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John Bacchus Dykes

1823 - 1876 Person Name: John B. Dykes Composer of "ALMSGIVING" in Hymns of the Kingdom of God As a young child John Bacchus Dykes (b. Kingston-upon-Hull' England, 1823; d. Ticehurst, Sussex, England, 1876) took violin and piano lessons. At the age of ten he became the organist of St. John's in Hull, where his grandfather was vicar. After receiving a classics degree from St. Catherine College, Cambridge, England, he was ordained in the Church of England in 1847. In 1849 he became the precentor and choir director at Durham Cathedral, where he introduced reforms in the choir by insisting on consistent attendance, increasing rehearsals, and initiating music festivals. He served the parish of St. Oswald in Durham from 1862 until the year of his death. To the chagrin of his bishop, Dykes favored the high church practices associated with the Oxford Movement (choir robes, incense, and the like). A number of his three hundred hymn tunes are still respected as durable examples of Victorian hymnody. Most of his tunes were first published in Chope's Congregational Hymn and Tune Book (1857) and in early editions of the famous British hymnal, Hymns Ancient and Modern. Bert Polman

Arthur Sullivan

1842 - 1900 Person Name: Arthur Sullivan (1842- ) Composer of "HANFORD" in Plymouth Sunday-School Hymnal Arthur Seymour Sullivan (b Lambeth, London. England. 1842; d. Westminster, London, 1900) was born of an Italian mother and an Irish father who was an army bandmaster and a professor of music. Sullivan entered the Chapel Royal as a chorister in 1854. He was elected as the first Mendelssohn scholar in 1856, when he began his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He also studied at the Leipzig Conservatory (1858-1861) and in 1866 was appointed professor of composition at the Royal Academy of Music. Early in his career Sullivan composed oratorios and music for some Shakespeare plays. However, he is best known for writing the music for lyrics by William S. Gilbert, which produced popular operettas such as H.M.S. Pinafore (1878), The Pirates of Penzance (1879), The Mikado (1884), and Yeomen of the Guard (1888). These operettas satirized the court and everyday life in Victorian times. Although he composed some anthems, in the area of church music Sullivan is best remembered for his hymn tunes, written between 1867 and 1874 and published in The Hymnary (1872) and Church Hymns (1874), both of which he edited. He contributed hymns to A Hymnal Chiefly from The Book of Praise (1867) and to the Presbyterian collection Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship (1867). A complete collection of his hymns and arrangements was published posthumously as Hymn Tunes by Arthur Sullivan (1902). Sullivan steadfastly refused to grant permission to those who wished to make hymn tunes from the popular melodies in his operettas. Bert Polman

Walter C. Smith

1824 - 1908 Author of "One thing I of the Lord desire" in Hymns of the Kingdom of God Smith, Walter Chalmer, D.D., was born at Aberdeen Dec. 5, 1824, and educated at the Grammar School and University of that City. He pursued his Theological studies at Edinburgh, and was ordained Pastor of the Scottish Church in Chad well Street, Islington, London, Dec. 25, 1850. After holding several pastorates he became, in 1876, Minister of the Free High Church, Edinburgh. His contributions to poetical literature have been many and of great merit. His principal works are:— (1) The Bishop's Walk, 1860; (2) Olrig Grange, 1872; (3) Borland Hall, 1874; (4) Hilda among the Broken Gods, 1878; (5) North Country Folk, 1883; (6) Kildrostan, 1884; (7) Hymns of Christ and Christian Life, 1876. From his Hymns of Christ, &c, 1876, the following, after revision, were included in Horder's Congregational Hymns, 1884 :— 1. Immortal, Invisible, God only wise. God, All in All. 2. Lord, God, Omnipotent. Omnipotence. 3. Our portion is not here. Treasure in Heaven. 4. There is no wrath to be appeased. God is Love. In Horder's Congregational Hymns a new opening stanza was added to this hymn by Dr. Smith at the request of the editor, and in that collection the hymn begins "I vexed me with a troubled thought." Dr. Smith's hymns are rich in thought and vigorous in expression. They deserve and probably will receive greater notice than hitherto at the hands of hymnal compilers. [Rev. W. Garrett Horder] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ================= Smith, W. C., p. 1064, i. The following additional hymns by Dr. Smith have come into common use, mainly through The Baptist Church Hymnal, 1900:— 1. Earth was waiting, spent and restless. Christmas. 2. Faint and weary Jesus stood. Our Lord's Temptation. 3. If any to the feast have come. Holy Communion. 4. The Lord hath hid His face from us. Providence. 5. To me to live is Christ. Union with Christ. These hymns appeared in his Hymns of Christ and the Christian Life, 1867, pp. Ill, 122, 241, 10, and 36, respectively. A collected ed. of his Poetical Works (not including his hymns) appeared in 1902. Other hymns that have come into use are:— 1. Gird your loins about with truth. Manliness. 2. Jesus, unto Whom we pray. Christ the Way. 3. One thing I of the Lord desire. Consecration. Nos. 1, 3 are from his Thoughts and Fancies for Sunday Evenings, 1887, pp. 3, 84. No. 2 is from his Hymns of Christ, 1867, p. 31. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Henry J. Gauntlett

1805 - 1876 Person Name: Henry J. Gauntlett, 1805-76 Composer of "RISEHOLME" in Songs for the Chapel Henry J. Gauntlett (b. Wellington, Shropshire, July 9, 1805; d. London, England, February 21, 1876) When he was nine years old, Henry John Gauntlett (b. Wellington, Shropshire, England, 1805; d. Kensington, London, England, 1876) became organist at his father's church in Olney, Buckinghamshire. At his father's insistence he studied law, practicing it until 1844, after which he chose to devote the rest of his life to music. He was an organist in various churches in the London area and became an important figure in the history of British pipe organs. A designer of organs for William Hill's company, Gauntlett extended the organ pedal range and in 1851 took out a patent on electric action for organs. Felix Mendelssohn chose him to play the organ part at the first performance of Elijah in Birmingham, England, in 1846. Gauntlett is said to have composed some ten thousand hymn tunes, most of which have been forgotten. Also a supporter of the use of plainchant in the church, Gauntlett published the Gregorian Hymnal of Matins and Evensong (1844). Bert Polman

Harry Dixon Loes

1895 - 1965 Arranger of "[One thing I of the Lord desire]" in Tabernacle Hymns Pseudonyms: Deal Bartells Born Harold Loes, the American gospel song writer took the middle name Dixon in honour of A. C. Dixon, the pastor of Moody Church at the time. Harry Dixon Loes studied at Moody Bible Institute, and after extensive training in music he served a number of churches with a ministry of music. From 1939 until his retirement he was a member of the music faculty of Moody Bible Institute. He wrote the lyrics for 1,500 gospel songs, and composed 3,000 tunes. One day in 1915, Paul Rader preached a sermon in Moody Church, in Chicago. His theme was, “All that I want is in Jesus.” In the congregation was young Harry Dixon Loes, then a senior at Moody Bible Institute, where he would eventually teach. Inspired by Dr. Rader’s message, Harry Loes wrote the words and music for a song he called "All Things in Jesus." It was first sung by the church’s youth group. Friends all around me are trying to find What the heart yearns for, by sin undermined; I have the secret, I know where ’tis found: Only true pleasures in Jesus abound. All that I want is in Jesus. He satisfies, joy He supplies; Life would be worthless without Him; All things in Jesus I find. Some carry burdens whose weight has for years Crushed them with sorrow and blinded with tears. Yet One stands ready to help them just now, If they will humbly in penitence bow. --http://wordwisehymns.com/2010/02/09/ ================== Harry Dixon Loes was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on October 20, 1892. After serving several churches as music director and later being active for more than twelve years in evangelist work, he joined the music faculty of Moody Bible Institute, in 1939, where he remained as a popular music teacher until his death in 1965. Mr. Loes was the writer of numerous gospel songs and choruses. One day, while listening to a sermon on the subject of Christ's atonement entitled “Blessed Redeemer,” Mr. Loes was inspired to compose this tune. He then sent the melody with the suggested title to Mrs. Christiansen, a friend for many years, asking her to write the text. The hymn first appeared in Songs of Redemption, compiled by Marin and Jelks, in 1920, and published by the Baptist Home Mission Board, Atlanta, Georgia. --http://www.gracecommunitycog.org/

Frederick C. Maker

1844 - 1927 Person Name: Frederick Charles Maker, 1844-1927 Composer of "IN MEMORIAM" in The Hymnary of the United Church of Canada Frederick C. Maker (b. Bristol, England, August 6, 1844; d. January 1, 1927) received his early musical training as a chorister at Bristol Cathedral, England. He pursued a career as organist and choirmaster—most of it spent in Methodist and Congregational churches in Bristol. His longest tenure was at Redland Park Congregational Church, where he was organist from 1882-1910. Maker also conducted the Bristol Free Church Choir Association and was a long-time visiting professor of music at Clifton College. He wrote hymn tunes, anthems, and a cantata, Moses in the Bulrushes. Bert Polman

Walter G. Alcock

1861 - 1947 Person Name: Rev. Walter G. Smith Author of "A Clean Heart" in Alexander's Hymns No. 2 Walter Galpin Alcock United Kingdom 1861-1947. Born at Edenbridge, Kent, England, the son of the superintendent of the Metropolitan Police Orphanage at Fortescue, Twickenham. He was musically inclined. He won a scholarship to the National Training School for Music at age 15. There, he studied composition with Arthur Sullivan and organ with Sir John Stainer. After several brief posts at Holy Trinity Sloan Street and St Margaret’s Westminster, he was appointed Organ Professor at the Royal College of Music, London, in 1893. That year he married Naomi Blanche Lucas, and they had six daughters and a son: Naomi Judith, Dorothy Grace, Constance Marjorie, Ruth Blanche, Lucy Rachel, Kathleen Stainer, and Richard. In 1896 he was assistant organist of Westminster Abbey and concurrently organist and master of the children of the Chapel Royal (1902-1916). He became organist and Master of the Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral (1916-1947). He also oversaw a strictly faithful restoration of the famous Father Willis organ. He would not allow parts of the organ being refurbished to leave the cathedral, lest an unauthorized tonal alteration might be made without his approval, but he did work with the grandson of Father Willis, Henry Willis III, to modernize the organ’s action. Alcock had the distinction of playing at the coronation of three kings: Edward VII (1902); George V (1911); and George VI (1937). Between 1917-1924 he, with Harford Lloyd, juggled the post of Director of the Madrigal Society, assisting the ageing Sir Frederick Bridge, who had been appointed in 1888. Alcock was knighted in 1933 for services to music. He was a distinguished teacher, whose published material for organ students is still thought of value. He taught several notable pupils. He had the hobby of constructing a model railway at Salisbury on which choir boys could take rides. He was said to have all his musical talent and dexterity at the organ when age 80, that he had at age 50, and with greater maturity and mellowness. He died at age 85. His funeral service was at Salisbury Cathedral. John Perry

E. Boothroyd

Composer of "MAGDALE" in The Sunday School Hymnary

Fred H. Byshe

Composer of "A CLEAN HEART" in The Church Hymnal

George Lomas

1834 - 1884 Person Name: G. Lomas Composer of "SOUTHPORT" in The Congregational Mission Hymnal Born: 1834, Birch Hall, Bolton, Lancashire, England. Died: 1884, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. A student of William Sterndale Bennett and Charles Steggall, Lomas received his BMus degree from New College, Oxford. He played the organ at Didsbury Parish Church, and at Emmanuel Church, Barlow Moor, Manchester (1858-84). Music: CHAMOUNI ST. PAUL'S COLLEGE SURSUM CORDA http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/l/o/m/lomas_g.htm ============= George Lomas was born in England and was a volunteer organist for twenty-five years before becoming a professional musician. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in music at age forty-five, only five years before his death. The Presbyterian Hymnal Companion, 1993