H. A. DONALD

Henry Alexander Donald (1858-1942?) was born in Walthamstow, Essex, England. He was primarily known as headmaster and choir conductor at the Upton Cross Board School. As a musician, he was organist at Upton Park Congregational Church, conductor of the Ilford Orchestral and Choral Society, and the founder and conductor of the West Ham Philharmonic Society. He wrote primers for musical instruction including the Progressive Violin Primer Book and the Progressive Primer for the Pianoforte. His compositional output was small and includes beginner piano pieces, songs, part-songs (mostly 2-part), anthems, a musical drama titled Hiawatha dramatized: Longfellow’s poem arranged in tableau, recitation and dance and set to music for ladies’ voices, and a “cantata for infants” titled Fairies of the Seasons scored for unison voices, piano, toy trumpet, triangle, sleigh bells with adult bass or cello. The date and place of his death is uncertain.

All are mixed chorus; some contain divisi.

SET	TITLE	VOICING	TEXT	LISTEN
	Breathe so softly, ye breezes		H. Alexander	LISTEN X Stop audio before closing