Powell Weaver Explained

Powell Weaver[1]
Birth Date:1890
Birth Place:Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Death Date:1951
Death Place:Kansas City, Missouri
Known For:organist, composer

Powell Weaver (1890 - 1951) was an American composer, organist, pianist who was active in the midwest during the early 20th century and who wrote some organ pieces that are included in recitals today.[2]

Early life

Powell Weaver was born on June 10, 1890, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. He attended Clearfield High School and then the Institute of Musical Art (now the Juilliard School) in New York. His teachers were organ, Gaston Dethier, composition, Marjorie Goetschius and piano, Carolyn Beebe. He also studied organ privately with Pietro Yon for two years. In Italy his teachers were Composition, Ottorino Respighi and organ with Remigio Renzi. He married composer and organist Mary Watson Weaver on March 24, 1938, and they had one son (Thomas Watson Weaver).

Professional assignments

All of Weaver's professional positions were in the city of Kansas City, Missouri. He was first organist for the Grand Avenue United Methodist Temple from 1918 through 1938 where he presided over the distinguished and venerable 4 manual, Ernest M. Skinner organ described by organist Frederick Hohman as "the oldest original and intact 4 manual Ernest M. Skinner Organ (1912)".[3] [4] He then went on to be organist and director of music for the First Baptist Church (1938-1951) and also Temple B'nai Jehudah.

Composer

Weaver is best remembered for his organ works which include:

He also collaborated on some choral works with his wife:

Death

Powell died on December 22, 1951, in Oakland, California.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ASCAP Dictionary of authors, composers, songs & music - online book P0626.
  2. http://michaelsmusicservice.com/music/Weaver.Squirrel.html
  3. 'Opus 190, Frederick Hohman plays Vintage Repertoire on the oldest original and intact 4 manual Ernest M. Skinner Organ (1912)' Pro Organo CD 7042 1995
  4. http://grandavenuetempleumc.org/organ/ Grand Avenue Termple, skinner organ