Howard Brockway

Full biography Howard Brockway

Howard A. Brockway (1870-1951) was an American composer who left a significant mark in the music industry through his remarkable works. Born on November 22, 1870, in Brooklyn, New York, Brockway began his music studies with his father, who was a church organist. He started playing the organ at the age of six and later went on to study at the Massachusetts Normal School and the New England Conservatory of Music.

Brockway also had the opportunity to study in Europe, where he learned from eminent composers and music teachers. He later became a teacher himself and taught at the Institute of Musical Art in New York City (now known as the Juilliard School), Columbia University , and the Metropolitan College of Music.

As a composer, Brockway produced a variety of compositions for different genres, including choral works, operas, and songs. He is renowned for his dedication to the preservation of American folk music. Brockway traveled throughout Appalachia and collected folk songs, which he then adapted into works for piano and voice.

Some of his popular compositions include "Autumn Idyl," "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere," and "The Rosary." He also provided accompaniment for Loraine Wyman's folk song presentations and recorded the tunes himself.

Brockway's contribution to the music industry was significant, and he is considered one of the trailblazers in American music. His works continue to be performed today, and he remains an inspiration to musicians and composers worldwide.