Schnecker, Peter August

1850-

Organist, composer and teacher. Born at Hesse-Darmstadt. He received his first music lessons in piano and violin at Leipsic, but came to America in 1865 and settled in New York, where he studied organ, harmony and counterpoint under Samuel P. Warren. Became assistant organist of St. Thomas' Church in 1870, a post which he held for ten years, and organist and choirmaster of the West Presbyterian Church in 1872, a post which he still holds. In 1874 he studied composition at the Leipsic Conservatory. He is a prolific composer, especially of church-music, having composed as much in this line presumably as any other musician in this country. He is a prominent member of the New York Manuscript Society.