As conductor, Mr. Hart has led full orchestral performances of such choral masterpieces as Bach’s Mass in B minor, Mozart’s Requiem and Solemn Vespers, Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum, Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis and Rossini’s Stabat Mater. A frequent transcriptionist of oratorios, he has performed many of these large works on the organ, including Brahm’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and St. Paul, Handel’s Messiah and Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem. Known also as a gifted pianist, accompanist and vocal coach, he has collaborated with Metropolitan Opera stars Mimi Lerner, Myrna Paris and Heidi Skok. Connecticut opera singer Jennifer Barron states that Mr. Hart “is the most gifted pianist and organist I have ever worked with.” Equally at home in the realm of musical theater, Mr. Hart co-produced a revue of the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein with Broadway conductor Wendy Bobbitt (The Who's Tommy and Scarlet Pimpernel), and he served as obbligato keyboardist for 38 performances of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George under Maestro Keith Lockhart, Conductor of the Boston Pops.

A former National Treasurer and Regional Councillor of the American Guild of Organists, he is a Fellow of that organization and received the highest score nationally in the Associateship exam. In expressing his gratitude for his dedication to the work of the A.G.O., former President James Moeser stated that Mr. Hart had “provided valuable service to the Guild as its Treasurer, as the Councillor for Region III, and in his special efforts with regard to the Detroit National Convention. His insights into the financial structure of the Guild were critical.”

As a young student, he was an honors graduate of St. Edmund’s Academy where he was the recipient of the prestigious Veeder Award, and he later graduated from Shady Side Academy. Mr. Hart earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and later was appointed a member of its eminent music faculty where he served until 1990. He also presided as College Organist and Organ Instructor for the Laboratory School of Music at Chatham College from 1984 to 1991. His organ teachers include Donald Wilkins, Robert Anderson and Frederick Swann, who observes that Hart “is an exceptional performer.” Among his numerous honors and awards, he was the recipient of the Tuesday Musical Club scholarship for three successive years. Robert Croan, writer for Opera News, refers to Hart’s “technical virtuosity on the organ and other keyboard instruments. Most significant, perhaps, is his consummate musical comprehension, years of experience and a total dedication to the art of music.”

Hailed as a skilled improvisateur, Mr. Hart has played concerts, led workshops and taught master-classes for conventions and chapters of the American Guild of Organists, the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and other denominational organizations. For 19 years, Mr. Hart served the well-known Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, first as Assistant Organist under the tutelage of his mentor, Russell G. Wichmann. He later assumed the duties of Organist and Director of Music in 1987 where he led one of the nation’s distinguished music programs. Regarding his tenure at Shadyside Church, Pastor Emeritus Dr. F. Morgan Roberts says of Mr. Hart, “His musical abilities are extraordinary -- he is at the very top of my list of the very few and very finest staff members with whom it has been my privilege to work across the 49 years of my ministry.”

Mr. Hart has also served as Artist-in-Residence at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Highland Park, Pittsburgh. When his duties were fulfilled, a chorister expressed that “the St. Andrew’s Choir has loved singing under the direction of David Hart and has been awed by his brilliance as organist. David is truly a musical genius as an organist, director and scholar of sacred music.” Following Mr. Hart’s engagement as Director of Music at Oakmont Presbyterian Church, Senior Pastor Dr. Stephen M. Wilson remarked that “David’s musical gifts are unequalled in my experience. For all his musical gifts and his accomplishments, David is a caring, humble person of faith. He was accepted and loved by our choirs as well as the program and support staff.”

In 2000, Mr. Hart was appointed American Artist for the Johannus Orgelbouw of the Netherlands and has released a CD of the organ builder’s Monarke Series. Mr. Hart resides in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Reviews

“Brilliant”

–The New York Times
 

“A passionate and flawless performance – concluding with a stunning improvisation on a submitted theme”

–The Diapason
 

“J. David Hart’s recital at Third Presbyterian Church was most impressive”

–The American Organist
 

“David Hart is a splendid organist”

–Pittsburgh Press
 

“Spine-tingling performance by guest organist J. David Hart”

–The Mendelssohn
 

“We were awed by the perfect marriage of organ and orchestra – most passionate”

–Johnstown Tribune-Democrat
 

“Spectacular virtuosity”

–Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 

“Mr. Hart is a brilliant recitalist . . . a consummate musician and organist”

–The Concordia Connection
 

“Yesterday’s concert was a virtual compendium of the organist’s repertory – from Bach and Mozart through the romantic and contemporary literature – culminating in an improvisation on a submitted theme, something Hart does with extraordinary facility and inventiveness.”

–Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Contact details and further information

E-mail J. David Hart

For further details, see J. David Hart's website