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Philip Smith

About this Artist

Philip Smith is active as a performer, as a substitute organist in Palm Springs and Los Angeles, and is organist for Congregation Har-El in Palm Desert. He was appointed Organ Conservator of Walt Disney Concert Hall in July 2004 and concluded his responsibilities in August 2019. Previous work has been at Temple Judea, Tarzana; Temple Israel of Hollywood (1998–2008); and Wilshire United Methodist Church, Los Angeles (2002-2007). In June 2015, Smith was given the title of Honorary Canon of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, Los Angeles.

Smith was featured in Jennifer Zobelein’s 2006 book A Forest of Pipes, and he released a demonstration CD on the Walt Disney Concert Hall organ with Manuel Rosales, who built the famed instrument. A recent DVD, The Walt Disney Concert Hall Organ, and an expanded 10th-anniversary edition of the book are now available at the LA Phil Store.

Whether appearing as a soloist, a member of the Price/Smith Duo for trumpet and organ, or as an accompanist for choral groups in Southern California, Smith has earned bravos worldwide. He has been the organist for the LA Phil’s annual Holiday Sing-Along since 2004. He was Dean of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (2013-16, 2018).