The Hymns of Lowell Mason

Few composers of hymns tunes have been so important, popular, and very controversial in the US as Lowell Mason. After studying composition in Europe with Frederick Able, he returned to Savannah, GA where he became the music director at the Independent Presbyterian Church. Under his leadership his congregation also started the first Sunday School at the Bryan Baptist Church also in Savannah… in the 1820’s. One of the more controversial steps he took was the disbanding of the churches orchestra and relying upon only the organ for musical leadership. He also simplified the harmony and emphasized the soprano line. At the time there was a strong part-singing tradition from which the Scared Harp has come down to us.

Regardless of all these controversies there are no other composers whose music has been used so extensively throughout most Christian traditions. You have been singing his music since you were a toddler. He is credited with writing “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” (And in case you were wondering, the Mason in the Mason & Hamlin (Organ &) Piano Co was his son.)