M'Ewen, John Blackwood

1868-

Scottish composer of considerable importance; was born at Hawick. After studying at the Glasgow High School and University, where he received the degree of M. A., he entered the Royal Academy of Music, from which he received the degree of Fellow. In 1896 he became professor and lecturer at the Glasgow Athenaeum, and two years later he became professor of composition and harmony at the Royal Academy of Music. He has written many compositions strongly Scotch in character, among them being Six Highland Dances for piano and violin; Three Highland Dances for strings; Graih, My Chree, a recitation with accompaniment of a string quartet, drum and piano. Other works are The Last Chantey, for chorus and orchestra; a Scene from Hellas, for female chorus and orchestra; an arrangement for Milton's Hymn on the Nativity for soprano solo, chorus and orchestra-; and orchestral suite in E; a symphony in A minor; two overtures; a string quartet in F and one in E minor.