Person Results

James Welch

Composer of "SAWLEY" in Great Songs of the Church (Revised)

Walford Davies

1869 - 1941 Person Name: H. Walford Davies Composer of "ST. ANDRÉ" in Christian Science Hymnal (Rev. and enl.)

1818 - 1867 Composer of "SOLITUDE" in Words of Truth L. C. Everett's largest and most popular collection was The Wesleyan Hymn and Tune Book (1859), published by the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The denominational dedication page in that collection says it was "prepared by Mr. L.C. Everett, of Virginia, a gentleman well-known through the South and Southwest, as an author and teacher of sacred vocal music." In his own introductory remarks, Everett's instincts as an educator are clear. He advised churches to offer a weekly congregational singing class "for the purpose of meeting together frequently, say one evening each week, to practice the tunes under the direction of a suitably qualified chorister or leader, and ... that the entire congregation be invited to attend the rehearsals of the class and join in learning the tunes." For Everett, musical worship was not just the duty of a choir, it was the duty of everyone. Leonard’s brothers were Asa Brooks Everett (1828-1875), N.E. Everett, & Benjamin Holden Everett. Leonard and Asa developed a successful music education system called "The Everett System," and together with R.M. McIntosh they formed the L.C. Everett Company, which employed approximately fifty music teachers throughout the American south and middle Atlantic. —Chris Fenner see also J.H. Hall, Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1914), pp. 96-100.

Alfred J. Eyre

1853 - 1919 Composer of "SELBY" in The Academic Hymnal Born: October 24 1853, Lambeth, England. Died: October 11, 1919, Lower Norwood, England. Buried: Elmer’s End Cemetery (also known as the Beckenham Crematorium), Norwood, England. Eyre studied at the Royal Academy of Music & served as organist at St. Peter’s, Vauxhall (1867-72 & 1874-81); St. Ethelberga’s, Bishopgate (1872-74); St. John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood, London (1881); & at the Crystal Palace (1880-94). --www.hymntime.com/tch

B. C. Unseld

1843 - 1923 Composer of "VERNAL DAY" in The Brethren Hymnal Benjamin Carl Unseld, 1843-1923 Born: October 18, 1843, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Died: November 19, 1923. Buried: Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, West Virginia. After leaving school at age 14, Unseld worked as a clerk in a country store. He received his first musical instruction around age 15, from a companion who had attended a singing school. He was shown the representation of the scale in the old Carmina Sacra, and had it sung for him. At the friend’s suggestion, he got permission from his pastor to practice on the church organ. Since both boys worked, their only chance to practice was after the store closed at 9:00 p.m., and occasionally at noontime. They went to the church together and took turns, one at the keyboard and the other at the bellows. Shortly after the Battle of Antietam in September 1862, some of which Unseld witnessed, he left home and became a bookkeeper in the general offices of a railroad in Columbia, Pennsylvania. He sang in a choir, and gained further practice reading music. He rented a melodeon and spent much time in his room improvising on it. He bought a copy of Woodbury’s Harmony and Musical Composition, and studied it as well as he could without a teacher. He accepted an invitation to play the organ in the local Methodist church, on the condition that he received the tunes early in the week so he could learn them. This was his first position as an organist. In the spring of 1866, he entered the Musical Institute in Providence, Rhode Island, conducted by Eben Tourjée (founder of the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts, and father of Lizzie Tourjée). There he studied voice, piano, organ, and harmony. After learning of Unseld’s business experience, Dr. Tourjée made him secretary of the school; in 1867, Unseld became the first secretary of the New England Conservatory. Starting in 1870, Unseld attended schools led by Theodore F. Seward. There he met George Webb, Lowell Mason, James McGranahan, Charles Case, and other notables in the music community. In 1874, Unseld taught at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, and helped train Fisk’s Jubilee Singers for their European trip. In 1877 and 1878, he was organist and choir master at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In 1879, Unseld moved to New York City, and for 15 years taught, led choirs, composed and published. In New York, his musical headquarters was the publishing house of Biglow & Main Company, where he was in almost daily contact with the popular composers and teachers of the day: Ira Sankey, Horatio Palmer, Hubert Main, Robert Lowry, et al. In 1894, Unseld moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked as an editor for the Fillmore Music House. In 1898, he moved to Dayton, Ohio, and worked in a similar capacity for the Lorenz Publishing Company. He moved back to New York City in 1901, then to Hagerstown, Maryland in 1905. He and his wife Sallie were apparently living in Tennessee as of 1920. Unseld’s works include: The Choral Standard (New York: Fillmore Brothers, 1895) Progress in Song, with E. T. Hildebrand (Cincinnati, Ohio: The Fillmore Brothers Company) Unseld was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Sources-- Hall, pp. 239-44 Music-- Ancyra Euphemia He Is Risen Hordville Make Haste! Meschach Twilight Is Falling Unseld Wonderful Message --www.hymntime.com/tch

S. M. Bixby

1833 - 1912 Composer of "WALKE" in Gloria Deo Samuel M. Bixby was born on May 27, 1833 in Haverhill, New Hampshire. His company, S. M. Bixby & Company, manufactured shoe blackings and shoe dressings, but music was his passion. He was also a Sunday school superintendent and choir leader. He died on March 11, 1912 in Fordham, New York. His works include: Church and Home Hymnal, circa 1893 Evangel Songs, circa 1894 Gloria Deo: A Collection of Hymns and Tunes for Public Worship in All Departments of the Church (New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1901) NN, Hymnary. Source: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/b/i/x/bixby_sm.htm

Math. W. Davies

1885 - 1947 Person Name: Math. W. Davies (1885-1947) Composer of "GODRE'R COED" in Welsh and English Hymns and Anthems

J. Montgomerie Bell

1837 - 1910 Person Name: J. M. Bell Composer of "RUTHWELL" in The Church Hymnary John Montgomerie Bell was a hymnwriter and botanist born on May 28, 1837. He died on June 8, 1910 in Edinburgh, Scotland. NN, Hymnary. Source: http://composers-classical-music.com/b/BellJohnMontgomerie.htmv