Article on Harrison Millard

“Among the most admired of our native composers, Mr. Harrison Millard deserves a permanent place. He has composed some songs which have become popular all over the Union, which he has done his share defending in the army, while to church music he has contributed some of the most available additions which can be found in the modern repertoire of American choirs. He recently attempted a higher range of art, and produced a grand mass a few Sundays ago at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church in Twenty-eighth street, where he is a tenor singer. It was a work of decided merit, and rich in melody. The concerted pieces were also highly praised by competent judges, and the mass should be heard outside of the church for which it was written.

          But Mr. Millard’s principal ecclesiastical music is for the Protestant church, and in it he has combined his happy flow of melody with a proper degree of dignity.  We know of no composer, excepting perhaps J. R. Thomas, who more thoroughly understands and caters for the average American taste in church music. Mr. Millard has shown his best qualities in a series of ‘Sacred Quartet Music,’ now publishing by William A. Pond & Co., of 547 Broadway. The list includes two Te Deums (in C and F), a Jubilate, a Benedictus, a Miserere, a Benedic Anima, a new funeral anthem, ‘I heard a Voice,’ and several opening pieces. We can heartily recommend these, especially to Episcopal choirs. They are effective and pleasing, and not at all difficult.”

          The article continues with other publications of Pond and of Root and Cady of songs and choruses by other composers.