Paul Ambrose
Encyclopedia
Paul Ambrose was a Canadian organist
, conductor
, composer
, and music educator who was primarily active in the United States. His compositional output includes more than 200 songs, choral pieces, and works for solo piano and organ. He is particularly remembered for his anthem
s which have been performed widely in North America. Some of his more well known works include the anthems Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and Come unto Me; and the song Rose-Bud.
, Ambrose was the son of composer and organist Robert Ambrose
and the grandson of organist Charles Ambrose
. His cousin, pianist Ellen Ambrose, founded the Duet Club of Hamilton in 1889. He began his musical training in the piano and the organ as a young child with his father.
In 1886, at the age of 18, Ambrose moved to New York City to assume the post of organist-choirmaster at Madison Ave Methodist Episcopal Church where he remained for nearly 5 years. While in New York he pursued further musical studies with Dudley Buck
(orchestration), Kate Sara Chittenden
(piano), Bruno Oscar Klein (composition), and Albert Ross Parsons (piano). He later taught music history
at the American Institute of Applied Music
in New York in the early years of the 20th century.
In 1890 Ambrose moved to Trenton, New Jersey
to become the organist-choirmaster at St James Methodist Episcopal Church, a post he held through 1917. In 1904 he became music director at the New Jersey State Normal School (now The College of New Jersey) where he remained until his retirement in 1934. He notably served four terms as president of the National Association of Organists while living in the United States.
After his retirement, Ambrose lived the rest of his life in Hamilton where he served as guest organist at the Christ Church Cathedral. In 1939 he was elected president of the Royal Canadian College of Organists
. He died in Hamilton in 1941 at the age of 72.
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and music educator who was primarily active in the United States. His compositional output includes more than 200 songs, choral pieces, and works for solo piano and organ. He is particularly remembered for his anthem
Anthem
The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word...
s which have been performed widely in North America. Some of his more well known works include the anthems Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and Come unto Me; and the song Rose-Bud.
Life and career
Born in Hamilton, OntarioHamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, Ambrose was the son of composer and organist Robert Ambrose
Robert Ambrose (composer)
Robert Steele Ambrose was a Canadian organist and composer of English birth.-Life:Ambrose was born on March 7, 1824 to Charles Ambrose and Sophia Stoneham in Chelmsford, England. Robert's father was the organist at Chelmsford Cathedral, where Robert most likely received his early musical training...
and the grandson of organist Charles Ambrose
Charles Ambrose
Charles Ambrose was an English organist, composer, choir director, and music educator who was active in his native country during his early career and later in Canada. His compositional output was small, consisting of a few sacred works and pieces for solo organ and piano...
. His cousin, pianist Ellen Ambrose, founded the Duet Club of Hamilton in 1889. He began his musical training in the piano and the organ as a young child with his father.
In 1886, at the age of 18, Ambrose moved to New York City to assume the post of organist-choirmaster at Madison Ave Methodist Episcopal Church where he remained for nearly 5 years. While in New York he pursued further musical studies with Dudley Buck
Dudley Buck
Dudley Buck was an American composer, organist, and writer on music. He published several books, most notably the Dictionary of Musical Terms and Influence of the Organ in History, which was published in New York in 1882. He is best known today for his organ composition, Concert Variations on the...
(orchestration), Kate Sara Chittenden
Kate Sara Chittenden
Kate Sara Chittenden was an American professor of music, music school founder, and piano teacher...
(piano), Bruno Oscar Klein (composition), and Albert Ross Parsons (piano). He later taught music history
Music history
Music history, sometimes called historical musicology, is the highly diverse subfield of the broader discipline of musicology that studies the composition, performance, reception, and criticism of music over time...
at the American Institute of Applied Music
American Institute of Applied Music
The American Institute of Applied Music was a music school based in New York City. The Institute was incorporated in 1900 as an of the following educational institutions:# The Metropolitan College of Music...
in New York in the early years of the 20th century.
In 1890 Ambrose moved to Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
to become the organist-choirmaster at St James Methodist Episcopal Church, a post he held through 1917. In 1904 he became music director at the New Jersey State Normal School (now The College of New Jersey) where he remained until his retirement in 1934. He notably served four terms as president of the National Association of Organists while living in the United States.
After his retirement, Ambrose lived the rest of his life in Hamilton where he served as guest organist at the Christ Church Cathedral. In 1939 he was elected president of the Royal Canadian College of Organists
Royal Canadian College of Organists
The Royal Canadian College of Organists , founded in 1909,is a national association of organists and church musicians in Canada, with 32 centres from Victoria, British Columbia to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.The National Office is in Toronto....
. He died in Hamilton in 1941 at the age of 72.