Aspiration

Another for the Summertime Dream Series...

Sumner Salter (1856-1944), of Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., was born June 24, 1856, in Burlington, Iowa. His father was the Rev. William Salter, D. D., descended from John Salter, mariner, from Devonshire, England, who settled in Portsmouth, H. H., about 1680; his mother was Mary Ann Mackintire, of Charleston, Mass.

He was graduated from Amherst College in 1877, a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity; president of the College Musical Association; leader of the College Glee Club; pupil of Eugene Thayer, J. K. Paine, J. C. D. Parker and George L. Osgood, in Boston, and has played in the following churches: Unitarian, Lynn; Eliot Congregational, Boston Highlands; Euclid Avenue Baptist, Cleveland; St. Paul's Episcopal, Syracuse; First Methodist, Atlanta; First Presbyterian, New York; West End Collegiate, New York, and Broadway Tabernacle, New York (1902-1905); organist of Sage Chapel, Cornell University, 1900-1902; director of music, Williams College, since 1905; conductor of the Arion Club (male voices), of Chelsea, Mass.; Cecilia Society, of Syracuse; Atlanta Musical Association, 1886-1889, giving the first performance of Handel's "Messiah" south of Mason and Dixon's line, January 7, 1887; president of New York State Music Teachers' Association, 1897-1898; warden of American Guild of Organists, 1899-1900; librarian of Manuscript Society, 1891-1896; editor "The Pianist and Organist," 1895-1898; organist at Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, 1901; Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, 1904; composer of songs, part songs, church music, etc.

"Aspiration" is defined (amongst medical definitions) as "hope" or "longing," and I think both of those suit this piece.

It was published by the Clayton F. Sumy Co. in 1922 and dedicated: "To John W. Norton."

It is "American romantic" to be sure, but still well-written and very pleasing to the ear.

The score, as well as a photo of Sumner Salter are attached below.