LAUS REGIS

Composer: William E. Fischer

Born: October 6, 1849, Berlin, Germany. Died: August 10, 1936, Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Fischer was a graduate of Pennsylvania College (BA 1872) and Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (1875). Ordained in 1875, he served at Center Hall until 1893, when he accepted a call to be pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, where he remained the rest of his life. He served as secretary and member of the hymn book committee of the Lutheran General Synod, and member of the hymnbook committee of the United Lutheran Church (1929-31). He also represented the Susquehanna Synod, and was a director at Gettysburg Seminary. His works include: Book of Worship with Hymns and Tunes (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:… Go to person page >

Composer: William E. Fischer

In his youth, William G. Fischer (b. Baltimore, MD, 1835; d. Philadelphia, PA, 1912) developed an interest in music while attending singing schools. His career included working in the book bindery of J. B. Lippencott Publishing Company, teaching music at Girard College, and co-owning a piano business and music store–all in Philadelphia. Fischer eventually became a popular director of music at revival meetings and choral festivals. In 1876 he conducted a thousand-voice choir at the Dwight L. Moody/Ira D. Sankey revival meeting in Philadelphia. Fischer composed some two hundred tunes for Sunday school hymns and gospel songs. Bert Polman Go to person page >