Kurt Kaiser
Kurt Kaiser was a legendary figure in church music. For over forty years, he influenced modern day church music and helped usher in a new era in American Christian music. Accordingly, Kurt was inducted into the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame.
Crossing denominational boundaries, Kurt's compositions found their way into many church hymnals. He achieved subtle trend changes by maintaining sensitivity to music already widely accepted by the church, yet also managed to move into new and unexplored areas that broadened the realm of worshipful, sacred music. His Lost Art of Listening project was hailed as one of the finest recorded works created.
Best known for the songs Pass It On and Oh How He Loves You and Me, Kurt composed traditional church music. He conducted intensive choral workshops and was a highly respected producer and arranger for both national and international artists, including serving as accompanist to singer George Beverly Shea during many Billy Graham Crusades and other appearances. Kurt served a term as President of the Waco Symphony Association. In 1992 ASCAP awarded Kurt a special Lifetime Achievement Award. He received an Honorary Doctor of Sacred Music degree from Trinity College in Illinois and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Baylor University. Kurt recorded sixteen solo albums at the piano and he received a Dove Award for the recording titled Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs.
During over four decades Kurt had more than 200 songs published, one being a Christmas piece, One Quiet Night which was premiered by the Waco Symphony Orchestra. Kurt was invited to Sweden at the request of the United States Ambassador to perform at a gala Christmas gathering of guests and dignitaries at the prestigious Museum of History in Stockholm. Kurt arranged and prepared a variety of musical selections for the evening's performance, and shared the stage with a gifted soprano and a string quartet. In his inimitable way, Kurt described the warm, yet festive atmosphere of the evening as "Not like tinsel, but like candlelight – or the sparkle in someone's eye."
Kurt's timeless compositions have helped ensure that music in its purest form will continue to be embraced in the American church worship experience.
