Mason, Lowell

American, 1792–1872. Born in Medford, Massachusetts, he was a charter member of the First Presbyterian Church of Savannah, Georgia. His musical gifts showed themselves early, and he pursued the study of composition while working as a bank clerk. He helped compile a hymn collection which sold so widely after its publication in 1822 that he was thereafter able to turn his full-time attention to music. For fourteen years he served as music director of Bowdoin Street Church in Boston, where Lyman Beecher was pastor. He worked enthusiastically on behalf of music instruction in the Boston public schools, and he is sometimes called the father of American music education. His travels in Europe enabled him to bring back to America much English, French, and German music.

Nearer, My God, to Thee, 100 (Music)
How Gentle God’s Commands, 125 (Musical arrangement)
Joy to the World, 201 (Musical arrangement)
We Give Thee But Thine Own, 218 (Musical arrangement)
Come, All Whose Souls Are Lighted, 268 (Music)