Clifford Demarest
| Clifford Demarest | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Clifford Demarest August 12, 1874 Tenafly, New Jersey |
| Died | May 13, 1946 (aged 71) Tenafly, New Jersey |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Composer, organist |
| Spouse(s) | Josephine Maugham Annie Maugham |
| Children | Josephine Demarest Kathryn Demarest Beaumont Demarest |
Clifford Demarest (August 12, 1874 – May 13, 1946) was an American composer. He wrote a number of anthems, songs, and part-songs, as well as some pieces for piano and for organ. He was early leader of the American Guild of Organists, and from 1911 until his death he served as organist at Church of the Messiah (New York City).
Clifford Demarest was born in Tenafly, New Jersey, which remained his home for his entire life. His father, a successful businessman, ran a general store; his mother was a capable musician who played the organ at the local Presbyterian Church. Demarest learned music first from her, later studying with the organist R. Huntington Woodman at the Metropolitan College of Music, New York. On October 12, 1898, Demarest married Josephine Maugham (b. 1873); the couple had three children before Josephine died in 1912. Demarest then married Annie Maugham, Josephine’s twin sister; Annie died in 1934.
In 1901 Demarest was appointed organist and choir director at the Reformed Church on the Heights, Brooklyn. The following year he passed the examination to become a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists, and he played a central role in that organization for two decades. For ten years he also dabbled in business ventures with members of his family; but in 1911 he became organist at the Church of the Messiah, New York, and thereafter concentrated solely on music. The minister, John Haynes Holmes, was a progressive reformer and pacifist who became a close personal friend and who helped shape Demarest’s interest in education, reform, and musical communities. From about 1915 Demarest began playing recitals and touring on behalf of the A. G. O. In 1919 fire destroyed the Church of the Messiah, and Demarest became music supervisor at Tenafly High School. He returned to be organist at the church after it was rebuilt, but he also continued teaching until 1937. He played at the church until his death.
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