Renssellear (Rensaller/Rensselaer) DeGeer (1831-1917) was born in Stouffville, Ontario, Canada. He and his brother Philip emigrated to the U. S. and settled in Sanilac County, Michigan. Philip was a bugler in the Fourth Michigan Volunteer Infantry regiment in the civil war and formed a band in Lexington, Michigan, after the war. Rens played horn in the band and taught music in the Lexington schools. A small number of compositions appear in a few pedagogical collections.

All are mixed chorus unless noted; some contain divisi.