Howard Everett Titcomb (30 June 1884 - 31 December 1968) was an American

organist An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ (music), organ. An organist may play organ repertoire, solo organ works, play with an musical ensemble, ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumentalist, instrumental ...

, choir-director and composer.

Biography

Titcomb grew up in Salisbury Mills, Massachusetts as the son of butcher George Howard Titcomb (1844-1928) and Sarah Ella Prime (1850-1941). He served as the organist-

choirmaster A choir ( ; also known as a chorale or chorus) is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform. Choirs may perform music from the classical music repertoire, which sp ...

at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Boston from 1910 to 1959 and has been called a Boston church music institution

Style and Works

Titcomb was a prolific composer for choir and organ. His music has been characterized by John Ogasapian in the following manner:

"Titcomb's style is sectional, with abrupt changes and frequent cadences. Within sections, melodies are simply structured and harmonized. The result is naive and scarcely arresting; yet the music lies well for the voice and is extremely effective, even when done by a choir of limited capability."

His popularity as a composer of choral anthems was noted by Fansler:

"The popularity of Titcomb's anthems resulted from their simple dignity. By means of full organ sonorities, Titcomb was able to please even the most sophisticated Episcopal congregation."

References

External links

* 1884 births 1968 deaths American classical organists American male organists 20th-century organists 20th-century American male musicians 20th-century classical musicians Male classical organists {{organist-stub