David Ashley White, who began attending services at Palmer Episcopal Church in 1975 and was confirmed there in 1978, has been named the parish’s composer-in-residence, thanks to a gift from an anonymous supporter. He, the Palmer Choir, and Brady Knapp, Director of Music, have enjoyed a fruitful musical association for a number of years, and a notable result is the CD, Praise the Spirit: Sacred Music of David Ashley White (Gothic label, G-49254), comprising a number of the composer’s anthems, motets, and hymns. A second recording, So the day dawn, music for Choral Evensong and Concert, was released on the Gothic and Naxos labels in May of 2016.
A seventh-generation Texan, White is a Professor of Composition in the Moores School of Music, University of Houston, serving as director of the school, and holding the Margaret M. Alkek & Margaret Alkek Williams Endowed Chair, from 1999-2014. In 2010, Houston mayor, Annise Parker, appointed him to the board of the Houston Arts Alliance, and he continues in that position. He has long played an active role in Houston’s musical scene, composing works for various groups, including the choirs of Palmer Church, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and Christ Church Cathedral, as well as Houston Chamber Choir, Houston Masterworks Chorus, the Concert Chorale from the Moores School and the University Singers from the University of St. Thomas. His music is frequently performed nationally and internationally, and practically his entire catalog of works is published, including four collections of his hymns. His hymns also appear in various denominational publications, including the hymnals of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Episcopal churches. The latter, The Hymnal 1982, includes his hymn tune PALMER CHURCH, composed in 1981 in honor of his home parish.
White earned degrees from the University of Houston (Bachelor of Music in oboe performance and Master of Music in Composition) and the University of Texas at Austin (Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition).
Mary was assigned to serve at Palmer as Deacon beginning in August 2025. She graduated from the Iona School of Ministry and was ordained in June 2015. Before coming to Palmer she served at Ascension; St Andrews in Pearland and San Romero. She graduated from University of Missouri-St Louis with a BA in English Literature Summa Cum Laude. She has been married to her husband Max for over 55 years, and they have three grown children. For over 45 years she managed her husband’s medical office and enjoyed a rich life of volunteering. She recently retired from working with Houston ReVision for 16 years working with gang affected and adjudicated youth specializing in programing with teen females in lockdown facilities as well as Jubilee Ministries with incarcerated adult women. She loves to needlepoint, quilt and most things related to needles as well as organizing, writing and cooking.