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Composer

 

William Bradbury was a renowned American composer of hymns and sacred music. He was born on October 6, 1816, in York, Maine, to a family of musicians. His father, William B. Bradbury Sr., was a music teacher and composer, and his mother, Lucy Bradbury, was a singer and pianist. William Bradbury Jr. showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Bradbury's family moved to Boston when he was a teenager, and he continued his musical education there. He studied with Lowell Mason, a prominent music educator and composer, and became a skilled pianist and organist. Bradbury also began composing music at a young age and wrote his first hymn, "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me," when he was only 16 years old. In 1839, Bradbury moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He quickly became involved in the city's music scene and began working as a music teacher and church organist. He also started his own music publishing company, which specialized in hymnals and sheet music. Bradbury's career as a composer took off in the 1840s and 1850s. He wrote hundreds of hymns and sacred songs, many of which became popular in churches across the United States. Some of his most famous works include "Just As I Am," "Sweet Hour of Prayer," and "He Leadeth Me." Bradbury was also a pioneer in the use of music in Sunday schools. He believed that music could be a powerful tool for teaching children about religion and morality, and he wrote many hymns and songs specifically for use in Sunday schools. His most famous Sunday school song is "Jesus Loves Me," which is still sung by children around the world today. In addition to his work as a composer, Bradbury was also a music educator and publisher. He wrote several music textbooks and founded the Bradbury Piano Company, which produced high-quality pianos and organs. He also helped to establish the New York Normal Musical Institute, which trained music teachers and promoted the use of music in education. Bradbury's music had a profound impact on American religious music and culture. His hymns and songs were widely sung in churches and Sunday schools, and his innovative use of music in education helped to popularize the idea of music as a tool for teaching and learning. William Bradbury died on January 7, 1868, in Montclair, New Jersey, at the age of 51. His legacy as a composer and music educator lives on today, and his hymns and songs continue to be sung by millions of people around the world.

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