John Prindle Scott

Background

John Prindle was born on August 16, 1877 at Norwich, New York, United States, the son of Warren L. Scott and Delia (Prindle) Scott.

Education

Possessed of a beautiful, clear, baritone voice, John Prindle Scott spent four years, from 1896 to 1900, studying in the undergraduate school and conservatory of music at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio.

Career

Scott had the opportunity of singing in the Second Congregational Church choir at Oberlin under the direction of Professor A. S. Kimball, teacher of singing at the Oberlin College, and G. W. Andrews, organist and professor of composition in the conservatory, and was also soloist in the college glee club. In 1914 he furnished a dozen contributions to the book of Oberlin songs, writing for some of them both words and music.

After leaving Oberlin he spent two years at Saginaw, Michigan, teaching singing and then entered upon a season of public concerts. In his native town he led the church choir and organized the DeKoven male quartet. During the war he was leader of singing in community houses in New York.

Increasing deafness made it necessary for Scott to give up his concerts, and he turned to composition. Among his sacred works were numerous vocal solos and anthems for Christmas and Easter, and also "The Lord is my Shepherd, " "Consider the lilies, " and "Come ye blessed. " He composed the music for the words of A. A. Toms, "O haste the day when wars shall cease. "

During his later years divided his winters between New York City and Washington, District of Columbia. He died in 1932.

Achievements

• John Prindle Scott composed about 60 published songs, including several prominent sacred works: "The Lord is my Shepherd", "Consider the lilies", and "Come ye blessed. " Perhaps the best-known and loved of his secular songs is "The Old Road. " He was also known as a singer (baritone) and concert soloist. For his 1916 setting of "Hymn to Nebraska, " the state of Nebraska awarded him a prize in composition. He also won a composition prize from Ohio University.

Personality

With his love for music Scott combined a remarkable sense of humor which made him a delightful companion. He had a magnetic personality, charming social graces, and a deeply spiritual nature which found adequate expression in his sacred compositions.

Quotes from others about the person

• According to an article in the Syracuse American, "He had established a considerable reputation in concert work when he was forced by increasing deafness to turn to composition for musical expression. "

Connections

Scott was never married.

Father:

Warren L. Scott

Mother:

Delia (Prindle) Scott

teacher and coworker:

A. S. Kimball

References

• Who’s Who In America, 1932-33, Vol. 17