In Richmond, Virginia, at the sanctuary at Reveille United Methodist Church, a young boy was inspired and enlightened by the symphony of the organ, piano, handbells and song. Little did he know that at age 21, he’s going to play the organ at Notre Dame in Paris.
William Bullock grew up surrounded by music, and it never felt optional. He and his two brothers went to the same music lesson each week.
“All three of my brothers studied piano,” he said. “But most of my inspiration came from the church I was in. I’ve always just been drawn to music from that standpoint.”
That early immersion led him to discover the instrument that would become his anchor: the organ. For Bullock, the organ was never just another instrument, it was a force.
“We had a church with crazy good acoustics and a great organ,” he said. “You have the power at the organ to conduct an entire symphony of instruments by yourself and to lead others around. I liked that sense of leading with power to inspire others.”
Within Reveille Methodist Church, he made an impact on organist Thomas Lee Bailey.
“As an organist, of course I’m delighted to help further the ambitions of someone interested in my profession,” Bailey said. “William is one of those rare artists who will be successful in any musical profession he chooses.”
When Bullock arrived at Southern Methodist University, he found a home in the Meadows School of the Arts. Majoring in Organ Performance, he immediately plugged into the Dallas church network, playing at the Wesley House on Tuesday nights before being invited to Highland Park United Methodist Church.
The shift was staggering.
“Highland Park’s church is massive,” he said. “Just to be there, playing on that stage with fully professional equipment in front of a few hundred people, it felt like the biggest stage I’d been on.”
Nerves are part of any performance, but Bullock carries a philosophy.
“I believe there is no such thing as being nervous. There is only unprepared,” he said. “That was drilled into me when I was studying violin pretty rigorously. I had someone who was more strict on me about practicing, and I still think about that today.”
At SMU, Bullock’s weeks are a balance of rehearsals with the Meadows Chamber Singers, private practice sessions on piano and organ, fraternity responsibilities and even a stint on the Club Pickleball team. He jokes that he lives in three different worlds at once.
“I have a BA in Organ Performance, and I’m minoring in Business Energy Management and Chinese,” he said. “Three sides of the universe. All very different. But I’m blessed to be at SMU and study both a career path and a passion.”
Bullock’s education has not been confined to Dallas. Two summers ago, he toured Germany with his professor, Stefan Engels, performing in centuries-old cathedrals. The trip deepened his reverence for the instrument’s role in history.
“We played massive cathedrals, very historic organs, some hundreds of years old,” he said. “And this summer, I’m going to play the Notre Dame organ, which survived the fire. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
He credits Engels for opening these doors.
“The organ world is fairly small, and my professor has been playing his entire life. He’s internationally known, but more importantly, he’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever worked with,” Bullock said. “It’s basically like Albus Dumbledore on the organ. He knows all the colors, how to blend everything, and he’s always giving master classes.”
The Methodist church gave Bullock more than just technical skills. It shaped the way he thinks about the purpose of music. Famed composer Mark Miller has inspired Bullock, through his creative works and mindset.
“He says that music is the embodiment of hope, love, justice, everything,” he said. When I’m trying to convey something to people through music, that’s what I’m trying to get across. That life is about hope and love and everything.”
That outlook, he says, bleeds into his everyday life.
“I try to be a diplomat, if you will. I always figure out how to calm a situation before escalating it further. I try to handle things without anger or violence,” he said. “That comes from the way I grew up in church choirs, learning how lyrics and music go together. It shaped how I treat people.”
Founder and director of Greenspring International Music Academy Lynelle Ediger emphasized these qualities in Bullock, which he witnessed firsthand.
“With his fellow musicians he is collaborative, sensitive and encouraging,” Ediger said. “In all facets, from musical preparation to performance to collaboration, William exhibits a professionalism and maturity well beyond his years.”
Bullock is quick to acknowledge that his future may not be solely behind the organ bench. Last summer, he interned in the energy sector, preparing for a career in business.
But music will never be far away.
“Music has a very big influence on my motivations in the workplace,” he said. “It reflects my personality, and I’ll take that into any company culture I walk into. Music is spiritual and emotional, and it will always stay with me, even if my full-time job is in energy.”
He has even dreamed about blending his worlds, maybe one day playing the organ for the Los Angeles Dodgers, his favorite baseball team.
“I potentially have plans to meet the Dodgers’ organist,” Bullock said. “Would it be something I consider? Maybe. But even if not, music will always be a passion and always will be.”
When Bullock thought about what legacy he wanted to leave behind at SMU, he paused. For him, it is not about a single recital or performance, though he plans to give a senior organ recital next semester. It is about showing that a student can be many things at once.
“I want my mark to be that you can have multiple passions and accomplish a lot of things, especially at a school like SMU,” he said. “I’m studying three different sides of the universe, and I’m still able to do everything else this school has to offer”.
Bullock’s story is not just about mastering the mechanics of stops and pedals. It is about how music has given him a framework to live by. In the sanctuary or the classroom, at the piano or in a business meeting, he carries the same belief that music instilled in him as a child: that hope, love and justice can always be made audible.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify the number of Bullock’s brothers and correct the spelling of Stefan Engels’ last name in the featured photo.
