John French, Organist/Choirmaster of The Church of the Holy Trinity, has just announced my selection as Composer-in Residence:
On October 20th The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square will welcome Kile Smith as Composer-in-Residence. The choir will perform his anthem “Unto the Hills” a setting of Psalm 121. Over the year we will sing many more of Kile’s wonderful choral compositions. The residency will also include a lecture/performance by Mr. Smith and a newly composed choral work for the choir at CHT. Very excited about this new adventure with my good friend.
I’m delighted as can be in looking forward to working with John and the choir, with the Rector, The Rev. Alan Neale, and with the staff and of course congregation of The Church of the Holy Trinity. I’m thrilled to be a part of the ministry of this church as it leads in worship and reaches out to all people.
I’m also grateful to the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston for my residency there the past two years, which involved the use of much of my choral and service music, and culminated in the commissioning of The Chambered Nautilus.
Unto the Hills sets the popular “Sandon” hymn tune; the hymn text is based very closely on Psalm 121, the Psalm appointed for October 20. Those words are a perfect blessing on someone about to begin a journey, and so I feel it’s appropriate that John chose this anthem to inaugurate the residency.
Above thee watching, He whom we adore
Shall keep thee henceforth, yea, forevermore.
Congratulations, Kile. Such an honor and blessing for you and for the Church of the Holy
Trinity. As always, I am so proud of you and your work and your life. Love, Mom
Thank you, Mom, see you tomorrow! Kile