George Lynn
Encyclopedia
George Lynn was an American composer
, conductor
, pianist
, organist
, singer
, and music educator. A longtime member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, his compositional output encompasses more than 200 orchestral and choral pieces; many of which have been performed by major American symphony orchestras like the Denver Symphony
and the Philadelphia Orchestra
. He taught on the music faculties of several prominent American colleges, notably conducting several university choirs. Throughout his life he was active as a conductor, organist, and pianist for various church and community choirs.
, Lynn was the son of immigrants from Sweden. He began working as a professional church organist in 1927 at the age of 12. He entered Westminster Choir College
in 1934 where he earned a Bachelor of Music
in 1938. Among his teachers were Paul Boepple (conducting), Roy Harris
(composition), Carl Weinrich
(organ), and John Finley Williamson
(conducting). After serving in the United States Army
during World War II
, he entered the graduate music composition program at Princeton University
where he was a pupil of Randall Thompson
. He graduated from the school in 1947 with a Master of Fine Arts
.
While studying at Princeton, Lynn returned to Westminster Choir College as a faculty member, teaching classes in organ and conducting. He left there in 1950 to join the music faculty at the University of Colorado at Boulder
where he conducted several choirs for two years. He then served as the organist/choirmaster of several prominent churches in Denver and taught piano, organ, and singing out of a private studio. He returned to Westminster in 1963 when he was appointed the college's music director, a post he held through 1969.
In 1969 Lynn returned to Denver where he spent most of the rest of his life. From 1971 to 1986 he directed choirs and taught conducting at the Colorado School of Mines
and at Loretto Heights College. He served as a professor of choral music at Rice University
in 1986-1987, after which he lived in retirement in Colorado. Among his notable students was bass Gregory Stapp
. He died in Colorado Springs at the age of 73.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, singer
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, and music educator. A longtime member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, his compositional output encompasses more than 200 orchestral and choral pieces; many of which have been performed by major American symphony orchestras like the Denver Symphony
Denver Symphony Orchestra
The Denver Symphony Orchestra, established in 1934 and dissolved in 1989, was a professional American orchestra in Denver, Colorado. Until 1978, when the Boettcher Concert Hall was built to house the symphony orchestra, it performed in a succession of theaters, amphitheaters and auditoriums...
and the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
. He taught on the music faculties of several prominent American colleges, notably conducting several university choirs. Throughout his life he was active as a conductor, organist, and pianist for various church and community choirs.
Life and career
Born in Wilkes-Barre, PennsylvaniaWilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
Wilkes-Barre is a city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, the county seat of Luzerne County. It is at the center of the Wyoming Valley area and is one of the principal cities in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, which had a population of 563,631 as of the 2010 Census...
, Lynn was the son of immigrants from Sweden. He began working as a professional church organist in 1927 at the age of 12. He entered Westminster Choir College
Westminster Choir College
Westminster Choir College is a residential college of music, part of Rider University, located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States.Westminster Choir College educates men and women at the undergraduate and graduate levels for musical careers in music education, voice performance, piano...
in 1934 where he earned a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in 1938. Among his teachers were Paul Boepple (conducting), Roy Harris
Roy Harris
Roy Ellsworth Harris , was an American composer. He wrote much music on American subjects, becoming best known for his Symphony No...
(composition), Carl Weinrich
Carl Weinrich
Carl Weinrich was an American organist, choral conductor, and teacher. He was particularly known for his recitals and recordings of Bach's organ music and as a leader in the revival of Baroque organ music in the United States during the 1930s.-Biography:Weinrich was born in Paterson, New Jersey...
(organ), and John Finley Williamson
John Finley Williamson
John Finley Williamson was the founder of Westminster Choir and co-founder of Westminster Choir College. He is considered to be one of the most influential choral conductors of the twentieth century...
(conducting). After serving in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he entered the graduate music composition program at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
where he was a pupil of Randall Thompson
Randall Thompson
Randall Thompson was an American composer, particularly noted for his choral works.-Career:He attended Harvard University, became assistant professor of music and choir director at Wellesley College, and received a doctorate in music from the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music...
. He graduated from the school in 1947 with a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
.
While studying at Princeton, Lynn returned to Westminster Choir College as a faculty member, teaching classes in organ and conducting. He left there in 1950 to join the music faculty at the University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
where he conducted several choirs for two years. He then served as the organist/choirmaster of several prominent churches in Denver and taught piano, organ, and singing out of a private studio. He returned to Westminster in 1963 when he was appointed the college's music director, a post he held through 1969.
In 1969 Lynn returned to Denver where he spent most of the rest of his life. From 1971 to 1986 he directed choirs and taught conducting at the Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines
The Colorado School of Mines is a small public teaching and research university devoted to engineering and applied science, with special expertise in the development and stewardship of the Earth's natural resources. Located in Golden, Colorado, CSM was ranked 29th, in America among national...
and at Loretto Heights College. He served as a professor of choral music at Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
in 1986-1987, after which he lived in retirement in Colorado. Among his notable students was bass Gregory Stapp
Gregory Stapp
Gregory Stapp is an American bass who has performed actively in concerts and operas internationally for more than 35 years. He has had a particularly fruitful partnership with the San Francisco Opera, portraying more than 30 roles with the company since 1980. He has also worked actively as a...
. He died in Colorado Springs at the age of 73.