Joseph Kemp (organist)

Joseph Kemp (1778–1824) was an English musical composer, organist and teacher. He is noted as an early proponent of teaching music in classes and the playing of exercises by students. In 1810, at the Russell Institution Kemp began a series of lectures on musical education in which he advocated the teaching of music in classes and the playing of exercises by pupils in concert. On account of failing health he returned with his wife and family to his native city, and resided there until 1824, with the interruption of a visit to France in 1818–21. He had founded a musical college at Exeter in 1814. A journey to London in April 1824 proved too fatiguing for Kemp, then in a weak state of health, and he died in his lodgings on 22 May. He had married in 1805, and left at his death his widow, two sons, and one daughter. Works Kemp published two pedagogical works: # Upwards of 100 cards, containing more than 500 points in music, connected with the new system of musical education (1810–19) # The new system of musical education, being a self instructor and serviceable companion to music masters (c. 1821) His compositions include: # Op. I., twelve songs, London, 1799, which show some originalit