Schmidt, John Henry (actually, Johann Heinrich)

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Schmidt, John Henry (actually, Johann Heinrich)

Schmidt, John Henry (actually, Johann Heinrich), German-American organist, singing teacher, and composer who flourished in the late 18thcentury. He lived in Radevormwald, near Düsseldorf, until 1783, when he went to the Netherlands. He was organist at the Cathedral of St. John in Schiedam (1785–90). He was active as a singing teacher and piano manufacturer in Charleston, S.C., in 1796; that same year, he settled in Philadelphia, where he became organist of St. Peter’s Church (1797); also announced concerts in Baltimore (1796) and Albany (1797). He composed a Sonata for Beginners.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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