 Joseph John Daynes LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 1, p.746-747
Daynes, Joseph John, organist of the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, for many years, was born April 2, 1851, in Norwich, England, son of John Daynes and Eliza Miller. Sanctified (as was said of another) "from his mother's knee," he has been an indefatigable worker from near the beginning of his life, and most likely before, for at the age of eighteen months, Joseph J. Daynes first gave evidence of inspirational instinct by expressions of delight on hearing both singing and instrumental music. His father (by profession a watchmaker) was allied with a glee club in his native town, and the family possessed a piano, which implied at that time culture and respectability. When Joseph was four years of age, both the little family and some visitors were surprised to hear him play that old familiar English ballad called, "The Ratcatcher's Daughter;" and his progress was so remarkable that before six years of age his precocious ability was in requisition for both concerts and special entertainments, even beyond the neighborhood of his birth. In 1862 the Daynes family, father, mother and two children, emigrated to Utah, the lad being then about eleven years of age and quite small of stature. A friend of the family writes: "Our first memory of the father and son was seeing the little fellow, apparently about seven, running alongside his father, who carried, by a strap across his shoulder, the little harmonium, which we first heard with surprise at Pettit's, on the Jordan river, near Salt Lake City, then later in the writer's home, and still later (1869) at the funeral services of a beloved wife, where Joseph J. accompanied on the piano those songs which are spoken of to-day as the most striking and effective of experiences then or since. Prior to this, about 1863 or 1864, the writer had brought from the east for his own Ward an organ, the first in any chapel of Utah; and the boy, then living with his parents in that Ward (the Twentieth) naturally came to the front as its manipulator, and, of course, an increased choir, under the father, enhanced wonderfully the services of the then favored Ward." When Pres. Brigham Young, some time after their arrival, suggested to Brother Daynes the training of his son by Professor Raymond, the latter concluded that it would become him better to be the pupil rather than the teacher. In March, 1867, the organ donated by the Saints in Australia was ready for use, having been set up by Elder Joseph H. Ridges in the Old Tabernacle, in Salt Lake City, he having been dispatched from that continent on purpose. Joseph J. Daynes was appointed organist; and he continued in that service until the next or big tabernacle was completed and its mammoth organ ready for use, when he accepted appointment to this more responsible yet developing position. For about thirty-three years he labored incessantly in his vocation under such choir leaders as Professors George Careless, Charles J. Thomas, Thos. C. Griggs and Evan Stephens, until from the necessities of increasing business he reluctantly resigned. The professor's attention was not exclusively confined to this arduous position with its routine of practices, recitals, Sabbath services and concerts, but in the Twentieth Ward his services [p.747] were especially felt. As a composer of musical pieces in many moods, Professor Daynes stands high in the community. His anthem, "The Nations Bow to Satan's Thrall," (words by Elder John Nicholson), was produced in 1884, and for the Temple dedication in 1893, he created that grand composition, "Let all Israel Sing," which was afterward sent abroad as one of the representative pieces for chorus work from Utah. "The Psalmody" bears record to his prolific pen and brain, as about one-fifth of its musical contents are his compositions. To this must be added much secular and instrumental music for organ, piano and orchestral work. The marches performed at the funeral of Pres. Brigham Young and Pres. Wilford Woodruff were of his composition, and were very effective, and favorably if sadly received. It was said of the immortal Milton that he considered his "Paradise Regained" as far ahead of the wonderful "Paradise Lost." Professor Daynes, while accepting the general verdict of his associates in the "divine art," has a similar feeling himself. He wrote the hymn tune "Cecil" (page 104 of the Psalmody) almost without concern or pride, but later found it to be among the most popular of his productions; and the whole Church is familiar with that choice tune of his to those inspiring words written by our too little heard Sister Emily Woodmansee, "Providence is over all." Professor Daynes was married in 1872 to Miss Jennie Sharp, daughter of Joseph Sharp and niece of Bishop John Sharp. He is the father of five living children and two who died in childhood. His oldest son, now twenty-eight years of age, is married to a daughter of President Wilford Woodruff. Professor Daynes' name is as familiar abroad as at home. For many years the free public organ recitals at the Tabernacle, begun while he was organist, have been enjoyed by tens of thousands of tourists visiting Utah. Elder J. J. McClellan, who now presides at this grand instrument, will, doubtless, enhance the memory of his predecessor while establishing his own fame and the renown and enterprise of the "Mormon" Church and people. Brother Daynes has, in his new location (Sugar Ward, near Salt Lake City) been induced to manipulate the organ and to lead the Ward choir.—N. |
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