Arens, Franz Xavier

1856-

Conductor and vocal teacher. Born in Germany, but came to America when very young. When fifteen years old, he became organist and choir- master in a small town near Cleveland, Ohio. Studied with his father and with Professor Singenberger of Milwaukee. He went to Europe and studied in Munich and at the Royal Conservatory, Dresden, taking up the organ, the piano, counterpoint, conducting and composition. He also studied vocal music with Julius Hey at Berlin. After returning to America he was professor of music at St. Canisius College at Buffalo and conducted the Cleveland Gesangyerein and The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, and was also organist in Cleveland. From 1884 to 1888, he was conductor of the orchestral concerts devoted to American composers in Dresden, Leipsic, Hamburg, Berlin, Weimar and Vienna. From 1893 to 1897, he was president of the Metropolitan School of Music of Indianapolis, Indiana, and head of the vocal department. In 1897 he removed to New York and was conductor of the New York Manuscript Society concerts in 1898. Since 1900, he has been conductor of the New York Symphony concerts, which be founded. He has composed some works for the organ; a string quartet; also songs and choruses.