The New International Encyclopædia/Surette, Thomas Whitney

SURETTE, so͞o-rĕt′, Thomas Whitney (1862—). An American organist and composer. He was born in Concord, Mass., and studied music under Arthur Foote and J. K. Paine. In 1883 he became organist in his native town, and in 1894-96 was organist and choirmaster of Christ Church, Baltimore. In 1896 he became interested in the University Extension movement, and devoted most of his time to lecturing under its auspices on musical subjects. He also lectured on music at the University of the State of New York, Albany; at Oxford University, England; and at Mill Hill Abbey, London. As a composer he became known by his operetta Priscilla (1899), which has been frequently performed. In the same year he produced in Pittsburg a romantic opera named Cascabel, and also set Keats's Eve of Saint Agnes as a dramatic ballad.