Lowell mason biography

American composer; leading figure in American church music

For the FTC chair, see Lowell B. Mason.

Lowell Mason (January 8, – August 11, ) was an American music director and banker who was a leading figure in 19th-century American church music.

Lowell mason biography

Lowell composed over 1, hymn tunes, many of which are often sung today. His best-known work includes an arrangement of "Joy to the World" and the tune Bethany, which sets the hymn text Nearer, My God, to Thee. Mason also set music to Mary Had A Little Lamb.

He is largely credited with introducing music into American public schools, and is considered the first important U.S. music educator. He has also been criticized for helping to largely eliminate the robust tradition of participatory sacred music that flourished in North America before his time.

Life

Mason was born and grew up in Medfield, Massachusetts, where he became the music director of First Parish (now First Parish Unitarian Universalist) Church at a