George Washington and Music

by Gail Smith

Download the music

We celebrate President's day this month. George Washington was born on February 22nd. Music was important to our first president. George Washington often played duets with his daughter, Nellie, shown in the picture at the piano. She took lessons from Alexander Reinagle.

Alexander Reinagle (1756-1809) came to America in 1786. After staying a few months in New York he moved to Philadelphia and began teaching piano and harpsichord lessons. Reinagle was a composer and he often performed in concerts.

The song "Chorus" was published late in 1789 and is the first music to have been composed for a President of the United States. The song was performed for George Washington during his inaugural journey. He enjoyed the song so much that he expressed his gratitude as follows:

"General Washington cannot leave this place, without expressing his acknowledgements to the matrons and young ladies, who received him in so novel and grateful a manner at the triumphal arch in Trenton, for the exquisite sensation he experienced in the affecting moment. The astonishing contrast between his former and actual situation at the same spot; the elegant taste with which it was adorned for the present occasion; and the innocent appearance of the white-robed choir who met him with the gratulatory song - have made such an impression on his remembrance, as, he assures them, can never be effaced."

"Chorus" was composed by Alexander Reinagle. It was the first song ever composed for a President of the United States.

This song wouldn't be the last song composed for George Washington. When he made a tour of New England in October of 1789, original music was composed for him by Oliver Holden. The music was performed at the State House and sung by the independent Musical Society. Music composed by Francis Hopkinson was dedicated to George Washington. Hans Gram composed "Ode to the President of the United States". George Washington received many other musical tributes, including a laud composed by S. Holyoke which was published in a magazine in September 1790.

Music is the right accompaniment for any occasion. "Hail to the Chief" is the song we are now accustomed to hearing at the arrival of the President, but it was Alexander Reinagle who composed the first song for our first President of the United States, George Washington.

Madison's March is a very nice easy piano solo composed by Alexander Reinagle.

Two other popular marches for Washington, supposedly of Revolutionary origin, are seen here in a publicatuion that appeared sometime between 1798 and 1811.