Frederick C. Maker (b. Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, 1844; d. Bristol, 1927) composed INVITATION for this text. Also known as COME TO THE SAVIOR, the tune was published in the Bristol Tune Book (1881), edited by Alfred Stone and others. Well matched to the text, INVITATION begins gently but involves more dramatic melodic gestures in its final half. Sing in parts, perhaps unaccompanied.
Maker received his early musical training as a chorister at Bristol Cathedral. He pursued a career as organist and choirmaster-most of it spent in Methodist and Congregational churches in Bristol. His longest tenure was at Redland Park Congregational Church, where he was organist from 1882-1910. Maker also conducted the Bristol Free Church Choir Association and was a long-time visiting professor of music at Clifton College. He wrote hymn tunes, anthems, and a cantata, Moses in the Bulrushes.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988
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