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George Spaulding

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For the American architect, see George W. Spaulding.

George L. Spaulding (December 26, 1864 – June 1, 1921) was an American composer, lyricist, and a successful publisher of music.[1]

Spaulding was born in Newburgh, New York. His father, William Douglass Spaulding, was a pattern maker by trade, and also a well known singer in the local area who appeared in amateur comic opera productions.[2] George was a paternal grandson of John D. Spaulding, the founder of the Newburgh Journal.[1] After studying piano with local teachers, at the age of sixteen he moved to Brooklyn, where he studied harmony for a short time with an organist. After this he was entirely self-taught. He was in the music publishing and selling business for many years, first as a music clerk, and then later going into partnership with others.[3]

He began to develop a talent for writing lyrics and composing.[4] In 1883, one of Spaulding's composed songs appeared in a book, with lyrics by his father. This song was called "Sail Ho! (A Sea Song)".[5] In 1891, under the pseudonym of Henry Lamb, he was the lyricist and composer of "My Mary Green".[6] Among his best known songs that were popular included "The Volunteer Organist", "Two Little Girls in Blue", and "Take Back the Engagement Ring".[4]

He also had a great talent for writing simple piano pieces with effective harmony and well defined melodies. Some of the most popular examples of these were: "Sing, Robin", "Sing - Pretty Little Song Bird", "Airy Fairies", "Child's Good Night", "Dollie's Dream", "June Roses", "Just a Bunch of Flowers", "Mountain Pink" and "Dreaming Poppies".[3]

Spaulding's Tunes and Rhymes for the Playroom, Souvenirs of the Masters, and Well Known Fables Set to Music were among the most widely used collections of easy piano pieces in book form. A Day in Flowerdom and The Isle of Jewels, which were two little operettas for children, written by Spaulding, were also very popular. His easy piano pieces, and elementary technical books, played an important role in developing music education for children. His wife, Jessica Moore, who was a talented poet, wrote many of his verses.[3][a]

Notes

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  1. ^ George composed a song about Jessica in 1900.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "George Spaulding Visits His Old Home. The Great Success of "Henry Lamb"". Newburgh Daily Journal. Vol. XXXII, no. 9620. 21 October 1893. p. 2. Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Obituary. William Douglass Spaulding". Newburgh Daily Journal. Vol. XXXIII, no. 9882. 29 August 1894. p. 4. Retrieved 2 October 2024 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c "George L. Spaulding 1864 - 1921". The Etude. Vol. XXXIX, no. 7. New York: Theodore Presser Company. July 1921. p. 446. Retrieved 30 September 2024 – via Internet Archive.
  4. ^ a b "George L. Spaulding Dies". The Music Trades. Vol. LXI. New York. 11 June 1921. p. 50. Retrieved 30 September 2024 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Pond, William A (1883). Naval Songs: A Collection of Original, Selected, and Traditional Sea Songs. New York: Wm. A Pond & Co. pp. 50–51. Retrieved 30 September 2024 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Digital Collections, The New York Public Library. "(notated music) My Mary Green, (1891)". The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  7. ^ Digital Collections, The New York Public Library. "(notated music) Pretty Jessie Moore, (1900)". The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
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