Chapel "In the Smokies"

Eric De Lamarter (February 18, 1880 - Lansing, Michigan, - May 17, 1953 - Orlando, Florida, USA) was an American organist, conductor, music critic, teacher, and composer. He studied organ with Fairclough in St. Paul, Middelschulte in Chicago, and Guilmant and Widor in Paris (1901-1902), and was a graduate of Albion College in Michigan (1900).

After finishing his studies, he held several organ positions in Chicago, notably with the Fourth Presbyterian Church (1914-1936). He was music critic for the Chicago Inter-Ocean (1901-1914), the Chicago Record-Herald (1905-1908), and the Chicago Tribune (1909-1910). He also taught at Olivet College (1904-1905), Chicago Musical College (1909-1910), University of Missouri, Ohio State University, and the University of Texas. Among his pupils was Leon Stein. He was a close friend and advisor to Leo Sowerby as well as a champion of Sowerby's music.

"Chapel 'In the Smokies'" is another one of those nice, "novelty pieces" which fits in nicely with my Summertime Dream series.

It was published in 1949 by M. Witmark & Sons. "The Smokies" referred to in the title is of course the great Smoky Mountain range, which run along the Tennessee–North Carolina border.

The work features three sections: the opening, featuring a sort of dialogue between the Swell Oboe and the Great Chimes, sitting over a double pedal point, a middle section using a chant-like melody for a "Lux aterna." This is played on the Swell Vox Humana and Flute celeste, which dialogue with the Choir 16' 8' & 4' strings (which do a very nice imitation of the Wanamaker organ!), and finally ended with a return to the opening section. The final phrase is taken from the "Lux aterna," played upon the Vox Humana alone.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Eric De Lamarter, and two photos of the Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, where he was organist. Also attached is a photo of the Smoky Mountains and one of a chapel which is located there.