Powell Weaver (1890–1951) was an American composer, organist, pianist who was active in the midwest during the early 20th century and who wrote some organ pieces that are included in recitals today.

Early life

Powell Weaver was born on June 10, 1890 in

Clearfield, Pennsylvania Clearfield is a borough and the county seat of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census the population was 5,962 people, making it the second most populous community in Clearfield County, behind DuBois. The borough ...

. He attended Clearfield High School and then the Institute of Musical Art (now the

Juilliard School The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most el ...

) in New York. His teachers were organ,

Gaston Dethier Gaston Marie Dethier (1875 – 1958) was an American organist, pianist, and composer of Belgian birth. Early life Born in Liège, he was the son of organist Emile Jean Joseph Dethier (1849-1933), the brother of violinist Edouard Dethier, an ...

, composition, Marjorie Goetschius and piano, Carolyn Beebe. He also studied organ privately with

Pietro Yon Pietro Alessandro Yon (August 8, 1886 – November 22, 1943) was an Italian-born organist and composer who made his career in the United States. Early life Yon was born in Settimo Vittone, (Piedmont, Italy). His earliest studies in music beg ...

for two years. In Italy his teachers were Composition,

Ottorino Respighi Ottorino Respighi ( , , ; 9 July 187918 April 1936) was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and musicologist and one of the leading Italian composers of the early 20th century. List of compositions by Ottorino Respighi, His compositions r ...

and organ with Remigio Renzi. He married composer and organist

Mary Watson Weaver Mary Eliza Watson Weaver (January 16, 1903 – November 16, 1990) was an American composer, pianist, and poet who was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Life Mary received B.A. and B. M. degrees from Smith College (Massachusetts) and Ottawa Universi ...

on March 24, 1938, and they had one son (Thomas Watson Weaver).

Professional assignments

All of Weaver's professional positions were in the city of

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City (abbreviated KC or KCMO) is the largest city in Missouri by population and area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 508,090 in 2020, making it the 36th most-populous city in the United States. It is the central ...

. He was first organist for the Grand Avenue United Methodist Temple from 1918 through 1938 where he presided over the distinguished and venerable 4 manual,

Ernest M. Skinner Ernest Martin Skinner (January 15, 1866 – November 26/27, 1960) was an American pipe organ builder. His electro-pneumatic switching systems advanced the technology of organ building in the first part of the 20th century. Biography Skinner ...

organ described by organist Frederick Hohman as "the oldest original and intact 4 manual Ernest M. Skinner Organ (1912)".http://grandavenuetempleumc.org/organ/ Grand Avenue Termple, skinner organ He then went on to be organist and director of music for the First Baptist Church (1938-1951) and also Temple B'nai Jehudah.

Composer

Weaver is best remembered for his organ works which include: * ''The Squirrel'' * ''Bell Benedictus'' * ''The Cuckooo'' * ''Exultation: piéce symphonique'', for organ and piano * ''Copper Country Sketches'' * Transcription for organ of ''Toccata'' by Pietro Domenico Paradies He also collaborated on some choral works with his wife: * ''Like Doves Descending'' (with Mary Watson Weaver; mixed chorus; 1952) * ''On the Eve of the First Christmas'' (with Mary Watson Weaver; mixed chorus; 1948) * ''When Jesus Lay by Mary's Side'' (with Mary Watson Weaver; mixed chorus; 1951)

Death

Powell died on December 22, 1951 in

Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast of the United States, West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weaver, Powell 1890 births 1951 deaths American classical organists People from Clearfield, Pennsylvania 20th-century organists 20th-century classical musicians