David Hurd

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David Hurd (born 1950) is a composer, concert organist, choral director and educator.

He is a Professor of Sacred Music and Director of Chapel Music at the General Theological Seminary, Chelsea, New York City. He is also the Music Director at the Church of the Holy Apostles, also in Chelsea.

Dr. Hurd has held several church staff positions including Assistant Organist, Trinity Church, and Director of Music at both the Church of the Intercession and All Saints' Church, both in Manhattan. His mass setting Intercession Mass is used by many congregations across the United States. With over 100 choral and organ works in print, his compositions have appeared in numerous recordings in both the United States and England. Dr. Hurd is regularly sought out by congregations and organizations seeking to commission new anthems and organ works. Significant premieres have included: "Gloria, gloria," for 4-part choir and instrumental accompaniment, commissioned by the Boy's Choir of Harlem, and premiered at Avery Fisher Hall; "O the Depth of Love Divine," for 4-part choir, brass and organ, commissioned by The Rt. Rev. Neil Alexander, Bishop of Atlanta, and premiered at his consecration; and "Arioso & Final" for organ, commissioned by the Queens Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The most recent major work is "Sonata for Saxophone and Organ," commissioned by the Hall-Powers Duo, and premiered in Ljubljana, Slovenia at the International Saxophone Congress in 2006.

Dr. Hurd attended the High School of Music and Art, the Juilliard School and Oberlin College. He holds honorary doctorates from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, and Church Divinity School of the Pacific, given in recognition of his contributions to Sacred Music. In 1977 he received first prizes in both Organ Performance and in Organ Improvisation from the International Congress of Organists, being the only person to ever win both prizes in the same year.

Dr. Hurd's sacred compositions can be found in many hymnals, including the Episcopal Hymnal, 1982.