Donald S. Marsh › Hymnals

Donald Stuart Marsh USA 1923-2010. Born at Akron, OH, he spent his early years in Singapore and Sumatra, Indonesia, where his father was an accountant for rubber plantations. He attended Western Maryland College, Westminster, MD (now McDaniel College). He then attended the U of Houston, TX, and received Masters degrees in music, art, and drama. For 17 years he was involved with theatre, concert, and TV work in NYC as actor, choreographer, teacher, and pianist. For three decades he served at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Jervis (FPCPJ), along with pastor, Richard K Avery, his friend and partner for 50 years. As an ordained elder, he directed 75+ plays and musicals, and conducted three choirs. With pastor Avery, the two wrote and published 150+ songs. They formed Proclamation Productions to publish their works. Later, Hope Publishing handled their sales. Don spent his retirement years at Santa Fe, NM, with his friend, Avery. He died at Santa Fe, never having married. His record is staggering. He directed two full productions each year; created the church’s High Tea concerts; and for years, wrote a new musical to be performed at the annual Thanksgiving weekend Holiday Fair. All this in addition to directing the choirs for Sunday services. He was head of the ‘Presby Players’ there, and is believed to be the longest-running director of a church arts group in America. Proclamation Publications collections of works include: ‘Hymns Hot and Carols Cool’ (1967); ‘More, More, More’ (1970); ‘Songs For the Search’ (1970; ‘Alive and Singing’ (1971); ‘Songs For Easter People’ (1972); three volumes of ‘Hymns and Carols’ (1974-1979); and ‘Songs For Special Occasions’ (1980).

John Perry