James, Philip

Philip James, (1890-1975), American composer of choral and orchestral music, was born on May 17, 1890 in Jersey City, N.J., to a Welsh father and German mother. At an early age, he began piano, violin, and theory lessons, and served as choirboy in several New Jersey churches. He was deeply involved in the liturgy and music of the Episcopal Church and composed his first hymn at the age of ten. From 1904 to 1909 he studied organ with J. Warren Andrews and in 1907 began advanced harmony and counterpoint lessons with Homer Norris. After studying in Europe, he held positions as organist and choirmaster in many well-known New York City churches.

In World War I he served in the Army and was bandmaster at the American Expeditionary Forces Ban. Following the war he completed his music education and co-founded the New Jersey Orchestra, serving as its first conductor. He also became an instructor in 1923 in the newly formed music department at New York University. He was affiliated with New York University for 32 years, first as full professor, then from 1934 to 1955 as chairman of the department, and professor emeritus from 1955 to 1975.

In 1929 James became the regular conductor of the Bamberger Little Symphony over radio station WOR. He conducted the weekly broadcasts for nine years. In 1932 he won first prize of $5,000 in a National Broadcasting Company competition for original symphonic for American musicians with his satirical suite, "Station WGZBX."

During his lifetime he composed over 300 works, including a musical setting for tenor and male voices of the Vachel Lindsay poem, "Gen. William Booth Enters Into Heaven."

His honors include election to the National Institute of Arts and Letters; honorary Fellow of Trinity College of Music, London; and an honorary Doctor of Music degree from New York College of Music. He was president of the Society for Publication of American Music in 1946.

He married his first wife, Millicent Eady James, in 1916. She died in 1945 and he married Helga Boyer in 1952. They had two children, Vivian and Philip. Philip James suffered a heart attack in 1960 which, from then on, severely restricted his professional and social engagements, although he still actively composed music. He died on November 1, 1975, at his home in Southampton, Long Island. He was 85 years old.

From the guide to the Philip James Papers, 1929-1960, 1929-1936, (Mass Media and Culture)