St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-12-26
Prof. Krumpeln and his Work.
His Musical Learning and his Outdoor
Life,

| LllCs
The Boston Globe of Dec. %, contained
an interesting article about Prof. Krum-
peln and the work he is doing at Jamaica
Plain, which was accompanied by a
picture of himself and his son. Francis
Drake Krumpeln. For the benefit of our
readers we reprint the article:
Sunday morning the members of the
Central Congregational church, Jamaica
Plain, will listen to program of Christ
mas music prepared by its organist and
choir master, Prot. Herbert John
Krumpeln.
The organist is totally blind, but not
only has he organized and drilled the
vested choir of the church, but for the
occasion has written an overture, The
Siege of jerusalem" which he will play
for the first time at the Sunday service.
Under the leadership of Prof. Krum-
peln the Central church choir has
reached high stage of efficiency and
excellence since he came to Jamaica
Plain from st. Johnsbury, only few
months ago.
Herbert John Krumpeln was born in
London of German parentage, and when
six years old removed to Edinburg. A
year later he lost the sight of one eye,
receiving a cut with a knife, and the ac-
cident later developed into an affection
which caused him the loss of the sight OF
| the other eye as well.
When he was II years old he entered
the Royal blind school at Edinburg, but
four years before he had every possible
advantage Of instruction for the blind
and showed decided taste and adapta-
| bility for music He learned to play the
organ, at first entirely by ear but later
he learned to read music under the
special system for the blind, his remarka-
BILE memory serving him as well as his
eyes could have done with the printed
scores in front of him.
At the Royal school he continued to
play, receiving instruction there in music
as we'll as in other branches, and when
he was 15 he was the sole organist for
the Institution. His first public recital
was at the Ayr town hall, and here he
played a number of his own compo-
stions for the organ.
Prof. Krumpen remained at Edinburg
until he was IS, and then, through the
influence of the Warehouses of Bradal-
bane, who was the organist of St.
Mary's cathedral, in Edinburg, he Sc
cured the position of choirmaster and
organist at the North Berwick parish
church.
He was there nine years. North Ber-
wick was fashionable center, and the
summer residence of Mr. Choate, the
American ambassador, and of Prince
Edward of Saxeweimer, both of whom
Prot. Krumpeln met personally. At the
height of the season he gave organ reel
tails at North Berwick.
In 1899 Prof Krumpeln received
degree from the Royal Academy in Lon
don, and in 1900, while on a visit to
France played at the Bologne cathedral
In 1901 he was organist at the Glasgow
exposition. Among his personal friends
were the late Sir Joseph Barnby of
Eaton, Sir Hainor, organist st. PauIs
cathedral, London, and DR.. Prendergast,
the organist of Winchester cathedral.
In 1902 he came to this country, en-
gaging as organist at the Episcopal
church at St Johnsbury, where he also
was choirmaster.
Prof. Krumpeln has been the organist
of the Central Congregational church in
Jamaica Plain since he closed his four
years connection at st. Johnsbury.
Last October he organized the vested
mixed choir at the church, which COM
prises % members, and his efforts have
met with marked success.
Each Sunday evening at the church he
gives a special organ recital on the
church instrument, which recently has
been remodeled at a cost of $4,000,
choosing from a different composer each
evening. For Christmas, in addition to
the special cantata prepared for the
holiday service, Prof Krumpeln wrote
an original overture, The Siege of
Jerusalem.
Prof Krumpeln lives at 307 Chestnut
avenue, Jamaica Plain, with his family.
comprising his wife and three children.
His wife, also a musician, aids him
materially in his work. Her husband,
not being able to see, has to transcribe
all the music which he does not already
play, his wife reading to him while he
makes copy under the Braile system
for the blind. In this manner also he
writes his compositions.
The blind musician is very active. He
goes about unattended. He says he is
conscious of the presence of moving or
stationary bodies within 10 or 20 feet,
and is fearless to go about the streets.
In st, .Johnsbury he learned to skate
on ice, and this winter will often go to
Jamaica pond to enjoy the sport. When
he skates he has someone skate a few
yards in front of him, and then follows
by the sound, assured that he will skate
into no holes.
Several years ago he was an ardent
follower of bicycling. Once he rode IA
CON Sec11tiua 11ni1eS fnlln ,,,;,,.. n e.. 1 L