The Composer and Educator The Composer and Educator

• Born on January 8Born on January 8thth, 1792, 1792

• Place of birth Medfield, Norfolk County, Place of birth Medfield, Norfolk County, MassachusettsMassachusetts

• Died August 11, 1872 in Orange, New Died August 11, 1872 in Orange, New JerseyJersey

• Showed intense interest in music as a Showed intense interest in music as a child.child.

Early Musical Life Early Musical Life

• At the age of 13 he received training in At the age of 13 he received training in a singing school run by Amos Albeea singing school run by Amos Albee

• Also studied with Oliver Shaw, a blind Also studied with Oliver Shaw, a blind composer of hymns and ballads.composer of hymns and ballads.

• Also studied with F.L. Abel, improving to Also studied with F.L. Abel, improving to the point where he began to compose the point where he began to compose his own music. his own music.

Everday lifeEverday life• Lived in Savannah, Georgia for 15 years.Lived in Savannah, Georgia for 15 years.• He was working as a bank clerk.He was working as a bank clerk.• He directed a choir and led town bands.He directed a choir and led town bands.• He continued to conduct choirs and play He continued to conduct choirs and play

the organ in churches until 1827.the organ in churches until 1827.• Numerous publishers from Philadelphia Numerous publishers from Philadelphia

and Boston rejected his early work. and Boston rejected his early work. • Later on went to sell 50,000 copies and his Later on went to sell 50,000 copies and his

music was adopted by singing schools in music was adopted by singing schools in New England and church choirs.New England and church choirs.

Everyday Life? Cont.Everyday Life? Cont.

• In 1822 he was accepted by the Handel and In 1822 he was accepted by the Handel and Hayden Society of Boston, Massachusetts.Hayden Society of Boston, Massachusetts.

• His first collection of hymns and anthems was His first collection of hymns and anthems was published in 1822.published in 1822.

• In 1826 he returned to Boston after seeing the In 1826 he returned to Boston after seeing the success of his work. success of his work.

• He became the director of music at Hanover, He became the director of music at Hanover, Green, and Park Street churches alternating six Green, and Park Street churches alternating six months with each churchmonths with each church

• He made a permanent arrangement with the He made a permanent arrangement with the Bowdoin Street Church.Bowdoin Street Church.

Musical notesMusical notes

• From 1827 to 1832 he was the president and music From 1827 to 1832 he was the president and music director of the Boston Handel and Hayden Society.director of the Boston Handel and Hayden Society.

• In 1827 in Boston he became the first music teacher In 1827 in Boston he became the first music teacher in an American public schoolin an American public school

• In 1833 he co-founded the Boston Academy of Music.In 1833 he co-founded the Boston Academy of Music.• In 1838 to 1845 he became the music superintendent In 1838 to 1845 he became the music superintendent

for the Boston school system.for the Boston school system.• He took off a year and traveled to Europe. He He took off a year and traveled to Europe. He

observed their educational system and lecturing on observed their educational system and lecturing on congregational singing and his theories of musical congregational singing and his theories of musical education.education.

Musical Notes cont.Musical Notes cont.

• In 1855 he was awarded an honorary doctorate In 1855 he was awarded an honorary doctorate in music from New York University.in music from New York University.

• He devoted his later years primarily to He devoted his later years primarily to compiling collections of music for religious and compiling collections of music for religious and educational purposes and to writing and educational purposes and to writing and teaching.teaching.

• He wrote over 1,600 religious works and is often He wrote over 1,600 religious works and is often called the “father of American church music.”called the “father of American church music.”

• By 1872 he had published over 48 collections of By 1872 he had published over 48 collections of hymns and anthems, over 11 secular hymns and anthems, over 11 secular collections, and at least 17 children’s collections collections, and at least 17 children’s collections and musical exercise books. and musical exercise books.

Some musical piecesSome musical pieces

• Nearer My God to TheeNearer My God to Thee

• My Faith Looks Up to TheeMy Faith Looks Up to Thee

• From Greenland’s Icy MountainsFrom Greenland’s Icy Mountains

• The Choir, or Union collection of The Choir, or Union collection of Church Music, 1832Church Music, 1832

• Union Hymns,Union Hymns, with Rufus Babcock, Jr. with Rufus Babcock, Jr. (Boston, Mass. 1834)(Boston, Mass. 1834)

Works CitedWorks Cited

• http://www.Cyberhymnal.org/bio/m/a/http://www.Cyberhymnal.org/bio/m/a/s/mason_1.htms/mason_1.htm

• http://www.answers.com/topic/lowell-http://www.answers.com/topic/lowell-masonmason