Meet Ed Hurd, Interim Minister of Music

During Dana Sloan's sabbatical we are happy to welcome Ed Hurd as our Interim Minister of Music.

Ed is a familiar face at Presbyterian Church of the Cross; he has played and conducted during summer worship services for the past few years.  Ed is a native of Portland, Oregon where he began his formal music education at age 6 with the studies in piano and organ.  He was awarded his first post as a church organist while still in eighth grade, a position he held through high school.

Ed has worked as a church musician for the PCUSA for many years.  While an undergraduate, Ed served as organist and youth choir director at First Presbyterian Church – Ellensburg, Washington for four years. While teaching high school music in Spokane, he was director of music ministries for Opportunity Presbyterian Church two years where he established their thriving handbell program.  While in Arizona, he was full-time director of music ministries (organist/choir master) for First Presbyterian Church of Mesa for eight years. During his tenure in Mesa, Ed conducted two choral ensembles, developed handbell playing into a graded program for five choirs, and was instrumental in the selection and installation of a 38 rank/28 stop mechanical action Visser-Rowland pipe organ.

Since moving to Omaha in February 2003, as general manager and currently director of performance rentals for Omaha Performing Arts, Ed has become very involved in the local music scene.  He is currently director of traditional worship (organist/choirmaster) for Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church and is artistic director for Voices of Omaha, conducting their annual performance of Messiah with orchestra at the Holland Performing Arts Center.  He is an active member of the American Guild of Organists Omaha Chapter.

Ed holds a bachelor of education degree (choral music emphasis) from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, and completed his master’s studies in choral conducting at Arizona State University, Tempe, under the legendary Douglas McEwen.  Welcome, Ed!