J.T. Wamelink

J.T. Wamelink (10 November 1827, Aalten - 31 December 1900) born in the Netherlands, was a prominent musician and composer in Cleveland, Ohio.

Emigration to Cleveland

In 1835, Wamelink and his family, father Hermanus Wamelink and mother Maria Johanna Francisca De Reuwer Wamelink emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, with his eight siblings. Wamelink as a youth of fourteen, became the first organist of St. Mary on the Flats. When the superstructure of the cathedral was completed, a new organ was installed, which the Cleveland Herald of that time refers to as the finest in the district.

For a period, Wamelink moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and while there worked as a composer in conjunction with Charles B. Barr. In 1853 Wamelink married Catherine Sweetland, of Pittsburgh then returned with her to Cleveland, where he continued to work in music.

Years in Cleveland, Ohio

Upon his return to Cleveland, Wamelink opened a piano shop on Superior St. He continued as a composer, music, and voice teacher, and for nearly 30 years was the organist at St. John's Cathedral in Cleveland. He was the founder of the Hayden Society; the first musical society in Cleveland and served as its director for many years. He passed away on 31 Dec 1900, and is interred in the St. John's Cemetery.

Musical Compositions

Wamelink composed many pieces of music, a number of which are found in the collections of: The Library of Congress, The Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, Stanford University, the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Washington State University, and the Penn Libraries, among others. His compositions include:

First Mass in C, Ave Maria, Central Skating Park Polka, Skating Rink Waltz, in 1854 Sweetbrier Polka Mazurka, in 1855 Homewood Polka Mazurka, in 1858 O Sing That Melody Again, in 1859 The Queen Rose, 1862 Col J. B. Clark's Return in 1864 Sanitary Fair Grand March, in 1864 Liberty and Union, in 1864 Dying Soldier Boy, in 1865 Petroleum Is King, in 1865 Wild Bird's Song, in 1872 We'll March Once More, My Boys, in 1874 United, in 1874 Roses, in 1875 Col. Clark's Grand Triumphant March, in 1875 President Lincoln's Funeral March, in 1876 The Veterans of '76.

External links

* [http://www.clpgh.org/locations/music/pittsburghmusic/pghimprints.html]
* [http://loc.harpweek.com/LCPoliticalCartoons/DisplayCartoonMedium.asp?MaxID=&UniqueID=17&Year=1864&YearMark=]
* [http://www.franklin.library.upenn.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?Search_Arg=wamelink&Search_Code=GKEY%5E*&PID=BO-4iBRWFBoelQNKJ9pxYxrGS2JlY7C&SEQ=20080121113506&CNT=50&HIST=1]
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200000516/default.html]
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200002174/default.html]
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200000517/default.html]
* [http://content-backend-a.cdlib.org/view?docId=tf9870072n&chunk.id=c01-1.8.5.14]