Palmer, Horatio Richmond

1834-1907

Writer, composer, and teacher; born of American parentage at Sherburne, New York. His father was a musician, and when only seven years old Horatio sang alto in a church choir, becoming organist and choirmaster at seventeen. He studied at the Rushford Academy of Music in New York City, and latter in Berlin and Florence. He began his professional work at Rushford Academy, and two years later he was made director of that institution. He began his work as a conductor when only twenty, and after experience in the Northern States and Canada he organized the Church Choral Union of New York City, in 1873, and for seven years was leader of that society, which at times numbered four thousand singers. In 1877 he established the Chautauqua Summer School of Music, of which he was dean for fourteen years. He also led the choir there, and for seventeen years conducted the Musical Festival at Cortland, N. Y. He served as choirmaster of the Broome Street Tabernacle for eleven years, and was a prominent member of tjie Clef Club in New York City. His great activity along musical lines was rewarded by the degree of Doctor of Music, conferred upon him by the Chicago University in 1881 and the Alfred University in 1882. Dr. Palmer was a great student of literature and astronomy, as well as music, and lectured on all three subjects. He was the publisher of his own works, which include the Theory of Music; Class Method; Manual for Teachers; Pronouncing Pocket Dictionary of Musical Terms; Pronouncing Biographical Pocket Dictionary of Musicians; Peerless Piano Primer; Book of five hundred and sixteen short Interludes and Modulations; and the popular class books, The Song Queen; The Song King; Song Herald; Concert Choruses; and many other collections. He wrote quantities of sacred pieces, and among his wellknown hymns are Just for Today; Yield Not to Temptation; Beautiful Home; The Rose of Sharon; Holy Spirit from Above; Galilee, Blue Galilee; and Peace be Still.