James Monroe Deems

James Monroe Deems (January 5, 1818 – April 18, 1901) was an American composer, music educator, and Union Army officer. During the American Civil War, he served as lieutenant colonel and was later brevetted as a brigadier general. After studying music in Dresden, he taught music at the University of Virginia and was one of the first conductors at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. He was known for writing the 1850 book Vocal Music Simplified and composing the oratorio Nebuchadnezzar.

Early life James Monroe Deems was born on January 5, 1818, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Jacob Deems. His father was the collector of the Port of Baltimore and served as the captain who commanded the 53rd Maryland Regiment during the War of 1812. His grandfather Frederick Deems was a member of the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment in the American Revolution. At 13, he became a member of the Baltimore orchestra. Starting in 1848, he became a professor of music at the University of Virginia, but resigned in 1858 to travel Europe with his family for a year. He served under General Rufus Saxton at Harper's Ferry.

Following the war, Deems taught music again and ran a music school at Fremont Avenue and Hollins Street in Baltimore. He was one of the conductors for the first season of the Peabody Institute from 1866 to 1867 and was the sole conductor from 1867 to 1868. He also wrote Nebuchadnezzar, a biblical cantata and oratorio. He wrote a book on piano, cornet, and organ methods. In 1879, he composed New and Easy Method for Parlor Organ. He also composed Reflection.

Personal life Deems married. They had three sons, J. Harry, Charles W., and Clarence.