Kemp, Joseph

1778-1824

An Englishman, who did much to advance musical education. He was born at Exeter and began his musical career in the Cathedral choir there. Later he became an organist in Bristol, and finally went to London in 1809. Aside from a trip to France the rest of his life was spent in alternate sojourns at London and Exeter. He attained to the degree of Doctor of Music at Cambridge. The most important work he did was to evolve a system of teaching music to entire classes at once rather than to individuals separately, a new idea in his time. His theories on this subject are treated of in his pamphlet, New System of Musical Education. He also wrote musical illustrations to poems, such as the works of Shakespeare and The Lady of the Lake; and many songs and psalms.