Roth, Robert N(elson) 1928-

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ROTH, Robert N(elson) 1928-

PERSONAL: Surname rhymes with "both"; born June 28, 1928, in Somerset, PA; son of George L. (a clergyman) and Stella G. (Ruth) Roth; married Nancy Moore (an Episcopal priest), June 20, 1959; children: Christopher N., Michael F. Ethnicity: "American." Education: Franklin and Marshall College, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1950; University of Virginia, M.A., 1952; Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY, M.S.M. (magna cum laude), 1958. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Episcopalian. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, cross-country skiing.

ADDRESSES: Home—330 Morgan St., Oberlin, OH 44074-1427. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, organist at college chapel, 1946-50; organist at a Methodist church in Charlottesville, VA, 1953-54; organist and choirmaster at an Episcopal church in Mamaroneck, NY, 1956-58; Church of St. James the Less, Scarsdale, NY, organist and choirmaster, 1958-91, organist emeritus, 1991—. Teacher of organ and piano at a studio in Scarsdale, 1958-91; Free Synagogue of Westchester, organist, 1963-91, organist emeritus, 1991—. Oberlin College, affiliate scholar, 1996—. Teacher at adult education centers and elder-hostels; organist for recitals and choral concerts; conductor of a singing tour of cathedrals in England and Scotland; composer of hymns, anthems, and choral arrangements. Military service: U.S. Army, chaplain's assistant, 1955-56.

AWARDS, HONORS: Prize from Diocese of New York, 1977, for musical composition.

WRITINGS:

(With wife, Nancy L. Roth) We Sing of God (hymnal for children), Church Hymnal Corporation of the Episcopal Church, 1989.

(Editor) "Wond'rous Machine": A Literary Anthology Celebrating the Organ, Scarecrow Press (Lanham, MD), 2000.

(Music arranger) Chatter with the Angels: A Children's Songbook, Gregorian Institute of America, 2000.

Contributor to periodicals, including Living Church, Diapason, American Organist, Journal of Church Music, Opera News, and Publications of the Bibliographical Society of America.

SIDELIGHTS: Robert N. Roth told CA: "I have always had a life divided between literature and music, specifically the organ. When it came to choosing one or the other as a career, I chose the organ, but continued my involvement with literature by investigating the appearance of the organ in poetry and prose. The result was 'Wond'rous Machine': A Literary Anthology Celebrating the Organ, which contains poetry, essays, short stories, and extracts from novels in which the organ and organists play a key role."