Harry Eskew: b. 1936, d. 2020
His hymnary.org entry (excerpts):
Harry Eskew (1936–2020), originally from Spartanburg, South
Carolina, became interested in the stories behind hymns as a church
music student at Furman University (B. A. in Music, 1958). He carried
this interest further as a graduate student at New Orleans Baptist
Theological Seminary (Master of Sacred Music, 1960), where he wrote a
thesis on the Spartanburg shape-note singing school teacher, compiler,
and composer, William (Singing Billy) Walker (1809-1875). In his
doctoral studies in musicology at Tulane University (Ph. D. 1966)
where he studied with the renowned American music historian, Gilbert
Chase, he wrote a dissertation on “Shape-Note Hymnody in the
Shenandoah Valley, 1816–1868.”
In 1965 he joined the church music faculty of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where he was Professor of Music History and Hymnology and also part-time Music Librarian, serving a total of 36 years. He partnered with Professor Hugh T. McElrath (1921–2008) in authoring Sing with Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Hymnology (Nashville, 1980, 1995), a leading textbook ... Much of Harry Eskew's work has focused on early American folk hymnody, on gospel hymnody, and on hymnody of Baptists.
Additions:
Harry played a significant role in nurturing the William Walker Memorial
Singing, last attending in 2017.
The Harry Eskew Papers are held at Baylor University, Waco, Texas.
Special mentions at singings
- 2022: Raymond Hamrick Memorial Singing (Georgian Harmony)
- 2021: Rusk County; Newton County, Mississippi
- 2008: William Walker Memorial
Roles undertaken (and minuted)
- 2017: Georgian Harmony Anniversary Singing: prayer
- 2012: Georgian Harmony Singing (November): prayer
- 2011: Georgian Harmony First Fifth Singing: prayer
- 2008: Special Inaugural Singing from the Georgian Harmony: prayer
- 2005: William Walker Memorial: chair
- 2004: William Walker Memorial: chair, prayer
- 2002: William Walker Memorial: chair
- 2001: William Walker Memorial: chair, prayer
- 1997: William Walker Memorial: host
- 1996: William Walker Memorial: prayer
- 1995: William Walker Memorial: prayer