Ralph James Kneeream, Jr., 91, died November 28, 2024. Born August 20, 1933, in Reading, Pennsylvania, he went on to earn Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in French from Columbia University and a Doctor of Music degree in church music from Northwestern University. In addition he studied with Rachel Large Kooker in Reading, Pennsylvania, and Claire Coci in New York City, and he served as Searle Wright’s assistant at St. Paul’s Chapel, Columbia University. He was further mentored by Seth Bingham while at Columbia. Kneeream journeyed to France where he studied with Nadia Boulanger, Marcel Dupré, Maurice and Marie-Madeleine Duruflé, Jeanne Demessieux, and André Marchal.
In a career that spanned 75 years, he served the churches and temples as organist and choir director: First Baptist Church, Reading, Pennsylvania; Post Chapel, Sukiran, Okinawa, Japan (U.S. Army Assignment); Middle Collegiate Church, New York, New York; Fourth Presbyterian Church, Rockaway, New Jersey; First-Park Baptist Church, Plainfield, New Jersey; First United Methodist Church, Evanston, Illinois; St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton, Florida; Temple Sinai, Delray Beach, Florida; First United Methodist Church, Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and Memorial Chapel, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
He authored an article, “Contemporary American Organ Music: Our Legacy to the Future,” published in the October 1961 issue of The American Guild of Organists Quarterly. Alice Tournemire, wife of Charles Tournemire and a friend of Kneeream, invited him to translate her late husband’s book César Franck, published in France in 1931 and in English translation in the United States in 1989. Additionally, Kneeream accomplished the English translation of Marcel Dupré’s book, Marcel Dupré—raconte. . ., published in France in 1972 and published as Recollections in the United States in 1975. He also provided an English translation of Maurice Duruflé’s article, “Recollections of Vierne and Tournemire,” published in the November 1980 issue of The American Organist.
Kneeream was an educator as well, serving Columbia University as organ teacher; Middlebury College as organist to the summer French graduate school; Blair Academy as chair of the music department and French teacher; Northwestern University as French tutor for the School of Music; University of Michigan as lecturer and contributor to the International Conference on Organ Music; and at the Harid Conservatory as adjunct professor of music.
Kneeream’s cinematic experience occurred in 1964 when he contributed to the production of A Golden Prison: The Louvre, a documentary of the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. This one-of-a-kind film was narrated by Charles Boyer. The soundtrack for the movie was composed for orchestra and organ by Norman Dello Joio, with Kneeream at the organ. A Golden Prison: The Louvre was broadcast on coast-to-coast television by NBC in 1964 and was awarded both the primetime Emmy award as well as the Peabody Award.
Kneeream performed organ recitals at venues in New York City: The Riverside Church, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, St. Bartholomew’s Church, and Trinity Church. Additionally, he performed in Europe: Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (1971, 1976, and 1981) and Amiens Cathedral; St. Michael’s Church and St. Mary Magdalene Church in London; San Miniato Basilica, All Saints Church (Ognissanti), and the English (Anglican) Church, all in Florence, Italy; and the Domenico Zipoli International Festival in Prato, Italy.
Kneeream was an active member of the American Guild of Organists. In 1965 he served as sub-dean of the New York City Chapter, later as dean of the Palm Beach County Chapter, and finally as dean of the Harrisburg Chapter. In 1958 he was one of twelve participants in the AGO National Competition in Organ Playing, representing the mid-Atlantic states. Kneeream was also a member of the Organ Historical Society, the Association of Anglican Musicians, the Saint Wilfred Club of New York City, and was elected to Pi Kappa Lambda, Northwestern University Chapter, an honor society recognizing excellence in music and academics. Finally, he was a member of the Comité de soutien of the Association Maurice et Marie-Madeleine Duruflé.
Kneeream served his country with honor in the United States Army in Korea and in Okinawa. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Ribbon, and the United Nations Service Medal.
Ralph James Kneeream, Jr., is survived by his niece, Cathryn Thomas of Bernardston, Massachusetts, and his nephew Daniel Thomas of Burke, Virginia, his wife, Jenny, and their son, Matthew Thomas. Memorial contributions may be made to: ASPCA, Gift Processing Center, Post Office Box 96929, Washington D.C. 20077-7127.
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