About

David Adam Smith

Revitalizing the Sacred Art of Catholic Music

David Adam Smith (DAS) is a modern-day composer with an extraordinary commitment to renewing the timeless art of sacred music. With an impressive foundation in both classical and sacred music traditions, he is dedicated to creating compositions that transcend time and resonate deeply with listeners. His work is steeped in the beauty of the Catholic liturgical tradition, rooted in the forms and harmonies of Gregorian chant and polyphony. Through his compositions, DAS strives to offer a sanctuary from the noise of modern life, crafting music that elevates the mind and soul, drawing people into a deeper, more reflective environment.

“As a composer, my deepest calling is to renew the Catholic tradition by creating beautiful Mass settings that elevate our souls to God. Through sacred music, we transcend the noise of this world and intimately encounter the Divine.”

David Adam Smith // Sacred Music Composer

Classically Trained and Guided by Faith

David’s journey as a musician began in New York City, where he trained under the late Giampaolo Bracali at the Manhattan School of Music. This formal training laid the groundwork for his career, as he studied under respected mentors in both composition and organ. He earned his undergraduate degree in organ performance, followed by a Master’s degree in composition, fostering a profound appreciation for the structural and expressive aspects of both disciplines.

During this time, he also studied under Dr. Paul-Martin Maki, honing his skill as an organist and deepening his understanding of liturgical music. By the Grace of God he embraced the Catholic faith at 24, a conversion experience that has since become a guiding force in his life and music.

A Rural Sanctuary for Composing Timeless Works

David and his wife currently reside on a former dairy farm in Eastern Pennsylvania, where he recently installed his own pipe organ. This setting, removed from the distractions of the city, provides him with the quietude and inspiration he seeks for his work. In his rural home, David continues to compose, rehearse, and record pieces that honor the sacred and serve as an offering to the tradition he holds dear. With every piece, David Adam Smith invites listeners to experience a beauty that is both timeless and profoundly resonant, extending the legacy of sacred music for generations to come.

Links and short bibliography:

The Portrait of DAS is by the American painter, Thomas Torak:   https://www.thomastorak.com/about

Anyone wishing to better understanding Modernism, might consider the essay by Mark Anthony Signorelli and Nikos A. Salingaros: https://www.newenglishreview.org/articles/the-tyranny-of-artistic-modernism/

The theorist and composer, Dr. Jacob Gran demonstrates a most remarkable example of counterpoint written in our time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rD9rLYZqHw.  His Internet course on “Species Counterpoint” is well done:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z08lTYclpps&list=PL6Towqbh0pdqwwHt3sWYwTj98qIqcqCrn

The renown American painter and teacher Frank Mason (1921-2009): https://www.frankmason.org