James Hamilton Howe

Howe was born November 14, 1856, in Boxford in Essex County, Massachusetts.{{Cite book |last=Bixby |first=Willard Goldthwaite |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gmk2AAAAMAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA600 |title=A Genealogy of the Descendants of Joseph Bixby, 1621-1701 of Ipswich and Boxford, Massachusetts: Who Spell the Name Bixby, Bigsby, Byxbie, Bixbee, Or Byxbe and of the Bixby Family in England, Descendants of Walter Bekesby, 1427, of Thorpe Morieux, Suffolk |date=1914 |publisher=Willard G. Bixby |location=New York |page=599-600 |language=en |via=Google Books}}{{Cite book |last=Institute |first=Essex |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hf0WAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA131 |title=Essex Institute Historical Collections |date=1889 |publisher=Essex Institute Press |volume=26 |publication-place=Salem, Massachusetts |page=131 |language=en |via=Google Books}} His parents were Mary Ann (née Lowe) and Edward Everett Howe. He was the sixth of their eight children.

Howe graduated from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1878.{{Cite book |last=Siller |first=Mabel Harriet |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u94TAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA19 |title=The History of Alpha Chi Omega |date=1911 |publisher=Homestead Printing Company |page=20-21 |language=en |via=Google Books}}{{Cite journal |date=1911 |title=Alumni Notes |journal=New England Conservatory Review |publisher= |page=20 |via=Google Books}} He enrolled in the College of Music of Boston University, graduating with an M.B. in 1882.{{Cite journal |date=December 1901 |title=S. Dominic's Church Choir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iLQOAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA618 |journal=Dominicana |volume=2 |issue=12 |pages=iii and 618 |access-date=March 13, 2024}} Howe was a pianist.{{cite web |title=School of Music History |url=http://www.depauw.edu/music/History/1884.asp |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080709010601/http://www.depauw.edu/music/History/1884.asp |archivedate=2008-07-09 |accessdate=2008-08-18 |publisher=DePauw University}}

Howe taught at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.{{Cite book |last1=Howe |first1=Granville L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KKMNAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA626 |title=A Hundred Years of Music in America: An Account of Musical Effort in America: During the Past Century |last2=Mathews |first2=William Smythe Babcock |date=1889 |publisher=G.L. Howe |pages=627–628 |language=en |via=Google Books}} In addition, he worked as an organist and choir director in Boston.

In 1884, Howe became the first dean of the Music School at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.{{Cite news |date=1934-08-13 |title=James Hamilton Howe, Musician, Dead |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-james-hamilton-howe-mus/30158320/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Boston Globe |pages=12 |via=Newspapers.com}} During his first year as dean, he performed the first recital of the School of Music. He also presented lecture recitals on the “History of Pianoforte Technique” and “My System of Pianoforte Technique". Howe's program was recreated by piano professors Glen Sherman, Claude Cymerman, and Lorna Griffitt for the celebration of the School of Music's centennial in 1984.

In 1885, Howe noticed that the other departments at DePauw had student organizations and decided that a national women's musical society would benefit the Music School and its students.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xvLmAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA307 |title=Banta's Greek Exchange: Published in the Interest of the College Fraternity World |date=October 1928 |publisher=George Banta Company, Incorporated |page=337 |language=en |via=Google Books}} He invited seven students—Anna Allen, Olive Burnett, Bertha Deniston, Amy DuBois, Nellie Gamble, Bessie Grooms and Estelle Leonard—to a meeting to discuss creating a society.{{cite web |title=Alpha Chi Omega Founded at DePauw University |url=http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=16447 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525201233/https://www.depauw.edu/news-media/latest-news/details/16447/ |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |accessdate=2008-08-18 |website=DePauw University |publisher=}} As a result, Alpha Chi Omega women's fraternity was established on October 16, 1885. It was one of the first six Greek letter organizations for women in the United States.{{Cite news |date=1934-05-18 |title=Milestone is Reached in AC History |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-journal-milestone-is-reaches/143294067/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Herald-Journal |location=Logan, Utah |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} Howe formally introduced the fraternity to the university with a soirée musical on February 26, 1886. He would maintain his involvement in Alpha Chi Omega after leaving the university, for the next 25 years.

Howe created a second music sorority called Phi Mu Epsilon in 1892.{{Cite book |last=Martin |first=Mrs Ida Shaw |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xbU4AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA93 |title=The Sorority Handbook |date=1919 |publisher=Banta |edition=6th |location=The Collegiate Press / George Banta Publishing Company |page=93 |language=en |via=Google Books}} It remained a local sorority until 1902, when a second chapter was established at Syracuse University, before affiliating with Mu Phi Epsilon in 1906.

During his ten years as dean of the Music School, Howe established its curriculum and a vigorous performance schedule. He fought opposition to an opera program. Between 1884 and 1894, hundreds of students took classes, with 22 graduating. Although the school had strong enrollment, Howe's administration resulted in $3,000 in debt (${{Inflation|index=US|value=3000|start_year=1894|end_year=2022|fmt=c}} in 2022's money); the debt consisted of outstanding student deposits and unpaid faculty salaries.

In 1896, Howe was the conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for a series of ten semi-popular symphony concerts in held the Golden Gate Hall.{{Cite journal |date=February 1896 |title=Reading Notices |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mOghAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA96-IA2 |journal=The Pacific Educational Journal |volume=12 |issue=2 |page=xcviii |via=Google Books}} He was one of two oratorio leaders of San Francisco. He was the conductor of the San Francisco Oratorio Society, the Oakland Oratorio, and the San Jose Oratorio Society.{{Cite journal |date=April 1900 |title=Pacific Grove Summer School of Music |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7RIbAAAAYAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA243 |journal=Susnet |publisher=Southern Pacific Company |volume=4 |issue=6 |page=243 |via=Google Books}}{{Cite news |date=1934-08-13 |title=Seattle Musician Dies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bellingham-herald-seattle-musician-d/143294594/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Bellingham Herald |location=Bellingham, Washington |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} In April 1897, Howe was the conductor for a music festival that featured the three oratorio socieities and a combined chorus of 200 to 250 singers.{{Cite news |date=1897-02-13 |title=With a Combined Chorus of 200 or 250 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune-with-a-combined-chorus-o/143300715/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=Oakland Tribune |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}} Ultimately, Howe was unable to secure enough money or find the material needed to carry out his long-term plans for the oratorio societies.{{Cite journal |date=February 14, 1900 |title=San Francisco |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xJNCAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=RA6-PA13 |journal=Musical Courier |volume=40 |issue=7 |pages=12–13 |via=Google Books}} His competition, H. B. Steward, also failed, and oratorio died out in San Francisco.

In the summer of 1899, Howe founded and was the director of the Pacific Grove Summer School of Music in Pacific Grove, California.{{Cite news |date=1899-06-21 |title=Summer School of Music |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-call-and-post-summer-s/143301803/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The San Francisco Call and Post |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} The summer school provided two months of study with first-class musicians. Howe taught chorus, composition, harmony, oratorio interpretation, and pianoforte. He also directed the summer school for a second year in 1900. The Pacific Grove Summer School of Music continued into the 1950s.{{Cite news |date=1951-02-16 |title=Mu Phi Epsilon to Install SJ Alumnae Chapter Sunday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-peninsula-times-tribune-mu-phi-epsil/143301627/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Peninsula Times Tribune |location=Palo Alto, California |pages=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Howe was the organist and music director of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in San Francisco in 1900 In 1901, he was the organist and director of the choir at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in San Francisco. He also taught organ, pianoforte, harmony, and voice. He was the musical director of the Howe Club of San Francisco in 1904.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LZGW4fSKfVYC&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA38 |title=American Musical Club Directory 1904 |date=1904 |publisher=Louis Blumberg, Publisher |edition=Elite |location=New York |page=38 |language=en |via=Google Books}}

Howe left San Francisco and moved to Seattle in 1906. He was the first musical director and conductor of the Seattle Choral Symphony Society in 1906.{{Cite book |last=Armbruster |first=Kurt E. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dNcTCgAAQBAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA76 |title=Before Seattle Rocked: A City and Its Music |date=2011-10-17 |publisher=University of Washington Press |isbn=978-0-295-80100-1 |page=76 |language=en |via=Google Books}}{{Cite journal |date=May 1907 |title=Home Notes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FBlPiobt3DcC&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=RA2-PA343 |journal=The Etude |volume=25 |issue=5 |page=343 |via=Google Books}} However, he soon had a falling out with the members of the Ladies Musical Club who had chartered the society. They created the Seattle Symphony Orchestra Association, a rival organization; however, Howe already had most of the symphony-quality musicians of Seattle on contract.

In September 1916, Howe was the pianist and accompanist for several concerts in Alaska and British Columbia and with Aileen Ferluce, an Alaskan prima donna and harpist.{{Cite journal |date=September 9, 1916 |title=Tour of Alaska Reveals Growing Love for Good Music in North Country |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jGdJAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=RA5-PA15 |journal=Music America |volume=24 |issue=19 |page=15 |via=Google Books}} In 1922, Howe was the dean of the American College of Music in Seattle.{{Cite news |date=1922-10-24 |title=Seattle Poetry Club |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-seattle-star-seattle-poetry-club/143300186/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Seattle Star |pages=10}} He taught classes, gave concerts and developed the college's course of study. He was also a Seattle School of Music professor.{{Cite news |date=1923-12-18 |title=A Musical Program |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/seattle-union-record-a-musical-program/143297166/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=Seattle Union Record |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}

By December 1922, Howe had composed 200 works.{{Cite journal |date=December 1922 |title=Howe's Olympic Suite |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WENrrZrDK44C&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=PP120 |journal=Musical Advance |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=n.2 and n.4 |via=Google Books}} His The Olympic Suite was inspired by a trip on the Great Northern Railway through the Cascade Range and Rocky Mountains in July 1922.{{Cite journal |date=January 1923 |title='Our Dean' Visits His 'Daughters' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vnnOAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22The+Olympic+Suite%22+howe&pg=PA112 |journal=The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=110–113 |via=Google Books}} It included twelve movements including "Ode to Mount Olympus", "The Red Velvet Rose of Seattle", "The Rippling Waters of Queets", and "Tahoma Suite". Howe performed "The Rippling Waters of Queets" on piano for Washington State Federation Day at the Pacific Northwest Products Exhibition in February 1923.{{Cite news |date=1923-02-08 |title=Program fo Friday, February 9th Washington State Federation Day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-seattle-star-program-fo-friday-febr/143298753/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Seattle Star |pages=16 |via=Newspapers.com}} He premiered parts of The Olympic Suite in a series of radio concerts on KDZE that were heard by some 100,000 people.{{Cite news |date=1923-12-18 |title=A Musical Program |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/seattle-union-record-a-musical-program/143297166/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=Seattle Union Record |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1923-08-31 |title=Howe to Be On Air Again |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-seattle-star-howe-to-be-on-air-again/143297920/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Seattle Star |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1923-08-20 |title=Radio to Send Nature Music |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-seattle-star-radio-to-send-nature-mu/143298091/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Seattle Star |pages=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} The radio show included Howe's narration, violinist Arnold Krauss, soprano Florita Munson-Wroten, soprano Dimples Marie David, and a chorus of twelve. The Olympic Suite was published as a book with related photographs.

In February 1923, Howe composed "Our Washington", intended to be the state song, with Martha Washington.{{Cite news |date=1923-02-13 |title=Fashion Review Show Attraction |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/seattle-union-record-fashion-review-show/143299722/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=Seattle Union Record |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1923-05-19 |title=Public Service Workers Will Speak at Ad Lunch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-seattle-star-public-service-workers/143299974/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Seattle Star |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} He composed for the Seattle Oratorio Society in 1928.{{Cite journal |date=June 1928 |title=Seattle New |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=04YthAw_4_oC&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=RA4-PA14 |journal=Music and Musicians |pages=14 |via=Google Books}} In 1929, he performed music and gave lecture-recitals for ladies clubs and colleges.{{Cite journal |date=March 1929 |title=James Hamilton Howe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2mvlAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=RA9-PA40 |journal=The Lyceum Magazine and Leadership |page=40 |via=Google Books}} One of his lectures, "The Red Devils of the Board of Trade", was not musical and showed his new interest in the stock market and consumer issues. He also wrote The Dragon and Juggernaut of Speculation as Exemplified in Gambling in Prices of Our Food Products.

A variety of dahlia was named in his honor.

Howe married Liley Cramphorn in the First Methodist Episcopal Church of San Jose on December 12, 1899.{{Cite news |date=1899-12-17 |title=James Hamilton Howe and Miss Lily E. Cramphorn |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-examiner-james-hamilto/30158914/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The San Francisco Examiner |pages=8 |via=Newspapers.com}} She was originally from Rochester, England but was living in San Jose where she was the secretary of the Pacific Grove Summer School of Music.{{Cite news |date=1899-07-02 |title=Society |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-san-francisco-call-and-post-society/143302213/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The San Francisco Call and Post |pages=28 |via=Newspapers.com}} The church was decorated by the San Jose Oratorio Society. The San Francisco Oratorio Society and San Francisco Philharmonic Society hosted their reception at the of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Gordon. The couple did not have any children.

Howe was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.{{Cite journal |date=May 15, 1907 |title=Records of New Members Registered from February 15 to April 15, 1907 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iOsQAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22James+Hamilton+Howe%22+-wikipedia&pg=RA3-PA15 |journal=Official Bulletin of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution |page=15 |via=Google Books}}

After a long sickness, Howe died on April 12, 1934, in Seattle, Washington at the age of 75.{{Cite news |date=1934-08-13 |title=Noted Composer, Sorority Founder Dies at Seattle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tacoma-daily-ledger-noted-composer/143295189/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |location=Tacoma, Washington |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{Cite news |date=1934-09-01 |title=J. H. Howe, Seattle Musician, Leaves Property to Pupil |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-province-j-h-howe-seattle-musicia/143293876/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Province |location=Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |pages=23 |via=Newspapers.com}} He was buried in the Harmony Cemetery in Boxford, Massachusetts. Howe left his estate to Ruth G. Chastain, his student for two years and a former music teacher.{{Cite news |date=1934-09-07 |title=Miss Chastain Beneficiary by Document Filed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-miss-chastain-benef/143293759/ |access-date=2024-03-13 |work=The Sedalia Democrat |location=Sedalia, Missouri |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} Rather than a will, Howe wrote a certificate of gift on September 4, 1933, in consideration of his engagement with Chastain. Chastain told the press that they had not set a date for their marriage.

• Sacred Songs for Contrello or Bass. Boston: Arthur P. Schmidt & Co., 1884.{{cite web |title=Sacred Songs for Contrello or Bass |url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/music.mussm-sm1884-03258/?sp=1&r=0.335,0.626,0.391,0.154,0 |website=Library of Congress |access-date=December 22, 2024}}
• Four Songs with Accompaniment of Pianoforte, Violin, and Violoncello. Boston: Arthur P. Schmidt & Co., 1884.{{cite web |title=Four Songs with Accompaniment of Pianoforte, Violin, and Violoncello |url=https://lccn.loc.gov/2023854890 |website=Library of Congress |access-date=December 22, 2024}}
• Songs of DePauw: A Collection of College Songs. Boston: J. M. Russell, 1890.{{cite book |title=Songs of DePauw: A Collection of College Songs |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MbQQAAAAYAAJ |access-date=December 22, 2024}}
• Boys of the U.S.A. Seattle: Harvey J. Woods, 1918.{{cite web |title=Boys of the U.S.A. |url=https://lccn.loc.gov/2009371218 |website=Library of Congress |access-date=December 22, 2024}}
• The Banner of Freedom and Fame: A National Song Dedicated to The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Words by John Julius Jones and music by James Hamilton Howe. 1920.{{cite web |title=The Banner of Freedom and Fame: A National Song Dedicated to The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars |url=https://lccn.loc.gov/2009371217 |website=Library of Congress |access-date=December 22, 2024}}
• The Olympic Suite ... For Pianoforte, Voice, and Orchestra, etc., 1922.

• The Dragon and Juggernaut of Speculation as Exemplified in Gambling in Prices of Our Food Products. Written especially for the Education and Protection of Our Young Men and Women, About to Enter the Business or Professional World; and a Warning to Our Produce Growers and Provision Packers. Seattle: The Dragon Publishing Company, 1916.{{cite web |title=The Dragon and Juggernaut of Speculation as Exemplified in Gambling in Prices of Our Food Products |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/17002195/ |website=Library of Congress |access-date=December 22, 2024}}

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• [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/157749507/james-hamilton-howe James Hamilton Howe Find A Grave]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Howe, James Hamilton}}

Category:1856 births

Category:1934 deaths

Category:American conductors (music)

Category:American male conductors (music)

Category:Boston University College of Fine Arts alumni

Category:DePauw University faculty

Category:American male pianists

Category:Alpha Chi Omega

Category:College sorority founders

Category:19th-century American pianists

Category:19th-century American composers

Category:19th-century American academics

Category:American male composers