Person Sheet
NameProf. Clement A. Marks
Birth31 May 1864, Lower Macungie Twp, PA
Death23 Oct 1912
FatherAmandus Marks
MotherAnna Maria Meyer (1843-1881)
Misc. Notes
Prof. Clement A. Marks, Mus. D., son of Amandus, late of Allentown, was born in Lower Macungie Township, near Emaus. Pa., May 31, 1864, receiving his education in the public schools and the preparatory school of Muhlenberg College. His interest in music was manifested in early boyhood. He became organist of the Lutheran and reformed church at Emaus, at the age of fourteen years, and later he was organist of the Moravian Church, at the same place.
He began his musical studies with the late Prof. C. F. Hermann. which he continued for six years. Subsequently he studied under the noted instructor, Dr. Gilcherist, of Philadelphia. In 1886 he was called as organist of Zion's Reformed church, Allentown: and in 1891 assumed a similar position of St. John's Lutheran church, Allentown, which he held at the time of death, Oct. 23, 1912. Shortly alter coming to Allentown, Prof. Marks organized the euterpean Male Octette, the success of which led to the formation of the Euteipean Club, consisting of forty male voices, in 1887. Six years later the name was changed to the Euperpean Club Oratorio Society, composed of upwards of two hundred mixed voices. Under Prof. Mark's leadership this society attained a prominence which has placed it among the foremost Oratorio Societies of the state and it has had incalculable influence in fostering and advancing the musical tastes of the community. In 1909 Muhlenberg College conferred the degree of "Doctor of Music." In this institution he also filled the chair of Professor of Music. He was also president of the State Music Teacher's Association, secretary of the Committee on Church Music of the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as well as one of the principal members having in charge and producing the revised Sunday school book for the Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Philadelphia Crocket Club, which was made up of prominent musicians of Philadelphia, and the surrounding districts. It was truthfully said at his death. "as teacher, conductor, and promoter of musical events of a classical nature, Clement A. Marks stood unrivaled in a community where love of music is strong and where real musical ability is not rare." He was prominently identified with all the various Masonic bodies and had been the High Priest of Allen Chapter. Dr. Marks was married to Kate M. Kemmerer, a daughter of Charles Kennnerer, from which union were born Harold K and G. Donald, a senior of Muhlenberg College.
He began his musical studies with the late Prof. C. F. Hermann. which he continued for six years. Subsequently he studied under the noted instructor, Dr. Gilcherist, of Philadelphia. In 1886 he was called as organist of Zion's Reformed church, Allentown: and in 1891 assumed a similar position of St. John's Lutheran church, Allentown, which he held at the time of death, Oct. 23, 1912. Shortly alter coming to Allentown, Prof. Marks organized the euterpean Male Octette, the success of which led to the formation of the Euteipean Club, consisting of forty male voices, in 1887. Six years later the name was changed to the Euperpean Club Oratorio Society, composed of upwards of two hundred mixed voices. Under Prof. Mark's leadership this society attained a prominence which has placed it among the foremost Oratorio Societies of the state and it has had incalculable influence in fostering and advancing the musical tastes of the community. In 1909 Muhlenberg College conferred the degree of "Doctor of Music." In this institution he also filled the chair of Professor of Music. He was also president of the State Music Teacher's Association, secretary of the Committee on Church Music of the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as well as one of the principal members having in charge and producing the revised Sunday school book for the Lutheran Church, and was a member of the Philadelphia Crocket Club, which was made up of prominent musicians of Philadelphia, and the surrounding districts. It was truthfully said at his death. "as teacher, conductor, and promoter of musical events of a classical nature, Clement A. Marks stood unrivaled in a community where love of music is strong and where real musical ability is not rare." He was prominently identified with all the various Masonic bodies and had been the High Priest of Allen Chapter. Dr. Marks was married to Kate M. Kemmerer, a daughter of Charles Kennnerer, from which union were born Harold K and G. Donald, a senior of Muhlenberg College.