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He was a hymn writer, lyricist, translator, music
director and author born in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In 1950 he established the World Library of Sacred
Music in Cincinnati, which also became known as World Library
Publications. Five years later
the company became the publisher of the nationally popular The
People’s Hymnal and it was soon being used nationally in many of
the Catholic churches.
Over the course of his career he
wrote/re-wrote/translated the text to many hymns such as “A Mighty
Fortress is Our God”, “Praise God in This Holy Dwelling”
and “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” and “Sing Out
Your Praise”. In 1964 he
wrote a set of words to the popular Welsh tune “The Ash Grove”
which became the hymn “Sent Forth by God’s
Blessing”.
In 1971 his company was sold to the J.S. Paluch
Company but he carried on with his work and was the music director for a
Franciscan Choir on the recording Latin High Mass for Nostalgic
Catholics.
As an author he wrote books such as Music Lessons
for the Man in the Pew and Order for the Solemn Exposition of the
Holy Eucharist.
Sources:
- https://www.wlp.jspaluch.com/wlp/about.asp?find_category=&find_description=&find_part_desc=
- http://www.hymnary.org/person/Westendorf_O
- http://www.gurman.org/ashgrove/
- http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/3350767
- http://www.jmjstore.org/store/Products_Detail.asp?prodno=M1067
- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0814620396/ref=cap_pdp_dp_1
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