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History -- William H. Barnes

Biographical Sketch

Obituary

Biographical Sketch of William Harrison Barnes

MR. BARNES is a native of Chicago. He received his early education in that city and Evanston and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Harvard University where he studied under the Dean of the New England Conservatory, Wallace Goodrich.

At the age of ten he began his piano studies. Two years later he added organ study, which became his chief interest in life. By the time he was fifteen he had completed the building of an organ of usual church size in his father's home, which is today part of the large instrument in his own home in Evanston. Organists from all over the world have been to hear and play on it. He has gradually acquired by study and practice a very thorough knowledge of organ building, especially concentrating on acoustics and tonal effect.

Keeping pace with the wonderful advance in the art of organ building, Mr. Barnes last year visited the finest organs abroad. This practical knowledge has been given to many churches when planning their organs, in all, over forty churches in this country are glad to claim him as their organ architect.

Mr. Barnes has been active in all music in Chicago. He was President of the Chicago Artists Association for two years, a member of Pro Musica, active in the National Association of Organists, and also the American Guild of Organists, having played the opening recital June 12, 1928, at their general convention in Detroit.

His knowledge of organs is also made available to the public in his department "The Organ" in the" American Organist" and another similar department in the "Music Magazine."

At seventeen he was organist at the Church of the Ascension, Chicago; then for twelve years at Epworth M. E. Church, Edgewater. He planned and helped install a fine organ at the Wilmette Baptist Church where he was organist for four years. Since last April he has been at the First Baptist Church of Evanston as director and organist. Under his direction they have installed an outstanding organ, which will add to his reputation as a designer.

Music is his avocation, although it has been his greatest joy and through it he has given the benefit of his experience to many thousands.

c. 1930
Lake Street Church
Evanston, IL

Obituary of William Harrison Barnes

William Harrison Barnes. who at age 15 built a church-size tracker pipe organ, beginning a 86-year career designing organs for schools and churches, died Saturday in Evanston Hospital. He was 87.

The First Baptist Church organ, one of more than 400 which he designed, was played Wednesday at his funeral service at the church.

At dedications of his designs, Mr. Barnes, - an organ recitalist, would play and give a talk explaining the organ "so that people would understand what they bought," said his daughter, Christine Nelson. He wrote books on organs, organ building and church musicians, including "Contemporary American Organ" which is in its ninth edition.

He donated pipe organs and volunteered his design experience to schools and churches. He donated and redesigned the organ in the Evanston Township High School auditorium.

In addition to his long career as an organ architect and recita1ist, Mr. Barnes was a printing executive. He was president of A.R. Barnes and Co., Chicago, first president of the Master Printers of America, and founder of the Chicago School of Printing and Lithography, which teaches over 1,000 graphic arts students yearly.

He was a member of the board of directors and executive committee chairman of the First Bank Evanston, a trustee of National College of Education where he received three honorary doctorates, a member of the Evanston YMCA board of directors, the Rotary Club of Evanston, Northwestern University's John Evans Club.

Mr. Barnes, of 14218 Chicago Av., was born in Chicago, was graduated from ETHS in 1910 and from Harvard University in 1914. In his early years he lived at 1620 Hudson Av. and later at 1510 Forest Av.

Edith, his first wife, to whom he was married 43 years, died in 1970.

His wife, Catherine, survives him, as do daughter, Christine Nelson of Tucson, Az; a son, Dudley Robinson of Evanston; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Burial was in Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago.

Evanston Review
16 OCT 1980
Evanston, IL

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