Dear Brother I have truly enjoyed your site. I too have written and I perform a song at Masonic functions all over the country.
I just was asked to sing it at the Northeast Conference of Grand Masters in Dayton Ohio. I would like to send you a copy of "The Masonic Ring" song that brothers are calling the New Masonic Anthem.I need your address and name and I will get one in the mail to you. Please visit www.freemason.com and you can contact me at cdamron1@aol.com
Howie Damron
[Editor: It is outstanding!! Please also visit Brother Damron's website Buck Eye Wild Productions http://www.buckeyewild.com ]
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Dear Bro,
I am a professional organist (and a son & grandson of an active Mason) presently living in Bay Shore, New York.
JAV Recordings of Brooklyn, NY recently released So Mote It Be! a CD of Masonic organ music, as per the attached flyer.
I would be most grateful if you would please consider posting a copy of this flyer on your website, lodge and/or library notice boards, etc to inform fellow Masons that may be interested in obtaining a copy of this recording.
"This is an exciting recording; it is a powerful collection of music by
Masonic composers played on a great Scottish Rite instrument."
Scottish Rite Journal, May/June 2004
Yours truly,
Nigel Potts
www.nigelpotts.com
~ A new CD of Masonic Organ Music ~
So Mote It Be!
Transcriptions from
The Scottish Rite Cathedral
in the Masonic Temple of Detroit
"This is an exciting recording; it is a powerful collection of music by
Masonic composers played on a great Scottish Rite instrument."
Scottish Rite Journal, May/June 2004
Allegro vivace from Symphony No.41, Jupiter Wor. Bro. Mozart
March for the Priests from the opera The Magic Flute Wor. Bro. Mozart
Masonic Funeral Music for Orchestra Wor. Bro. Mozart
Austria from the Emperor String Quartet Wor. Bro. Haydn
plus works by Liszt and Wagner
Further information or to order So Mote It Be! please email enquiries@nigelpotts.com
or send your check for $25 (including s&h) to:
‘Nigel Potts’
3 Prospect Ave
Bay Shore, NY 11706
"Nigel’s recording is simply an aural delight."
The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, May/June 2004
"Nigel Potts’ playing is first class." The Sydney Organ Journal, Australia, March 2004
www.nigelpotts.com
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***A New Masonic Radio Station***
This is contributed by Most Worshipful Bro Neil Neddermeyer, PGM Minnisota
New Jersey Masons have a Masonic radio station broadcasting over the web.
They feature favorite Masonic composers on a continuous 24 hours a day, 7 days per week basis. The program selection presently broadcasting is: Great Music by Great Masons (A Celebration of Brotherhood) Sousa, Beethoven, Handel, Mozart, Sibelius, Irving Berlin
Entire Program Time: 60 minutes
Must have a 56K Modem, Direct or Cable Connection, and RealPlayer 7 or Other
MP3 Capable Streaming Player
Directions:
1. Select the link below.
2. A small window will open after arriving at the station
3. If you do not hear the station after about a minute, go to Step 4 and
continue; otherwise Step 9
4. Close the small window and select the Internet Connection Speed
5. In the Search Box Type: kerplunkin
6. There is an approximate 1 to 2 minute delay between selections
7. You may need to select the HeadPhone Icon to hear the next selection
8. ENJOY!!!!M
9. GO TO NJMASONS Radio:
http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/directory.cgi?autostart=kerplunkin
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My heartiest compliments on your Masonic Music site. I have added a
link to it on my Comprehensive List page, which is located at:
http://www.mastermason.com/rfire/masonry/comprehensive_list.html
I am myself a composer of Masonic (and other) music. The Dawson
Masonic March has been used a couple of times in DC for Grand Visitations
and will receive its public premiere this coming year by the Vienna
Community Band. I wish I could find a publisher... (I was Master
of Dawson #16, now consolidated to form National-Stansbury-Dawson #12,
in 1996; it is one of the two Lodges in DC to which John Philip
Sousa belonged--Hiram #10, now Hiram-Takoma #10, is the other. He
never wrote a march for the Lodge, so I did.)
You can find a listing
of my compositions and arrangements (for wind quintet and for band)
at:
http://www.mastermason.com/rfire/music_list.html
I also give a talk in Lodge (or out of it--it's not esoteric) on
"Music for Masonry," in which I discuss what forms of music are
suitable for Lodge use (i.e., what I myself play).
"Solemn strikes the
funeral chime..." is properly known as Pleyel's Hymn. It may be found
(with different words) in many hymnals of Protestant denominations (but
not Baptist, it seems). I wouldn't call it "Apprentice Song," though;
it is used only in the MM Lodge (and often in the Scottish Rite Secret
Master degree). I also wouldn't call "Onward Christian Soldiers" a
_York Rite_ anthem; its use would be inappropriate in the Chapter or
Council (but it would be OK for the Commandery). (Likewise some of the
others you have listed--they are quite explicitly Christian and not
appropriate for Lodge use. There are some very good hymns for Lodge use
which are non-sectarian: "O Worship the King" (Michael Haydn), "O God
Our Help in Ages Past," "Abide With Me," "Patriots' Prayer" (Finlandia,
by Sibelius), "Shall We Gather at the River?", "God of Our Fathers," and
some others which don't come to mind at the moment.
The most appropriate Mozart for Lodge use, I believe, is "Zum Ziele
Fuehrt Dich Diese Bahn," the finale to Act I of _The Magic Flute_. It
is sung as Tamino enters the Temple of Wisdom, which is exactly
appropriate to the candidate's entrance in each degree.
For the candidate's return to the preparing room, I use "Chant du
Depart" by Etienne Mehul. I have not been able to determine whether
Mehul was a Mason, though. The "Chant du Depart" is sometimes called
"the second Marseillaise" (and you note that Rouget de Lisle was a
Mason).
I play the flute (and occasionally piccolo) with the Vienna Community
Band and Concordia German Band. I am going to provide your list of
Masonic march composers to the director for his edification... We've
played some of those marches.
Are you aware of the "unknown" Sousa march recently rediscovered? The
title is "Foshay Tower Washington Memorial" march, and may be considered
Masonic in its reference to the Memorial, which the Foshay Tower is said
to resemble. The march was not played at the Foshay Tower dedication,
my father tells me, because the developer went bankrupt and didn't pay
Sousa his commission. (The Foshay Tower used to be the tallest building
in Minneapolis, before they built the new stone forest there; we
St. Paulites claimed that our First Natl. Bank building was five feet
taller, though, but I don't know what the truth was. Mpls. is now many
stories ahead of St. Paul and likely to remain so.)
Here's a Masonic composer you left off your list: Friedrich der Grosse,
Koenig von Preussen (Frederick the Great, King of Prussia). And he was
a _great_ composer--listen to some of his works (they are available on
CD) and see if you don't think he is in the same league as the tier
below Haydn and Mozart (i.e., Stamitz, Cimarosa, et al). As a flutist,
I cannot let "Big Fred" go without a mention. (Just name _one_ other
absolute monarch whose artistic contributions are recognized today! OK,
Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations." And King Solomon wrote parts of the
Bible, while David wrote the Psalms, or some of them.)
Should Burl Ives be listed, or was he only a performer, not a composer?
(Did Gene Autry compose, or did he only sing and play guitar?)
Around Washington, DC, one cannot omit from a list of Masonic composers
the name of Bennie Breeskin (who wrote "Hail to the Redskins")...
If you care to link from your page to mine, please use the address:
a href="http://www.mastermason.com/rfire/masonry/"
for the link.
Roger M. Firestone, 33º, Musician/Lodge Educ. Ofcr., Henry Lodge #57, AF&AM of VA, Fairfax
[Editor's Note: Most of the constructive criticism in this letter has resulted in improvements in this website for which Dr. Firestone is due credit and thanks!]
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Hello. I just visited your Masonic music web page, and found it very well
produced.
I have 3 CD's of Masonic music. Two are only of Mozart, but the third has
several other composers as well. The CD is titled Musiques Rituelles
Maconniques Au XVIIIe Siecle (Ritual Music of the XVIIIth Century
Freemasons). In addition to Mozart it has the following composers and
compositions.
Francois Giroust (1738-1799)
Rituel Maconnique Funebre also known as The Deluge
Ludwig Von Beethoven (1770-1827)
Marche Maconnique
Opferlied
Friedrich-Heinrich Himmel (1779-1814)
Maurerlied (in honor of the Frederic III King of Prussia)
Henri-Josph Taskin (1779-1852)
Marche Maconnique Funebre
The recording is from France and was released under the auspices of the
Grande Loge de France and was recorded by Roger Cotte a "high level Freemason" who now belongs to a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The booklet that came with
the CD is very interesting.
Although not Masonic I also have a CD of Early American Music which has music
believed to be written by Bro. Benjamin Franklin.
Regards,
Richard Lozins
Oriental Lodge #33 AF&AM
Chicago IL GL of IL
[Ed.: Brother Franklin is also credited as a composer for the glass harmonica, by no lesser authority than "The Today Show" on NBC!]
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Seal of The Most Worshipful Regular Grand Lodge "YUGOSLAVIA"
One of the best Serbian composers is Stevan Mokranjac (1856-1914). He wrote compositions for choir, two kinds: 1. Rukoveti, a type of choir--svita, and 2. Church music. He made his compositions based on folk music.
S. Mokranjac was mason but we don't know a lot about his work on this field, especially, did he make compositions connected with the masonry? In near future we will seek facts about it, and if we find them, we shall make a paper about it.
Dimitrije Golemovic
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Thought you might like to add to the site that the RWGLofPA uses "God of
Our Fathers" at the opening of GL and it is very appropriate. The
MWPHGLofPA uses "We're Marching to Zion" and "Jesus the Light of the
World"; last year my lodge had a tenor and organist do the "Pilgrim's
Chorus" from "Tannhauser", ending on a minor, somber note, to complete our
Memorial Service -first time THAT has been used in the lodge, but it went
over very well, at least when sung in English!
Bro Brian Fegely PM
Montgomery [formerly "Military"] Lodge #19
Philadelphia
RWGLofPA
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I came upon the following articles which look interesting and include
names of 'musicians' which are foreign to me but may be of interest to you.
Music and Masonry, by Norman Demuth. Transactions of Sussex Masters Lodge
#3672, 1958-59. 10 pages.
Masonic Composers and their Music, by David J. Roads. Grand Lodge of
Scotland Year Book, 1991. 16 pages. (Deals mostly with well known
composers but lists Boildieu, Franz Abe, J. N. Hummel, H.C.Litolff, G.A.
Lortzing, C.D. Loewe, William Peeper, Speyer, Spohr, Ole Bull, Boito, are
listed as Masonic friends of Beethoven.)
A Masonic Musical Miscellanea, by Sydney W, Pierce. Chater-Cosmo
Transactions. 1979. 9 pp.
Masonic Composers and Their Music, by David J. Roads. Chater-Cosmo
Transactions.1987. 19 pp
Fraternally and sincerely,
Harold Davidson
Billings Masonic Library
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I have also used the following Opening Ode which seemed very beautiful and
meaningful when heard in several Lodges in the Oxford, England area as well
as Switzerland (??).
Hail Eternal! by whose aid
All created things were made:
Heav'n and earth Thy vast design;
Hear us, Architect Divine!
May our work; begun in Thee,
Ever blest with order be,
And may we, when labours cease,
Part in harmony and peace.
By Thy glorious Majesty,
By the trust we place in Thee,
By the badge and mystic sign,
Hear us, Architect Divine!
The words and music are in a volume "Masonic Lodge and Chapter Music" which
was published in England by Lewis (ISBN 0 85318 105 5), printed by Ian
Allan, and at one time carried here in the US by Macoy.
Robert H. Sherman, MPS
Past Master, Pajarito Lodge #66, GL of New Mexico
Past DDGM
rhsnm@att.net
also see: http://home.att.net/~oesnm
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In Missouri, we sing the last verse of "My Country Tis of Thee" as the
closing hymn.
Chris Harris, Liberty Lodge #31, Liberty, Missouri
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There is, or was a publication called :'FUN AMONG THE
MASONS ' It was published by W.Bro. George M. Martin of 31 South Tay Street,
Dundee,Scotland in 1931. The printers were C.Tinling &Co, then of
Liverpool,London and Prescot. It was published to raise funds for the Dundee
Temple and Institute.
This book I found to be both very humerous and historical. It includes
libretto for some Masonic songs which are now defunct as they date from
around 1720 -1835.
If you can find a copy, it would, in my humble opinion prove to be a very
enlightening
reference for you in your worthwhile quest. I managed to borrow a copy some
years ago and was most impressed by it.
You may try someone who deals in out of date books or a professional
bookfinder.
Wishing you the best of luck, I remain
Yours fraternally
Stewart J. McBride.
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Dear Brother,
I was looking up band masters and found the following on Google:
GEORGE DALLAS SHERMAN Born Richmond VT Aug 23 1844; member Richmond
Cornet Band 1858; 9th VT Rgt 1864; formed Sherman's Military Band in
Burlington 1878; retired 1917; killed Nov. 3, 1927 when hit by a car
in Burlington. Buried with Masonic service. Composed Burlington
Commandery No. 2 March 1893.
Do you have him on your music website?
Fraternally, Norman Gene Lincoln, Camden, OH
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Maybe your grandchildren will like this. I did.
TEDDY BEARS' PICNIC
If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise.
If you go down to the woods today, you'd better go in disguise;
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.
Every teddy bear who's been good is sure of a treat today;
There's lots of marvelous things to eat and wonderful games to play
Beneath the trees where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
'Cause that's the way the teddy bears have their picnic.
If you go down to the woods today, you'd better not go alone.
It's lovely down in the woods today, but safer to stay at home;
For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.
Lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy; music composed by John Walter Bratton.
Bratton was born in Wilmington DE Jan 21, 1867. He attended Harkness Academy and Philadelphia College. He produced Broadway musicals and wrote the music for them.
Some of them were Star and Garter 1900 starring Brother Otis Harlan, The Liberty Belles 1901 with Brother Harry Davenport, The Man From China 1904 with Brother Charles Bigelow and the Pearl and the Pumpkin 1905 with Brother Harry MacDonough.
Some of his songs were:
My Sunbeam from the South
My Little Lady Bug
He Ought To Have a Tablet In the Hall of Fame
I'm On the Water Wagon Now
Goodbye Teddy, You Must March, March, March
You'll Always Be Just Sweet Sixteen To Me
None achieved the popularity of The Teddy Bears' Picnic which was recorded by Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Arthur Pryor, Mantovani, Frenk DeVol and The Grateful Dead! The melody was used in countless cartoons usually uncredited. Bratton's final hit was The Mender of Broken Dreams heard in Charlot's Revue of 1925.
John Walter Bratton was raised in St. Cecile Lodge No. 568 Feb. 28, 1899. He died in his Brooklyn home Feb. 7, 1947.
Norman Gene Lincoln, MPS, Camden, Ohio
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