David McK. Williams

Short Name: David McK. Williams
Full Name: Williams, David McK. (David McKinley), 1887-1978
Birth Year: 1887
Death Year: 1978

David McKinley Williams (Conductor)

Born: February 20, 1887 - Carnarvonshire, Wales, UK
Died: March 13, 1978 - Oakland, California, USA

The Welsh-born American church musician, composer, and teacher, David McKinley Williams, began his career in church music as a chorister in the choir of the Cathedral of St. John, Denver. At the age of 13 he became the organist of St. Peter's Church, Denver.

In 1908 David McKinley Williams went to New York to serve as the organist of Grace Church Chapel. He moved to Paris in 1911 for study with some of the best known French organists of the time. Upon his return, he served as organist of the Church of the Holy Communion in New York. He served in the Royal Canadian Artillery in World War I and returned to his New York position in 1920. After only six months, he was appointed organist and choirmaster of St. Bartholomew's Church, New York. He held this position until his retirement in 1947.

David McKinley Williams developed one of the most outstanding music programs in the USA at St. Bartholomew's. He was head of the organ department of the Juilliard School of Music and a member of the faculty of the School of Sacred Music, Union Theological Seminary. He also served as a member of the Joint Commission on Church Music and the Joint Commission on the Revision of the Hymnal that produced The Hymnal (1940). The Hymnal 1982 uses five of his tunes, including MALABAR used with "Strengthen for Service" (Hymn 312), CANTICUM REFECTIONIS, used with "This is the hour of banquet and of song" (Hymn 316), and GEORGETOWN, used with "They cast their nets in Galilee" (Hymn 661).

Source: The Episcopal Church - Liturgy Music Website


Tunes by David McK. Williams (14)sort descendingAsInstancesIncipit
ADORATION (Williams)David McK. Williams (Composer)353332 12222 33321
ANNUNCIATION (Dutch)David McK. Williams (Harmonizer)355112 34321 75556
CANTICUM REFECTIONISDavid McKinley Williams, 1887-1978 (Composer)415653 43223
CHRISTUS REX (Williams)David McKinley Williams, 1887-1978 (Composer)313517 65665 54365
CORONATION (Holden)David McK. Williams, 1887- (Descant)251133 21232 13212
DUKE STREETDavid McKinley Williams (Composer (desc.))313456 71765 55565
GEORGETOWN (Williams)David McK. Williams (Composer)651343 23166 71231
LASST UNS ERFREUENDavid McK. Williams (Composer (Descant))111231 34511 23134
MALABARDavid McK. Williams (Composer)554366 55117 65355
NICAEADavid McKinley Williams, 1887-1978 (Composer (desc.))1311335 56666 53555
NON NOBIS DOMINEDavid McK. Williams (Composer)211117 11123 45343
ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S (Williams)David McKinley Williams, 1887-1978 (Composer)451176 53536 65511
SWANEE (Williams)David McK. Williams (b. 1887) (Composer)2
[The Sabbath it was by]David McK. Williams (Composer)215343 21164 54325
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us