Born in Linz, he studied composition, choral conducting, organ, and musicology at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. From 1969, he served as cantor at the Premonstratensian Abbey and director of the public music school in Schlägl, a town in southern Austria. He also taught musicology and liturgy at the Mozarteum University Salzburg.

As an organist, he performed in numerous concerts and radio broadcasts, and founded the Schlägl Organ Concerts and Schlägl Music Seminars. He won the International Organ Improvisation Competition in Haarlem (Netherlands).