Edward B. Hurd
Hurd is a singer and organist, with wide experience conducting around the world. A native of Portland, Ore., Hurd became a fan of music from the Baroque period at an early age. He has performed with or directed numerous early music ensembles, most notably with New York Pro Musica Antiqua, and the Northwest Bach Festival, when only original period instruments were used.
Hurd holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, where he spent four years as organist and assistant music director at First Presbyterian Church. While teaching at East Valley High School in Spokane Valley, he served as director of music ministries for Opportunity Presbyterian Church. He was full-time director of music ministries (organist/choirmaster) for First Presbyterian Church in Mesa, Ariz. while completing his graduate studies in choral conducting at Arizona State University. For ten years, he served as associate director of music and organist for All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Phoenix. He has conducted choral ensembles twice at the St. Moritz Festival (Switzerland), and numerous tours and festivals throughout England, Ireland, France, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Russia. Hurd’s principal conducting teachers include the late B. Fred Hammack, G. Gordon Leavitt, and Douglas McEwen.
While in Nebraska, Hurd served as director of traditional worship (organist/choirmaster) for the 2,500-member congregation of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in La Vista, Neb. for nine years. He was artistic director for the 200-voice community chorus, Voices of Omaha, for eight years. He was performance rentals director for Omaha Performing Arts which operates the Orpheum Theater and Holland Performing Arts Center, joining the organization as general manager in 2003.
Since returning to Spokane, Hurd was organist/bellmaster for Opportunity Presbyterian Church in Spokane Valley before joining the staff of Central Lutheran Church. He is a busy substitute teacher for Spokane Public Schools and maintains a private piano and voice teaching studio.
Hurd is a member of the National Association for Music Education and American Choral Directors Association. He is also a member of the American Guild of Organists and currently serves as Dean for the Spokane Chapter.