Professional Biography

István Hernek - Professional Biography

István Hernek is a Christian musician and composer with a life mission to serve in church music and music education, as well as to compose numerous works for piano, orchestra and various instrument and vocal combinations.  

As founder and director of Paraclete Conservatory, a not-for-profit organization dedicated the development of worship and outreach through music, István maintains an earnest commitment to delivering the Gospel message within the church and community.  His interest in sacred music has led him to other existing organizations as well.  István served as chair of the Monsignor Henry S. Kawalec Memorial Organ Scholarship on the Executive Board of Directors of the Church Musician’s Guild for three years (2001-2003).

Since 2012, Istvan has been Director of Music and Organist for Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church in Buffalo, NY, where he has composed and arranged numerous choral, organ, and instrumental works for the church's music ministry.  Earlier, he was Director of Music for the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, where he established a 20-piece Chamber Orchestra, as well as multiple small group ensembles for worship services and performances. 

István has instituted, coached, and trained adult traditional choirs, youth choirs, and contemporary ensembles, and has implemented motivational strategies that dramatically increase involvement in music ministries at all levels. He frequently substitutes as organist/choir director at St. Josephs Cathedral in down town Buffalo.  Since January of 1999 István has formed a choir and directed music annually for the Pro-life Mass in Washington DC for Bishop Mansell and Bishop Kmiec.

Music Composition / Performance 

Throughout his career, István has supervised the development of music programs and arrangements for classes, concerts, and musicals, and composed and produced numerous educational and musical CDs – including a “Pentecost Concert” CD of the May 2006 performance of the Orchard Park Presbyterian Church Choir and Orchestra at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York. 

István was commissioned to write a series of works for piano and orchestra to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of Orchard Park, New York. The four sonatas composed featured themes provided by aspiring young musicians from the community; the project culminated in the composition of the Orchard Park Piano Concerto. He is also composing two Flute Concertos for the brilliant young internationally acclaimed flute prodigy Emma Resmini.

Prior Experience / Music Studies

From 1995 to 2004, István was music director and organist for a number of churches throughout the eastern United States. From 1983 to 1995, István was music director and tour manager of the secular vocal and instrumental group “Majesty,” directing more than 6,000 performances in the U.S. and abroad. 

István’s music studies include voice consultations with Marylyn Barber and Kristen Gregory, and vocal and choral workshops under the direction of Alan Lukas, Frank Scinta, and James Diat, as well as music and liturgy courses at Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, New York.  He has also attended music and liturgy seminars sponsored by the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and the Church Musicians Guild.  

István studied voice with Helen Rupp, MS, and conducting under Dr. Harry John Brown, orchestral director, SUNY at Fredonia, based on the Bachelor of Music curriculum offered there.  Earlier, he studied organ under the direction of James Bigham, music director of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo. He also studied contemporary guitar with Robert Zabowa and Greg Sowerda. In addition he studied trumpet under Craig Fatty, and is competent on electric bass, drums, and percussion.

István, his wife Edna, and their six children have lived in western New York since 1995. They own QuakerField Equestrian in Orchard Park New York, and enjoy skiing, hiking, horseback riding, camping, and boating.