Oliver Holden

Oliver Holden (September 18, 1765 – September 4, 1844) was an American composer and compiler of hymns.

Born in Shirley, Massachusetts, he served a year as a marine, for which he received a small annual pension. He lived most of his life in Charles Town, Boston, Massachusetts, after he moved with his parents in 1786. He was known to be a devout Baptist. A carpenter and real estate dealer in his professional life, he also organized many music schools, and served as legislator and pastor.^[1]

Books

Holden published books on sacred music, "The American Harmony" 1793), "Union Harmony, or a Universal Collection of Sacred Music" (1793 & 1801); co-wrote "The Massachusetts Compiler," with Hans Gram and Samuel Holyoke (1795); and edited "The Worcester Collection of Sacred Harmony" (1797).^[2]

When George Washington visited Boston in 1789, Holden wrote the lyrics and score of an ode, and trained the choir which sang the music that greeted Washington at the Old State House. This chorus was performed again by the Stoughton Musical Society in their concerts at the Chicago World's Exposition in 1893^[3] His popular tune Coronation, to Edward Perronet’s hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, is said to be the earliest American hymn tune still in general use.

External links

• Free scores by Oliver Holden at the International Music Score Library Project
• All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name! Hymn

References

1. ^ http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/h/o/l/holden_o.htm
2. ^ September 4: Oliver Holden; Christian History Institute
3. ^ http://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/chicago.htm

Persondata
Name	Holden, Oliver
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Date of birth	September 18, 1765
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Date of death	September 4, 1844
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