John J. McClellan
Encyclopedia
John Jasper McClellan, Jr. (April 20, 1874 – August 2, 1925) served as the chief organist
of the organ
in the Salt Lake Tabernacle
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1900 to 1925.
McClellan was in Payson
, Utah Territory
. By the age of eleven McClellan was serving as a church organist in Payson. McClellan's father, also John J. McClellan, served as mayor
of Payson from 1887 to 1890.
In 1891, McClellan went to Saginaw, Michigan
, where he studied under Albert W. Platte. He then went to the Ann Arbor Conservatory where he studied under Johann Erich Schmaal. He also studied with Alberto Jonas
while there. He served as organist of St. Thomas Catholic Church while in Ann Arbor. He also served as pianist
of the Ann Arbor Choral Union.
In 1896, McClellan returned to Utah
where he taught music at LDS College and at Brigham Young Academy (the forerunner of Brigham Young University
). It was during this time that McClellan married Mary Douglass. They eventually became the parents of five children. He also served as the pianist for the Salt Lake Opera Company.
In 1899, McClellan went to Berlin
, Germany
where he studied with Xaver Scharwenka
and Ernest Jedliczka. While in Berlin, McClellan edited and published a new edition of the LDS hymnal
in German
.
McClellan became the organist of the Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1900. In this capacity, he accompanied the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
and inaugurated the free weekly organ recitals at the tabernacle.
In the 1985 English
edition of the LDS hymnal
, the music for "Sweet Is the Work" (hymn #147) was composed by McClellan.
McClellan was a member of the Church Music Committee of the LDS Church when it was first formed.
Among those who studied under McClellan were Alexander Schreiner
, Sidney B. Sperry
and J. Spencer Cornwall
.
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...
of the organ
Salt Lake Tabernacle organ
The Salt Lake Tabernacle organ is a pipe organ located in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah. Along with the nearby Conference Center organ, it is typically used to accompany the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and is also featured in daily noon recitals...
in the Salt Lake Tabernacle
Salt Lake Tabernacle
The Salt Lake Tabernacle, also known as the Mormon Tabernacle, is located on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah along with the Salt Lake Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Temple.-History:...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1900 to 1925.
McClellan was in Payson
Payson, Utah
Payson is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 12,716 at the 2000 census. The current mayor is Rick Moore, who in the 2009 election was the first write-in candidate ever to defeat an incumbent mayor in...
, Utah Territory
Utah Territory
The Territory of Utah was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 4, 1896, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Utah....
. By the age of eleven McClellan was serving as a church organist in Payson. McClellan's father, also John J. McClellan, served as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Payson from 1887 to 1890.
In 1891, McClellan went to Saginaw, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, where he studied under Albert W. Platte. He then went to the Ann Arbor Conservatory where he studied under Johann Erich Schmaal. He also studied with Alberto Jonas
Alberto Jonas
Alberto Jonás was a Spanish pianist, composer, and piano pedagogue. Although not much is known about his life, as a pianist he was regarded as a virtuoso on the level of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Moriz Rosenthal, Leopold Godowsky, Józef Hofmann, and Josef Lhévinne...
while there. He served as organist of St. Thomas Catholic Church while in Ann Arbor. He also served as pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
of the Ann Arbor Choral Union.
In 1896, McClellan returned to Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
where he taught music at LDS College and at Brigham Young Academy (the forerunner of Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
). It was during this time that McClellan married Mary Douglass. They eventually became the parents of five children. He also served as the pianist for the Salt Lake Opera Company.
In 1899, McClellan went to Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
where he studied with Xaver Scharwenka
Xaver Scharwenka
Franz Xaver Scharwenka was a German pianist, composer and teacher. He was the brother of Philipp Scharwenka , who was also a composer and teacher of music.- Life and career :...
and Ernest Jedliczka. While in Berlin, McClellan edited and published a new edition of the LDS hymnal
Hymnal
Hymnal or hymnary or hymnbook is a collection of hymns, i.e. religious songs, usually in the form of a book. The earliest hand-written hymnals are known since Middle Ages in the context of European Christianity...
in German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
.
McClellan became the organist of the Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1900. In this capacity, he accompanied the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, sometimes colloquially referred to as MoTab, is a Grammy and Emmy Award winning, 360-member, all-volunteer choir. The choir is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . However, the choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to...
and inaugurated the free weekly organ recitals at the tabernacle.
In the 1985 English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
edition of the LDS hymnal
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1985 book)
Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the official hymn book of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
, the music for "Sweet Is the Work" (hymn #147) was composed by McClellan.
McClellan was a member of the Church Music Committee of the LDS Church when it was first formed.
Among those who studied under McClellan were Alexander Schreiner
Alexander Schreiner
Alexander Schreiner was one of the most noted organists of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. He also wrote the music to several LDS hymns, several of which are in the current edition of the hymn book of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints .-Early life:Alexander Ferdinand Schreiner was born on...
, Sidney B. Sperry
Sidney B. Sperry
Sidney Branton Sperry was one of three scholars who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who began the scholarly and systematic study of the Book of Mormon in the mid-20th century — the other two being John L. Sorenson and Hugh W. Nibley...
and J. Spencer Cornwall
J. Spencer Cornwall
Joseph Spencer Cornwall was a conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the mid-20th century.Cornwall was born at Mill Creek, Utah Territory....
.