William M. Felton

A Rising Composer with a Fine Melodic Gift

William M. Felton was born in the city of Philadelphia and educated in the public schools, graduating from the Central High School. His father was a talented musician and a well known performer upon the concertina, playing lengthy selections for Wagner, Verdi, Gounod, etc., from memory.

As a child Mr. Felton commenced making little tunes so that at the age of five he attracted the attention of musical people. He was placed under the instruction of William C. Schwartz in pianoforte, and H. A. Matthews and Henry Houseley in harmony and composition.

After spending some time as the musical director of one of the largest photo play houses in the United States he resolved to devote all of his time to musical composition.

Although still a young man he has some fifty compositions to his credit, many of the most successful being for pianoforte.

It is a source of gratification to be able to state that Mr. Felton is distinctively a native product, his entire musical education having been obtained in this country and most of it in his home city. The days have departed, evidently , when it is necessary for American students to flock to Europe either for lecture or atmosphere. Mr. Felton's musical inspiration is entirely sane an dwell balanced, without any foolish striving toward ultra-modernism. consequently, his work may be expected to grow and develop upon rational lines. His melodies are pleasing and with a natural appeal, and his harmonies are tasteful and well diversified. Among his larger works we may point especially to the Concert Polonaise and Second Waltz Caprice. Among the smaller characteristic pieces, Twilight in Autumn, Blowing Bubbles and Sunday Morn have met with favor. Of pieces in lighter vein may be mentioned his successful marches, The Color Guard and Passing Parade. The Wedding Procession, which is published both for two and four hands, is well worthy of displacing some of the older and more conventional marches used for the same purpose.

The Etude Magazine February 1921