Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

1847

Death

:

1903

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Samuel A. Ward was an American composer born on December 28, 1847, in Newark, New Jersey. He was the son of Samuel Augustus Ward, a Baptist minister, and Julia Ann Ward, a poet and author. Ward grew up in a musical family, with his father being a skilled singer and his mother a pianist. He began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Ward received his education at Newark Academy and later attended Columbia University, where he studied music theory and composition. He also studied under the renowned composer George William Warren. Ward's early compositions were primarily hymns and sacred music, reflecting his religious upbringing. In 1882, Ward composed the music for the patriotic song "America the Beautiful," which would become one of his most famous works. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates, a professor of English at Wellesley College. The song was first performed at a Fourth of July celebration in Ward's hometown of Newark and quickly became popular across the United States. Ward continued to compose hymns and sacred music throughout his career, including "Materna," which was later used as the melody for "America the Beautiful." He also wrote secular music, including operettas and songs for the theater. One of his most successful works was the operetta "The Rose of Algeria," which premiered in 1899 and was performed across the United States and Europe. In addition to his work as a composer, Ward was also a music educator. He taught music at the Newark Academy and later served as the director of music at Grace Church in Newark. He was a member of several music organizations, including the American Guild of Organists and the Music Teachers National Association. Ward died on September 28, 1903, at the age of 55. His legacy as a composer and educator lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world. "America the Beautiful" remains one of the most beloved patriotic songs in the United States, and Ward's contributions to the world of music are still celebrated today.

More....