A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Upham, Baxter

UPHAM, J. Baxter, M.D., a citizen of Boston, U.S.A., where he has for long occupied a prominent position in the musical life of the city. He was for nearly thirty consecutive years (1855–1884) president of the Music Hall Association, and it was largely through his personal exertions that the great organ, built by Walcker of Ludwigsburg, was procured for the hall. Before concluding the contract for the organ, Dr. Upham consulted the most notable builders in Europe, as well as with organists and scientific authorities, and personally inspected the most famous organs in the Old World, with the view of securing an instrument that should be in all respects a masterpiece.^[1] For 10 years (1860 to 1870) Dr. Upham was president of the Handel and Haydn Society, and it fell to him to prepare and deliver the historical sketch of the society at its bicentenary festival in May, 1865. For 15 years (1857–1872) he officiated as chairman of the Committee on Music in the public schools of the city, and through his active supervision the system of music-training in Boston acquired much of its thoroughness. [See United States.]

[ F. H. J. ]

1. The organ was sold and taken down in the summer of 1884, and stored awaiting the erection of a new concert hall, for which it was bought.