Ruth Barrett Phelps

Ruth Barrett Phelps (October 21, 1899 - August 30, 1980) was an American organist whose career included both theatre organ and church performance.

Ruth was born on October 21, 1899 in Albany, New York.[1] She was a pupil of Lynnwood Farnam.[2]

In 1926 she was a resident organist at the Colony Theatre in New York City.[3] She moved to the Cameo Theatre in 1928.[3] While in New York she performed concerts of classical music at Aeolian Hall.[3]

She married Laurence I. Phelps, an organ builder, and from this point on performed as Ruth Barrett Phelps.[3][4] She became the principal organist at The First Church of Christ, Scientist by 1950, the Aeolian-Skinner organ installed during her tenure was designed by her husband.[4][5][6] As a result, she became one of Boston's prominent musicians, and made recordings and national radio broadcasts from the church.[7][8] She was dean of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Guild of Organists.[6] In addition to the church work she gave concerts of classical music.[9]

Ruth Barrett Phelps died on August 30, 1980 in San Mateo, California.[1]

References
  1. "Additional Dates and Information". A Directory of Composers for Organ. John Henderson.
  2. Hawke, H. William (December 16, 2013). "Lynnwood Farnam". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
  3. Landon, John W. (January 1985). "Biographical Dictionary of Theatre Organists". Theatre Organ. 27 (1): 40. ISSN 0040-5531.
  4. Barnes, William Harrison; Gammons, Edward B. (1970). Two Centuries of American Organ Building. J. Fischer & Bro. p. 111. OCLC 856647447.
  5. "Obituaries: Lawrence Phelps". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. April 9, 1999. p. B7 – via newspapers.com.
  6. "Church Organists of the Nation Want Better Pay". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, Vermont. June 24, 1950. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
  7. Koontz, Jonathan (November 27, 1955). "Local Man Makes Good at 78". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. p. 29 – via newspapers.com.
  8. "Radio Highlights". The Miami News. Miami, Florida. November 28, 1960. p. 5B – via newspapers.com.
  9. "Music This Week". Boston Globe. June 2, 1968. p. A-25 – via newspapers.com.
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