The Washington herald., 1909-05-31

Funeral services for Dr. John " Bis
choT. the Blind Organist Of Washing
ton, viii be held tomorrow afternoon
al 3 O'Clock at the First Congregational
Church. where he had played for the
last thirty-fve years
Dr.. Samuel W Woodrow, pastor. VIII
conduct the services. Interment viii De
in Rock Creek Cemetery
The palIbeaTers have not yet been s.
lected, but they viii be SIX young men
from the choir, and six honorary pail
bearers will be chosen from among the
congregation.
Dr.. Bischof died yesterday morning
at $50 o'clock. al his home, 3Es Four
teenth street northwest. HIS wife anf
daughter, Mrs. Lucille Chester. were at
the bedside. He had been III for aojut
three weeks with heart trouble. which
was the immediate cause Of death. Nay
g was the last Sunday he played in the
First Congregational Church. he felt
81 on that evening. and fingered az tia
organ for about twenty minutes aftsr
the services.
Found by the Pastor.
DR.. Woodrow, the pastor, found him
there, just as the janitor was about -
put out the lights. As Il he had q pre-
monition that il would be MS last time
to play. DIT. BischOT himself closed ths
organ, instead OF leaving II for the jaEi-
tor. as was his custom.
He returned home and went 70 bed,
from which he never arose. During his
illness the house was filed with foW ers
sent by many pupils and friends in
Washington.
DR.. BischofI IS survived by his wife.
Mrs Elsie Bond BlschoH, wao IS nu-
sician Of note; a daughter, Mrs Lucille
Chester. who resides IN New York. and
Ia son. John f BisehoT, OF Denver.
An industrious Musician.
The best known and probably the most
Industrious person IN washington's uu-
sical circles was Dr. J. "a. Bischof. He
had been q familiar figure in the musical
history and events of the city for more
than a quarter Of q century. He was q
teacher Of the voice. organ. piano. har-
Iaony, and a composer Of many good and
popular songs. as well as piano and organ
pieces Il IS quite safe % say that Dr.
Bischoh had q longer list OF pupils 10 bis
credit during the years OF his teaching
than any other teacher n the District
T had been necessary for many years for
him 10 keep a waiting list, which con
tained the names Of would-be pupils who
were too late 10 obtain place upon MS
schedule, and who We're anxious for the
first vacant hour at his disposal
d.. BischOn's studio was il the side
room Of the First Congregational Church,
in which church he had for thirty-fve
years been the organist and choir dlrec-
tor He had always given this church
music OF such excellence that il attracted
many worshipers. and on the occasions
Of extra music being announced there
was frequently only standing room 10 be
had Dr. BischoG vas. by The way, a
founder member Of the American Guild
OF Orgarists.
DR.. Bischo1s pupils are 20 be found IN
almost every church choir n the city as
s0lOiSJs.
Before the Public.
Dr.. BischoT was not only famous as &
vocal aad instrumental teacher. but as
an OrganIst and accompauist he could
hardly D. exceIed. HIS playing was posi-
lively inspiring He had a peculiarly
clear. crisp touch. and was very skilled
in The matter Of registration and pedal
technique.
n the last few years the burden OF
accompanying for such q large class Of
pupils had been considerably Ightened
by Dr.. BischOH-s clever and talented
wife. She Is q fine pianist as well as
singer. She did much of the playing.
particularly at the many concerts n
which the professor was interested. Her
piano accomr ranimsnJs, combined with
his organ accOnpaninents. were very ef-
fective IL the oratorios and cantatas
which his choir frequently gave during
the season
Reputation in the ~o1th.
Dr.. Bischons song nave a large repu-
tation IN ,-e south and West, as
well as in this locality. where they
were usually first sung lie did the most
Of his composing in the summer IN the
quiet and restfUlness OF his vacation on the
lake BE had a group OF six songs. each
one Of which Is dedicated 20 6 we'll
known pupil They are Sweetheart. Be
Ny Sweetheart" dedicated 70 Mrs. n
Clay Browning; Brave Is the Man" Mr..
J. Walter Humphrey; You and and
Love" Mrs. Belle Carpenter Henney;
Remember Beloved" Mrs. Shir-CIH;
Because You Love Ne" Mrs. Adelaide
Lynham Humphrey. and The Nightin-
gale Sings" Mss Edna Scott Smith
Other well-known songs are The Love
for Ne" If God 50 ClOthe the Grass.
dedicated 10 Nj Humphrey; "Oh, Cruel
Love" dedicated 10 Miss Elizabeth Stu
art: "Rerospection, She's All the
World 70 Ne" Come. Holy Spirit, Not
Half Has Ever Been Told Take Ne,
jamie. Dear Good Night. Sweet
Dreams" the last named being especially
successful. Il Is 3 song Of exquisite mel
ody. written for high soprano, but re
Gently transposed and Published for con
tralto.
Another feature Of Dr. Blschoft's work
in the musical life OF Washington was
the Bischofr course Of concerts. which
have been given each season for twenty
two years, in the Congregational Church
for the benefit OF the church