Russell Litchfield has served as an organist or choir director continuously since 1972. Russ began organ study in high school with L. Robert Slusser. He attended Whittier College where he earned a B.A. in Music Performance (Organ) and studied organ with David Britton and Orpha Ochse and voice with Jerold Shepherd. Russ currently serves as Director of Music and Organist at First Friends Church, A Quaker Meeting, in Whittier, California. Prior to that, he served Lutheran, Episcopal, and  U.C.C. churches. After around 15 years in the retail print church music business, working with Marita Young, and 8 years of accompanying in high schools, Russ was secretary for the Music Department at Whittier College for 14+ years. 

He regularly plays music by his favorite composer, J.S. Bach, but likes a wide spectrum of music, from Gregorian Chant to music from Tuva, from musical theatre to jazz and other popular music. Russ has accompanied many singers, instrumentalists and choirs, including Chorale Bel Canto under Stephen Gothold, and has been active as pianist or music director for more than 30 musicals or plays, including Camelot, Oklahoma, Pippin, Side by Side by Sondheim, and Working, his favorite musical. Russ continues to be an  accompanist for New Century Singers and is a past adjudicator for their Vocal Scholarship Auditions. 

Russ identifies as a Quaker, though he has an ecumenical spirit. Russ is an avid builder of model cars and trains.