A Letter from the Rector

Dear Church of the Incarnation,

It is my very great pleasure to announce that the search for a director of traditional music has come to a successful completion. Our new Director of Music and Organist is Mr. Christopher “Kit” Jacobson.

A celebrated organist and choral conductor, Kit Jacobson has held several notable positions prior to coming to Incarnation. At Washington National Cathedral, he assisted in training and accompanying the choirs of Men and Boys and Men and Girls, directed services for the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and was one of the organists for the State Funeral of President Gerald Ford. At Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, SC, he helped build a sizeable children’s chorister program and led the cathedral choirs. And at Duke University Chapel, he founded the Duke Evensong Singers and the Duke Chapel Organ Scholar program and served as the principal organist for Chapel services and concerts.

I am happy to report that Kit will begin his ministry among us in Holy Week.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Kit Jacobson is deeply devoted to the liturgical worship and the rich musical tradition of the Anglican and Episcopal Church. He has trained choirs in sacred music from Gregorian Chant to contemporary commissioned works, and enjoys working with both modern and period orchestras.

He has performed the Complete Organ Works of Johann Sebastian Bach across the United States, presented recitals on four continents, and won multiple awards for organ performance. He records with the European record label Pentatone, and he was nominated for three Grammy awards for his work with conductor Brian A. Schmidt and the South Dakota Chorale’s world-premiere recording of Marcel Tyberg’s Two Choral Masses.

Kit studied organ performance at St. Olaf College and the Eastman School of Music, and he is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO). He has led national and international choir tours; he is an experienced teacher at the collegiate level; and he has extensive leadership and administrative experience.

As befits a member of our ministry leadership team, Kit is committed to the theological and pastoral ministry of the Church, and particularly the combination of high musical culture and orthodox theology, such as we celebrate at Incarnation. He is noted for building strong and supportive communities of musicians, and he is beloved by those who sing for him. In his spare time, Kit enjoys sailing, marathon running, Chicago Cubs baseball, and model railroading. His railroads and articles have been published in Model Railroader Magazine and Model Railroad Craftsman. 

This search has involved the generous support of many people! Let me express my profound thanks to the Search Committee for its dedicated work over the past several months: Shannon Bradford, Scott Cantrell, Claire Clyne, David Krause, Keith Lathrom, and Matthew Pool, with the faithful assistance of Gay Hayslett. I am extremely grateful to our interim music directors, Graham Schultz and Monica Awbrey, who have led and continue to lead our traditional music so beautifully during the intervening months. And above all, I am grateful for the Incarnation Choir, who have patiently endured a long season of change and uncertainty while they continued to lead us in the praises of God with such glorious and inspiring music.

Under Kit Jacobson’s leadership, the future of Incarnation’s traditional music program is very bright indeed. I look forward to many years of shared ministry with Kit, as we conduct services that feed and sustain Christ’s Church, make our worship Spirit-filled, and give glory to God the Father.

You may enjoy viewing Kit’s personal website where you can learn more about his work and watch videos of his organ playing and choral conducting.

Kit and his wife, Mary Grey Jacobson, are the parents of a four-year-old daughter, Finley. As they move from North Carolina to Dallas, they look forward to becoming active and involved members of the Incarnation church community. Kit has written a letter of greeting to us, which I have copied below.

Please join me in warmly welcoming the Jacobsons to Dallas and Church of the Incarnation!

Yours in Christ’s service,

The Rev. Dr. Christopher A. Beeley

Dear Incarnation Parish,

I am thrilled to be joining you soon as your next Director of Music and Organist. I have long admired Incarnation's storied musical tradition, its fine choir, and beautiful liturgy. The rare confluence of these pillars of sacred music have been an inspiration throughout my career. Incarnation's standard of excellence in liturgy, choral, and organ music stands out with distinction within the broader Episcopal Church, and I am excited to build upon the firm foundation of my illustrious predecessors, stewarding Incarnation's liturgical music into the future.  

In my office currently hangs a print of Psalm 115, which begins with the stirring words, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give the praise." The music we make together as a choir and congregation serves this purpose: to glorify God. In so doing, sacred music brings us to the threshold of worship, giving glimpses of the beauty of holiness. It is with humility and pleasure that I look forward to making music with you all for years to come.  

As my wife, Mary Grey, and our four-year-old daughter, Finley, relocate to Dallas, we are thrilled to get to know you personally. We look forward to making many new friends and becoming part of the beloved community of Church of the Incarnation.

With joyful gratitude,

Kit