Lowell Mason (1792-1872) was born in in Medfield, Massachusetts, and at age 17 became the Music Director of First Parish Church. For a time he lived in Savannah, Georgia, where he worked a dry-goods store, then became a banker. Showing talent since a youth, he had very strong amateur musical interests. He was choir director and organist at the Independent Presbyterian Church and initiated the first Sunday school for black children in America. He moved to Boston and was choirmaster and organist at Park Street Church. He became a music director for three churches, in a six-month rotation. He served as president of the Handel and Haydn Society, taught music in the public schools, was co-founder of the Boston Academy of Music, and was appointed music superintendent for the Boston school system. After retiring from Boston musical activity, he moved to New York City where his sons, Daniel and Lowell, Jr. had established a music business. He developed a great interest for congregational singing after a trip to Europe and accepted the position as music director at the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. He was an active leader in music his entire life. He composed many pieces following a more European tradition. He compiled and published many books for musical and singing training. His influence has been enduring and he is oft called the father of American music education. He was the father of Henry Mason (founder of the Mason and Hamlin piano company) and composer William Mason. He was the grandfather of music critic and composer Daniel Gregory Mason, and John B. Mason, a popular late nineteenth and early twentieth-century stage actor.

All are mixed chorus unless noted; some contain divisi.