David Hurd

Bio

Since 1976, David Hurd served as Organist and Director of Chapel Music and Professor of Church Music at the General Theological Seminary, New York City, until exiting the position in June of 2015.

David is a native New Yorker, attending both the High School of Music and Art and the Juilliard School, before finishing at Oberlin College. His principal graduate work was undertaken in Organ Performance at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He has served as Assistant Organist of Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel, and as Director of Music at the Church of the Intercession, All Saints Church and the Church of the Holy Apostles. He is currently Organist and Music Director at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Times Square. In 1977, he received first prize in both organ performance and in organ improvisation from the International Congress of Organists — the only person to ever win both prizes in the same year. He received the Distinguished Composer recognition of the American Guild of Organists in 2010.

David regularly works with congregations and organizations seeking to commission new anthems and organ works. Below are a list of his works:

• "Gloria, Gloria," for 4-part choir and instrumental accompaniment, was commissioned by the Boys Choir of Harlem and premiered at Avery Fisher Hall
• "O the Depth of Love Divine," for 4-part choir, brass and organ, was commissioned by The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, Bishop of Atlanta and premiered at his consecration
• “In Honor of Martin,” a Musical Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Five Movements, originally for five voices, piano, bass & percussion, was commissioned in 2005 by Rejoicensemble for their 20th Anniversary Celebration and premiered in fully orchestrated form by the Dessoff Choirs at Alice Tully Hall in November 2016
• "Sonata for Saxophone and Organ" was commissioned by the Hall-Powers Duo and premiered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, at the International Saxophone Congress in 2006
• “Three Psalms,” for chorus and two organs, was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists, for its 2010 National Convention and premiered at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

He holds honorary doctorates from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Church Divinity School of the Pacific and the University of the South, in recognition of his contributions to sacred music.

His most recent collection, O the Depth of Love Divine, features choral compositions, some with organ accompaniments, and utilizes classic texts that can be implemented throughout the liturgical year.