyterian, Linda serves as Music Director of the Santa Fe Women’s Ensemble since 1988. Jogging, hiking, yoga, and buying fresh food at the new Santa Fe Farmer’s Market are her leisure pleasures.