Paul Ambrose

Ambrose, Paul

Paul Ambrose. Organist, teacher, composer, b Hamilton, Ont 11 Oct 1868, d there 1 Jul 1941. He studied piano in Hamilton with his father, Robert (Steele) Ambrose, and in New York with Albert Ross Parsons and Kate Sara Chittenden, and composition and orchestration in New York with Bruno Oscar Klein and Dudley Buck respectively. In New York he was organist-choirmaster 1886-90 at Madison Ave Methodist Episcopal Church and in Trenton, NJ, he held the same position 1890-1917 at St James Methodist Episcopal Church and 1917-34 at First Presbyterian Church. He taught music history at several schools, including the Institute of Applied Music in New York, and in 1904 was appointed music director at the New Jersey State Normal School in Trenton. Retiring to Hamilton in 1934, he was guest organist at Christ Church Cathedral. He served four terms as president of the National Association of Organists in the USA and in 1939 was elected president of the CCO. Paul Ambrose composed over 200 songs, choral pieces (including the anthem 'Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing'), and piano and organ pieces, many published by John Church, Ditson, Lorenz, Wm. A. Pond, Presser, A.P. Schmidt, J.H. Schroeder, Silver Burdett, C.F. Summy, and White-Smith. His anthems were known throughout North America. Three of his works have been reprinted in CMH: the anthems 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' and 'Come unto Me' (in vol 9) and the song 'Rose-Bud' (in vol 3).

A cousin, Ellen Ambrose, was the founder of the Duet Club of Hamilton.

See also Charles Ambrose (his grandfather).