Frederick Shepherd Converse (1871-1940) was born in Newton, Massachusetts. He was educated at Harvard College, and studied under John Knowles Paine and George W. Chadwick. He travelled to Munich, Germany, for studies with Joseph Rheinberger at the Konigliche Akademie der Tonkunst. He taught at at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and Harvard University. He left teaching and devoted his career to composition, though he later returned to teaching in positions at the New England Conservatory of Music as head of the theory department and then dean of faculty. He died in Westwood, Massachusetts. His significant volume of compositions include four operas, five symphonies, tone poems, and many other pieces.

All are mixed chorus unless noted; some contain divisi.