Person Results

Switch back to the old search page.Advanced Search

Showing 1 - 10 of 12Results Per Page: 10 20 50

William B. Bradbury

1816 - 1868 Person Name: W. B. Bradbury Composer of "LITTLE PILGRIM" in The Home and School Hymnal William Bachelder Bradbury USA 1816-1868. Born at York, ME, he was raised on his father's farm, with rainy days spent in a shoe-shop, the custom in those days. He loved music and spent spare hours practicing any music he could find. In 1830 the family moved to Boston, where he first saw and heard an organ and piano, and other instruments. He became an organist at 15. He attended Dr. Lowell Mason's singing classes, and later sang in the Bowdoin Street church choir. Dr. Mason became a good friend. He made $100/yr playing the organ, and was still in Dr. Mason's choir. Dr. Mason gave him a chance to teach singing in Machias, ME, which he accepted. He returned to Boston the following year to marry Adra Esther Fessenden in 1838, then relocated to Saint John, New Brunswick. Where his efforts were not much appreciated, so he returned to Boston. He was offered charge of music and organ at the First Baptist Church of Brooklyn. That led to similar work at the Baptist Tabernacle, New York City, where he also started a singing class. That started singing schools in various parts of the city, and eventually resulted in music festivals, held at the Broadway Tabernacle, a prominent city event. He conducted a 1000 children choir there, which resulted in music being taught as regular study in public schools of the city. He began writing music and publishing it. In 1847 he went with his wife to Europe to study with some of the music masters in London and also Germany. He attended Mendelssohn funeral while there. He went to Switzerland before returning to the states, and upon returning, commenced teaching, conducting conventions, composing, and editing music books. In 1851, with his brother, Edward, he began manufacturring Bradbury pianos, which became popular. Also, he had a small office in one of his warehouses in New York and often went there to spend time in private devotions. As a professor, he edited 59 books of sacred and secular music, much of which he wrote. He attended the Presbyterian church in Bloomfield, NJ, for many years later in life. He contracted tuberculosis the last two years of his life. John Perry

W. A. Ogden

1841 - 1897 Person Name: William A. Ogden Author of "Our Little Band" William Augustine Ogden USA 1841-1897. Born at Franklin County, OH, his family moved to IN when he was age six. He studied music in local singing schools at age 8, and by age 10 could read church music fairly well. Later, he could write out a melody by hearing it sung or played. He enlisted in the American Civil War in the 30th IN Volunteer Infantry. During the war he organized a male choir which became well known throughout the Army of the Cumberland. After the war, he returned home, resumed music study, and taught school. He married Jennie V Headington, and they had two children: Lowell and Marian. He worked for the Iowa Normal School, Toledo Public School System. Among his teachers: Lowell Mason, Thomas Hastings, E E Baily and B F Baker, president of the Boston Music School. He wrote many hymns, both lyrics and/or music. He later issued his first song book, “The silver song” (1870). It became quite popular, selling 500,000 copies. He went on to publish other song books. Ogden also taught music at many schools in the U S and Canada. In 1887 he became superintendent of music in the public schools of Toledo, OH. His works include: “New silver songs for Sunday school” (1872), “Crown of life” (1875), “Notes of victory” (1885), “The way of life” (1886), “Gathering jewels” (1886). He was known as a very enthusiastic person in his work and a very congenial one as well. He died at Toledo, OH. John Perry

T. C. O'Kane

1830 - 1912 Author of "Jesus loves our pilgrim band" in Every Sabbath O'Kane, Tullius Clinton, an American writer, born March 10, 1830, is the author of "O sing of Jesus, Lamb of God" (Redemption); and "Who, who are these beside the chilly wave?" (Triumph in Death), in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, 1878 and 1881. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907) =========================== Tullius Clinton O'Kane was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 10, 1830. He resided with his parents in this vicinity until the spring of 1849, when he went to Delaware, Ohio, and entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he graduated in 1852, with the degree A. B., and received his A. M. degree three years later from his Alma Mater. Immediately upon his graduation, he was tendered a position in the Faculty as Tutor of Mathematics, which he accepted and successfully filled for five years. The students always called him "Professor," by which title he is known to the present day. His musical abilities were early recognized in the University, and for years he was the musical precentor in the daily chapel devotions. He organized and maintained a Choral Society in the College, and was the first musical instructor in the Ohio Wesleyan Female College, which a few years ago was incorporated into the University. In 1857 he was elected to a principalship in the Cincinnati public schools, and served in that capacity until 1861, when he resigned his position to accept a place in the piano establishment of Philip Phillips & Co. He remained with this house until its removal to New York City in 1867, when, although urged to be transferred with the house to that city, he preferred to remove with his family back to Delaware, Ohio. For the ensuing six years he traveled over the state of Ohio as the general agent for the Smith American Organ Co., of Boston, Mass. During this time he visited conferences, Sunday-school conventions, both State and County, introducing his Sunday-school singing books, and in this way became well known throughout his native state, and quite extensively in some of the adjoining states. His musical compositions were first published in Philip Phillips' Musical Leaves, in 1865, and since then but few Sunday-school singing books have appeared without one or more of his compositions. His first music book, Fresh Leaves, was issued in 1868. This was followed at intervals by Dew Drops, Songs of Worship, Every Sabbath, Jasper and Gold, Redeemer's Praise, Glorious Things and Morning Stars. In connection with his son, Edward T. O'Kane, who is himself a most excellent composer and a very skillful organist, in 1882 he issued Selected Anthems, a book designed for use by the more advanced choirs. In association with J. R. Sweney and "Chaplain" McCabe, he issued Joy to the World, a song book for prayer-meetings, and the same editors, with the addition of W. J. Kirkpatrick, compiled Songs of Redeeming Love, No. 1, in 1882, and No. 2 in 1884. He also issued Songs of Praises, Unfading Treasures and Forward Songs. Some of Professor O'Kane's best known songs are Glorious Fountain, The Home Over There, On Jordan's Stormy Banks, Say, are You Ready? and many others. With Mr. O'Kane, music and musical composition have ever been a recreation, rather than a profession. He is an excellent leader of choirs, but his forte seems to be in leading large congregations, Sunday-schools and social religious meetings in sacred song. He sings "with the spirit and the understanding also " — with a due appreciation of both words and music — and very naturally infuses his enthusiasm into his audiences so that they cannot "keep from singing." In his music he endeavors to catch the spirit of the hymn, and then give it expression in the music he composes for it. This sometimes seems to have been almost an inspiration, and could be illustrated by a reference to the circumstances under which many of his compositions have been made. One of his earlier and more widely known pieces is that entitled, Over There. He says he cut this hymn out of some newspaper and put it with others in his portfolio, intending some time when he felt like it to give it a musical setting. One Sunday afternoon, after studying his lesson for the next session of his Sunday-school, he opened his portfolio, and turning over the selections, found these words, and something seemed to say, "Now's your time." He sat down at the organ, studied the hymn intently for a few moments, and then, as his fingers touched the keys of the instrument, melody and harmony were in every movement, and when the stanza was ended, melody and harmony found their expression in the chorus, and Over There was finished. Another of his well known songs is Sweeping Through the Gates. One cold, blustery day he had occasion to go from his residence to the railroad depot, about a mile distant, and in his route had to cross the river on a suspension foot-bridge. As he came down to the bridge, he thought of the "river of death," so cold, with no bridge, and then the words of the dying Cookman came to his mind, and he exclaimed to himself: 'Who, who are these beside the chilly wave? " Words, melody and refrain seemed to come all at once and all together, so that by the time he arrived back at his home, the composition was complete. Professor O'Kane is a genial, modest Christian gentleman, who carries sunshine wherever he goes. His greatest joy comes from the consciousness that his music has cheered and comforted the hearts of Christian people all over the world, and has been the means of winning thousands from the pleasures of the world to the higher enjoyments of the Christian religion. His song, Sweeping Through the Gates, will be sung till all the ransomed are gathered Over There. -Hall, J. H. (c1914). Biographies of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company. ======================== O'Kane, Tullius Clinton. Died 10 February 1912, Delaware, Ohio. Buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Delaware, Ohio. --DNAH Archives

Friedrich Filitz

1804 - 1876 Person Name: Friedrich Filitz, 1804-1876 Composer of "BEMERTON" in The Book of Praise Friedrich Filitz PhD Germany 1804-1876. Born at Arnstadt. Thuringia, he was a German composer and musicologist. He collected church music. He also studied philosophy. In 1833 he worked in Berlin as a music critic and at other employment. He was also a music historian. With Ludwig Erck, he published a collection of 15th & 17th Century chorales in 1845. He moved to Munich and published a chorale book in 1847. His legacy of vauable church music was donated to the Bavarian State Library, where it has made many forgotten works available once again. He died in Bonn, Germany. John Perry

Friedrich Silcher

1789 - 1860 Person Name: Friedrich Silcher, Ph.D. Composer of "INFANT PRAISES" in The Scottish Hymnal

John Curwen

1816 - 1880 Person Name: John Curwen, 1817-1880 Author of "I'm a little pilgrim" in The Book of Praise Curwen, John, son of the Rev. S. Curwen, of an old Cumberland family, born at Heckmondwike, Yorkshire, Nov. 14, 1816, and educated at Coward College, and University College, London. In 1838 he became assistant minister in the Independent Church, Basingstoke; co-pastor at Stowmarket in 1841, and pastor at Plaistow, Essex, in 1844. There he developed and promoted the Tonic Sol-fa method of teaching to sing, using it in his own schools and church, and lecturing upon it in various parts of the country. Resigning his ministry through ill health, in 1867, he established a printing and publishing business in order the better to create a Tonic Sol-fa literature. In 1853 he assisted in founding the Tonic Sol-fa Association, for the promotion of that method of singing, and in 1862 the Tonic Sol-fa College. He died May 25, 1880. Besides a number of works explanatory of the Tonic Sol-fa system, Mr. Curwen was the compiler of Sacred Songs, 1840, and Hymns & Chants, 1844. In 1846 these were combined as The Child's Own Hymn Book. This was enlarged in 1865, and recast as The New Child’ s Own Hymn Book in 1874. As a Sunday-school hymn-book this collection has been exceedingly and deservedly popular. For it Mr. Curwen composed two hymns:— 1. I'm a little Pilgrim. Pressing Heavenwards. This was written in place of another with the same first line, whose author had refused permission for its use in Mr. Curwen's book. The time and chorus usually sung with it are American. 2. 0 what has Jesus done for me? Passiontide. This was also written in place of another having the same line. These are the only hymns known to be his The Sabbath Hymn Book, Lond. 1859, was also edited by Mr. Curwen. [Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

A. J. Abbey

1825 - 1887 Person Name: Abbey Composer of "[I'm a little pilgrim]" in The Banner of Victory Alonzo Judson Abbey, USA 1825-1887 Professor Abbey was a music teacher, collector, writer-composer, tune book compiler and sacred music publisher. George F Root often edited his published works. John Perry

James Frederick Swift

1847 - 1931 Person Name: J. F. Swift Composer of "[I'm a little pilgrim]" in Sacred Songs for Little Singers Used pseudonym Godfrey Marks. See also Marks, Godfrey (Musician) ================ Swift, James Frederick, son of Joseph Swift, was born at Manchester, Dec. 28, 1847. In 1851 he removed with his parents to Liverpool, where he was educated at the Commercial School of Liverpool College. At an early age he displayed a talent for music, and performed in public as a pianist as early as 1859. In 1863 he was appointed organist at the Cranmer Wesleyan Chapel. Subsequently he was organist at St. Andrew's Church, Liver¬pool, for 10 years, and then, from 1886 to the present, at St. Bride's, in the same city. He has composed a large number of songs and instrumental pieces under the nom-de-plume of "Godfrey Marks." He has also written a number of hymns and sacred odes, for which he has composed music. From these eight were published with the music, in 1875, as Hymns for Home and Sacred Festivals (London, Novello). From this small collection the following hymns have come into common use:— 1. When evening shadows gather. Evening. Written in 1873, and first sung in public at the Wesleyan Choral. Festival in St. George's Hall, Liverpool, in 1874. It was included in his Hymns for Home, &c, No. 8, in 5 stanzas of 8 lines. It then passed into Thring's Collection, 1882, the Prim. Methodist Hymnal, 1887, and others. It is a very beautiful Evening Hymn. 2. Have you heard the sweet, sweet story? Life of Jesus. Written in 1874, and published in his Hymns for Home, &c, 1875, No. 4, in 5 stanzas of 8 lines, with a chorus of 4 lines. 3. When life is gay with sunshine. Refuge in Trouble. Written in 1874, and published in his Hymns for Home, &c, 1875, No. 7, in 3 st. of 8 1. Of these hymns Nos. 2, 3 have been largely used at Sunday School Anniversaries and similar gatherings. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)