Joseph J. Daynes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Joseph J. Daynes |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph John Daynes April 2, 1851 Norwich, England |
| Died | January 15, 1920 (aged 68) Salt Lake City, Utah, United States |
| Resting place | Salt Lake City Cemetery 40°46′38″N 111°51′29″W / 40.7772°N 111.85800°W |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Title | Organist at the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Jane Sharp |
| Parents | John and Eliza Miller Daynes |
Joseph John Daynes (born April 2, 1851 – died January 15, 1920) was a very talented musician. He became the first organist for the famous Salt Lake Tabernacle and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Joseph was born in Norwich, England. His family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and moved to Utah Territory in 1862.
Contents
A Young Musical Talent
Becoming the Tabernacle Organist
When Joseph's family arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young met them. He heard eleven-year-old Joseph playing a small organ called a melodeon. Young said, "There is our organist for the great Tabernacle organ."
This prediction came true in 1867. Joseph was sent to New York to study music. When the large organ in the Salt Lake Tabernacle was finished, Joseph became the first Tabernacle organist. He was only sixteen years old! He held this important job until 1900. Joseph also led the music for the 20th Ward Choir in Salt Lake City.
A Family of Musicians
Joseph Daynes came from a very musical family. His father, John, was a watchmaker, but he loved music as a hobby. Joseph learned to play on a piano his father bought in England. He learned very quickly, mostly by himself. By age six, he was already performing in organ recitals.
When the Daynes family moved from England to the United States, they brought several musical instruments. One of these was the melodeon that Brigham Young heard Joseph playing. Joseph used it to entertain the other pioneers during their journey.
John Daynes, Joseph's father, continued his love for music. In 1862, he started a company called Daynes Music in Salt Lake City. This music company is still in business today!
Contributions to Music
Hymns and Anthems
Joseph Daynes was a key editor for a book of hymns called the Latter-day Saints' Psalmody. He also wrote the music for many hymns used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The church's 1985 English hymn book includes five hymns with music by Daynes. An earlier version of the hymn book had 27 hymns with his music. Joseph Daynes also wrote several anthems, which are special songs often sung by choirs.
Some of the well-known hymns he composed music for include:
- "Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice"
- "Now We'll Sing with One Accord"
- "As the Dew from Heaven Distilling"
The hymn "As the Dew from Heaven Distilling" is often sung at the end of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's weekly Music and the Spoken Word broadcasts.
A Talented Accompanist
Evan Stephens was a conductor for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for many years. He worked closely with Joseph Daynes. Stephens said about Daynes: "He was, without doubt, one of the greatest organists of his time. I never heard anyone as good as him at playing along with the choir and solo singers. He was also the best at reading music on sight that I ever knew."
Personal Life
Joseph Daynes married Mary Jane Sharp on November 18, 1872, in Salt Lake City. They had seven children together.
