Clarence Mader, organist, teacher, composer, and organ consultant was born in 1904 in Easton, Pennsylvania, and he died in 1971 in Laguna Hills, California. A pupil of Lynnwood Farnam, he held two prominent positions in Los Angeles, California, as organist at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, and head of the organ department at Occidental College. Former students include David and Marian Reiff Craighead, Thomas Murray, Orpha Ochse, Ladd Thomas, Virgil Fox and many others.

His service to the American Guild of Organists included California State Chairman for six years, Dean of the Los Angeles Chapter, Program Chairman for the 1962 National Convention, National Councillor, and frequent performer at national conventions, festivals, and church music workshops. Active in the choral field, he was a founder and first president of the Choral Conductors Guild of California, later known as the National Association of Church Musicians.

The compositions of Clarence Mader reflect a masterly grasp of diverse musical styles and the indispensable gift of inspiration. Vision of St. Stephen, a sacred opera first performed in 1953, and Concerto for Organ, premiered in 1968, illustrate the broad range of his compositions. The Fifth Mystery, a choral work employing serial techniques, stands as a reminder of his abilities both as poet and as composer. Considered by family, friends and colleagues to have been a true renaissance man, he painted over forty pieces of art and composed more than seventy pieces of poetry.

The Ruth and Clarence Mader Memorial Scholarship Fund

Ruth and Clarence Mader will always be an inspiration to those privileged to have known them. The Mader Fund is a response by students, colleagues, family and friends to widespread expressions of appreciation for the high ideals and artistic accomplishments of Ruth and Clarence Mader. Their creative and imaginative talents grew with the years and enriched the lives of many. A freeway accident in California in July 1971 ended the lives of these two gifted and productive people, but their inspiration and presence continue to live.

The Mader Fund sustains and enhances the field of organ music by engaging in activities that inspire and support performers, composers, and scholars, and promotes the legacy of Ruth and Clarence Mader.

Visit maderscholarshipfund.org to learn more.