# Robert Elmore

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For the basketball player, see [Robert Elmore (basketball)](/source/Robert_Elmore_(basketball)).

**Robert Hall Elmore** (January 2, 1913 – September 22, 1985)[2] was an American composer, organist, pianist who was active in Philadelphia during the mid 20th century and who wrote some organ pieces that are included in recitals today.[3]

## Early life

Robert Elmore was born on January 2, 1913, in [Ramapuram, Chennai](/source/Ramapuram,_Chennai), India where his parents were missionaries. The family relocated to [Lincoln, Nebraska](/source/Lincoln,_Nebraska) in 1918 where Elmore began studying piano at age six and organ at age nine. His first composition was written at age 11.

In 1925, the family relocated once again to [Wayne, Pennsylvania](/source/Wayne,_Pennsylvania) where Elmore was to live at 130 Walnut Avenue until his death in 1985.[citation needed] Shortly thereafter he began study with famed organist and composer [Pietro Yon](/source/Pietro_Yon) who was then organist and music director at [St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York](/source/St._Patrick's_Cathedral,_New_York). Yon was sufficiently impressed with Elmore's abilities to have referred to him as "the foremost American organist of the day".

## Professional assignments

While still in his teens Elmore was appointed organist at the Central Baptist Church, Wayne, Pennsylvania (1925–1933). He also performed as a theatre organist at the Lincoln, Bryn Mawr Seville and Anthony Wayne theaters. From 1938 to 1955 he was organist at the [Holy Trinity Church](/source/Holy_Trinity_Church_(Philadelphia)) in Philadelphia.[4] In 1955 he was appointed organist of the Central Moravian Church in [Bethlehem](/source/Bethlehem,_Pennsylvania). In 1969, Elmore accepted a call to become the music director of [Tenth Presbyterian Church](/source/Tenth_Presbyterian_Church) in Philadelphia, where he remained until his death.The influence of classical, church and theatre music merged with his natural virtuosity and a sense of the theatricality to create a uniquely personal compositional style.

## References

1. Basile, Salvatore (2010). *Fifth Avenue Favorites, the extraordinary story of Music at St. Patrick's Cathedral*. First ed. New York, New York: Fordham University Press. ISBN 978-0-8232-3187-4.

1. ["Directory of classical organists D to G"](http://www.essexorganmuseum.com/Players-Classical-D-G.html). *Essexorganmuseum.com*. Retrieved 19 December 2020.

1. ["Give 'em Elmore"](https://www.pipedreams.org/episode/2013/01/28/give-em-elmore). *Pipedreams.org*. Retrieved 19 December 2020.

1. ["Events of the Year 1955 in the Organ World in Review"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221025183738/https://www.thediapason.com/sites/thediapason/files/195601TheDiapason.pdf). *[The Diapason](/source/The_Diapason)*. **47** (2): 6. January 1, 1956. Archived from [the original](https://www.thediapason.com/sites/thediapason/files/195601TheDiapason.pdf) on October 25, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2022.

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