Millard, Harrison

1830-

American composer and teacher of vocal music; born in Boston, Mass. As a child he sang in a church choir, and when only ten entered the chorus of the Handel and Haydn Society. From 1851 to 1854 he studied singing in Italy, and as tenor concert-singer traveled through Ireland and Scotland with Catherine Hayes. While he was abroad he wrote articles for Dwight's Journal of Music and other American magazines. He returned to Boston in 1854, and in 1856 as a singer, teacher and composer he settled in New York. In 1859 he produced Viva la America, the first important patriotic song. As first lieutenant in the Nineteenth New York Regiment he served in the Civil War, and was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga and sent home. After his recovery he was given a position in the New York custom house. He has published over three hundred songs, among them the well-known Flag of the Free, and has also adapted songs from the French and German. He has written a Grand Mass, four Te Deums; also the fouract opera, Deborah.