John Prindle Scott Explained

John Prindle Scott (August 16, 1877 in Norwich, New York – December 2, 1932 in Syracuse, New York) was an American author, lecturer, educator and composer of art songs.[1]

Biography

He was born in Norwich, New York, and was educated with private tutors in New York City and at Oberlin College in Ohio, where he was enrolled as a music student from 1896–1900, and moved to New York city before 1908.[2] Later he was a voice teacher in Saginaw, Michigan. He was also known as a singer (baritone)[3] and concert soloist. According to an article in the Syracuse American, "He had established a considerable reputation in concert work when he was forced by increasing deafness to turn to composition for musical expression."[4]

For his 1916 setting of "Hymn to Nebraska,"[5] the state of Nebraska awarded him a prize in composition. He also won a composition prize from Ohio University. He became a member of ASCAP in 1928.

He spent a few summers in McDonough, New York, before purchasing a house there in 1922, calling his home "The Scottage".[6] A couple of his songs and poems refer to the town, including "The Old Road" and "The Hills O' McDonough".

He spent time with relatives in Syracuse, New York,[7] where he died in December 1932

Music

John Prindle Scott composed about 60 published songs between 1910 and 1930, including several prominent sacred works which have remained in the repertoire, especially "Come, Ye Blessed." Alan J. Ord mentioned "Come, Ye Blessed" as a good song for bass voices, calling it "ardent, with a flowing line".[8] Scott's song for high soprano, "The Wind's in the South", is considered a "good teaching piece for young coloratura [sopranos]".[9] His songs are typical of their time: dramatic, harmonically rich, and with full accompaniments. They often feature contrasting sections and a return to earlier musical material.

Musical compositions

Sacred Songs for voice and piano

  1. Remember Now Thy Creator (unknown author)
  2. The Messenger of Peace (unknown author)
  3. Come, Ye Thankful People Come (unknown author)
  1. When I Consider the Heavens (Biblical Psalm 8)[13]
  2. Even Song (Rev. A. P. Upperby), with violin obbligato

Secular Songs for voice and piano

  1. One Gave Me a Rose (unknown author)
  2. The Maid of Japan (Reginald V. Darow)

Songs for voice and organ

Piano solo

  1. The top o' the Mornin' (also arranged for piano duet)
  2. At the Donnybrook Fair (also arranged for piano duet)

Other works

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, second edition, p. 445
  2. General Catalogue of Oberlin College, 1833–1908, p. 858
  3. Claghorn, p. 387
  4. Schenck, Syracuse American, January 3, 1932
  5. See "Nebraska History", Section 36, http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/resources/OLLibrary/Journals/HPR/Vol07/nhrv07p5.html
  6. Web site for McDonough, New York, http://www.mcdonoughny.com/
  7. During the 1931–32 holiday, according to Schenck, Syracuse American, January 3, 1932
  8. Ord, Songs for Bass Voice, Chapter X, Sacred Songs, p. 130
  9. Carmen, Art Song in the United States, p. 313
  10. Reprinted in Seventeen Sacred Songs for Church and General Use, compiled by Walter Kirby, G. Schirmer, 1924
  11. Also reprinted in The Second Book of Baritone/bass Solos, ed. Joan Frey Boytim, G. Schirmer/Hal Leonard, 1994
  12. A digitized version is available online via the Sibley Music Library, Eastman School of Music
  13. Also published separately by Huntzinger and Willis Music
  14. Reprinted in Easy Songs for the Beginning Soprano, ed. Joan Frey Boytim, G. Schirmer/Hal Leonard, 2000/2006
  15. Also reprinted in the collectionArtistic Vocal Album: a collection of songs by modern composers, Theodore Presser, 1918
  16. Mentioned in the ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, second edition, p. 445
  17. Originally a solo song, published posthumously in the collection Harold Flammer Choral Series
  18. Originally a solo song, published posthumously as a part of The Harmony singers male glee club
  19. Mentioned in the ASCAP Biographical Dictionary
  20. WorldCat entry 19900727, A.M. Feldman print
  21. Arrangement of his own solo song