Florence Margaret Spencer Palmer facts for kids

Florence Margaret Spencer Palmer (born July 27, 1900 – died March 29, 1987) was a talented British composer. She wrote many beautiful hymns and even a special textbook to help people learn to play the piano. Sometimes, she published her music using the name Peggy Spencer Palmer.

Florence was the youngest of seven children. She was born in a place called Thornbury, in England. When she was young, she learned at home until she was 10 years old. After that, she went to school for five years. She loved music and went on to study at the famous Royal Academy of Music. She also earned a special music degree from the University of London. Some of her important teachers were Sir Ivor Atkins and Benjamin Dale.

What Did Florence Spencer Palmer Do?

Florence Spencer Palmer worked as an accompanist, which means she played the piano for singers or other musicians. She also worked as a secretary for Mrs. Catherine Booth-Clibborn, whose father, William Booth, started the Salvation Army.

Later, Florence became a music teacher at several schools:

• From 1929 to 1947, she taught at Clarendon School in Malvern.
• From 1948 to 1958, she taught at Redlands High School in Bristol.
• From 1959 to 1961, she taught at St. Brandon's School in Clevedon.

Awards and Achievements

Florence Spencer Palmer was recognized for her musical talents. In 1923, she won the Chappell Medal, a special award for music. She also won the Horatio Albert Lumb award for her hymns and anthems (which are like short songs for choirs).

Florence was a member of the Church of England, and many of her compositions were included in the Anglican Hymn Book. She also helped arrange music by other composers, like a collection of songs called Wings by Amy Carmichael. Her music was published by well-known companies like Ascherberg Hopwood & Crew and Cramer & Co.

Florence Spencer Palmer's Music

Florence Spencer Palmer wrote many different kinds of music. Here are some of her published works:

Books and Piano Music

• Book:
  • Simplified Sight Reading: This book was probably her piano textbook, helping students learn to read music more easily.
• Piano Pieces:
  • A Pianist's Book of Chimes
  • Burlesque
  • Three Festive Pieces
  • Variations on Barbara Allen: This means she took the old folk song "Barbara Allen" and wrote different versions of it.

Vocal Music and Hymns

Florence Spencer Palmer wrote many pieces for voices, especially hymns.

• "Brynland"
• "Duplock"
• "Ellasgarth"
• "Except the Lord Build the House": This was a motet (a type of choral song) with words from Psalm 127 in the Bible.
• "Gate of the Year”: The words for this song came from a poem by Minnie Louise Haskins.
• "Like as a Father": The words for this song came from Psalm 103 in the Bible.
• "Nativity"
• "O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go": The words for this hymn were written by George Matheson.