Hope College - Milestone Yearbook (Holland, MI)

Page 12 text:

WILFRED CURTIS SNOW (1894 — 1935) On old year's evening, December 31, 1935, at five o’clock there passed away at Simpson Memorial Institute at Ann Arbor, Professor Wilfred Curtis Snow, head of the organ department at Hope College. Though little hope had been held for his recovery, his death came as a distinct shock to faculty and students, and to townspeople. Mr. Snow, who was forty-one years of age at the time of his death, is survived by his wife, Esther MacFarlanc Snow, formerly of Sioux City. Iowa, and four children, Murray 13, Robert 11, and Jean and Janet 9. Born in Norwich, Massachusetts, September 25, 1894, Mr. Snow was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Snow. At an early age he began to show his taste for music. When only 1 5, he was given the position of assistant organist of Grace Episcopal Church in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Mr. Snow's continued study of the best that his Boston teachers, Dudley Warner Pinch and Albert W. Snow, could give him resulted in his coming to the middle West where wider fields awaited him. For nine years he capably filled the position of organist and choirmaster in St. Thomas Church, Sioux City, Iowa. In 1922, he was appointed to be head of the music department at Morningside College, Sioux City, which position he retained till 1929- Coming to Hope in the latter year to assume work as chapel organist and head of the organ department in the school of music. Mr. Snow immediately impressed faculty and students with his masterful handling of the beautiful new Skinner organ. He immedi- ately set to work to make chapel programs varied and interesting with special music. He organized the chapel choir, now numbering approximately 75 voices, to sing at the morning services. Up to the time of his death, he was its director and guiding influence. On Mr. Snow's arrival there was only one chapel organ but the increasing number of organ students was the cause of his adding two more. Mr. Snow's organ recitals during examination periods and at other times will always be remembered by the students as delightful periods of relaxation. Two years ago, Mr. Snow took over the Hope band, and procured new uniforms. Thus was created Hope's first marching band, with a constantly growing membership. Aside from his college activities. Mr. Snow was also a civic leader in musical lines. Under his able directorship, the Holland Civic Chorus developed greatly. Mr. Snow was the originator of the plan which this year caused the Hope Chapel Choir and the Civic Chorus to combine to form the Choral Union of Holland. Last year at Christ- mas time, this chorus, numbering 180 voices, presented Handel's Messiah” in the Memorial Chapel. As organist and choir director of Hope Church, Mr. Snow did much for that congregation in a musical way. Mr. Snow's constant purpose was to bring before the students and the public the leading musicians in the country. Several times he presented Handel's Messiah” and also Mendelssohn's Elijah. Five years ago a Hope College Men's Glee Club made a tour of the East under Mr. Snow’s direction. The tour included a visit to Washington and a personal interview with President Hoover. Mr. Snow gave freely of his talents both to the college and to outside organizations. His untimely death was an irreparable loss to Hope and to the city of Holland.