Easter Joy

Elmer Samuel Hosmer (21 March 1862 — 25 April 1945) was an American composer. A native of Massachusetts, he studied with E. G. Whiting, J. C. D. Parker and Percy Goetschius, and wrote a good deal of church music. He also composed a number of cantatas, including one about Christopher Columbus (Columbus: A Short Cantata for Men's Voices) and one after "The Man Without a Country". He set a poem by Clara Hapgood Nash, "Mother", to music as a song.

He was an organist in Boston, as well as several other states, and taught music at the Rhode Island College of Education in Providence, for some years starting in 1924.

"Easter Joy" was published by Theodore Presser in 1926. It is essentially a march in A-B-A form with an extended "coda" for the grandiose conclusion. However in this case, the "coda" is a massively reharmonized setting of the famous Easter hymn, "Jesus Christ is risen today." The elaborated setting could be used as an accompaniment for the hymn itself (with some moderations), but it's probably a little too involved to play at the tempo that most congregations would sing the tune at.

Since I'm sure that the Hereford Willis is much grander than any of the organs that Hosmer played, I "filled out" the final measures, giving the massive chords their full impact.

The piece is another "child of its time" to be sure, but it is solid and makes for a fine result.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Elmer S. Hosmer.

For two other fine pieces by the composer, please give a listen to these two uploads:

"Christmas Offertory"

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/43515

AND

"March of the Wise Men"

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/43806