Collection Summary
Bertha W. Edwards Collection on Hiram
Simmons 1907-1980
1919-1927
1907-1980
1919-1927
ML31.S54
Edwards, Bertha W.
27 items
1 container
1 linear foot
English
Collection material in English
Music Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Hiram Simmons (1874–1938) was a Black
composer and musician in Portsmouth, Virginia, known primarily for his gospel music.
He also worked as an educator, music publisher, and organist. The Simmons material
collected by Portsmouth librarian Bertha W. Edwards includes published music, one
photograph, and a biographical sketch.
Acquisition Information
Gift, Bertha W. Edwards, 2003.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Processing History
Music Division staff processed the Bertha W. Edwards Collection on Hiram Simmons.
Rachel McNellis coded the finding aid in 2021, assisted by Anthony Edwards.
Copyright Status
Materials from the Bertha W. Edwards Collection on Hiram Simmons are governed by the
Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable
international copyright laws.
Access and Restrictions
The Bertha W. Edwards Collection on Hiram Simmons is open to research. Researchers
are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine
whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions on using or copying materials may apply.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:
[item, date, container or reel or digital ID number], Bertha W. Edwards Collection
on Hiram Simmons, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1874
Born in Prince Anne County, Maryland
Unknown
Moved with his parents to Berkley, a town in Norfolk County,
Virginia
1899
Wrote "Heavenly Father, Hear Our Prayer"
Circa 1900
Began his music publishing company, Church Music Publishing House,
out of his home
Sold his music in person within the local community
1915
Moved to 708 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia
Employed by Ebenezer Baptist Church on Effingham Street
1916
Moved to 204 South Green Street, Portsmouth
Established himself as a composer, music teacher, and music
publisher
1919
Composed "The Story of Our Lord's Supper: An Oratorio in Vocal
Score"
1924
Two hymns published in the Baptist Standard Hymn
Book
1925 June 17
Married Susie E. Judkins, a Portsmouth school teacher (died 1942
March 16)
1938 March 12
Died at King's Daughter's Hospital in Portsmouth
1938 March 15
Funeral service at Emanuel A.M.E. Church
Buried at Mount Calvary Cemetary in Portsmouth
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of materials created by and regarding Hiram Simmons, a Black
organist, pianist, and composer who was active in Portsmouth, Virginia, in the late
nineteenth and early twentieth century. The items span the years 1907 to 1980, with
the majority dating from 1920 to 1927. The collection is organized into two series.
The [
Music
](HS01) series consists of published scores for Simmons’s gospel
hymns, anthems, and one piano solo. The [
Papers
](HS02)series contains one
photograph of Simmons and a biographical sketch that outlines his work as an
educator, music publisher, and composer.
Organization of the Bertha W. Edwards Collection on Hiram Simmons
The collection is arranged in two series:
-
[Music,
1907-1937](HS01)
-
[Papers 1919,
1980](HS02)
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Edwards, Bertha W.
Simmons, Hiram, 1874-1938, composer.
Simmons, Hiram, 1874-1938.
Subjects
Choruses, Sacred (Mixed voices) with piano.
Choruses, Sacred (Mixed voices), Unaccompanied.
Composers--United States--Biography.
Gospel music.
Oratorios--Vocal scores.
Piano music.
Form/Genre
Biographies.
Gospel music.
Oratorios.
Photographs.
Sacred music.
Scores.
Vocal scores.
Container List
1/3-27
Music, 1907-1937
1907-1937
This series consists of published music for twenty-five compositions by
Simmons. These are primarily piano-vocal or chorus scores for his gospel
music. Two works, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken
Me (1922) and O Clap Your Hands, All Ye
People (1925), are choral anthems with organ accompaniment that
have lyrics based on Biblical texts. This series also includes a spiral
bound collection of his choral works, Soul Appealing
Anthems and Sacred Selections, which was published in 1913. The
only instrumental work in this collection is his piano solo The
Afro-American Musicians: March and Two-Step (1907), which is the earliest
dated composition in the collection.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
1/3
The Afro American Musicians: March and Two
Step, 1907
1907
Score for solo piano
1/4
Dear Old School Days, 1920
1920
Chorus score
1/5
Eternal Lord, Creator, King, 1927
1927
Piano-vocal score
1/6
Heavenly Father, Bless Us To-day, 1909
1909
Chorus score
1/7
Heavenly Father, Bless Us To-day,
undated
undated
Chorus score
1/8
I Love to Hear That Voice, 1914
1914
Piano-vocal score
1/9
I'll Serve Thee Lord Jesus, 1936
1936
Piano-vocal score
1/10
Is There Joy and Peace?,
undated
undated
Chorus score
1/11
The Lord Will Provide, 1935
1935
Chorus score
1/12
My God, Why Hast
Thou Forsaken Me? ,
1922
1922
Score
1/13
O Clap Your Hands,
All Ye People,
1925
1925
Score for mixed voices
1/14
Oh, I Want to Feel My Savior, 1934
1934
Piano-vocal score
1/15
Our March Song, 1920
1920
Chorus score
1/16
Our School Song, 1920
1920
Chorus score
1/17
Sing Aloud, La, La, 1920
1920
Chorus score
1/18
Song of the Lilies, 1920
1920
Chorus score
1/19
The Song that Leads to Heaven, 1920
1920
Piano-vocal score
1/20
The Story of Our Lord's Supper, 1919
1919
Score
1/21
The Story of the Cross, 1937
1937
Piano-vocal score
1/22
Soul-Appealing
Anthems and Sacred Selections,
1913
1913
Spiral-bound collection of choral music
1/23
Sunshine, 1920
1920
Chorus score
1/24
Te Deum, undated
undated
Chorus score
1/25
There Is a Hill, Far, Far Away, 1915
1915
Piano-vocal score
1/26
Thinking of Jesus, Always, 1935
1935
Chorus score
1/27
While Thee Are Young Thee Should Enter his
Fold, undated
undated
Chorus score
1/1-2
Papers, 1919, 1980
1919, 1980
The Papers consist of a black and white photograph of Simmons and a
biographical sketch written by Alexander Davis. This document outlines
Simmons’s activities as a teacher, music publisher, organist, and composer
during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Arranged by material type.
1/1
Biographical sketch, circa
1980
circa 1980
Typescript
1/2
Photograph of Hiram Simmons, 1919
1919
25 x 20 cm, signed "Mosby, 1919"