Andrew Adgate › Texts

Andrew Adgate was one of the earliest of the musical company in Philadelphia whose influence was exerted for the improvement of sacred music. We know from the title page of his Philadelphia Harmony that in 1790 he was in company with Westcott conducting a card factory on Front Street, seven doors below Arch Street, and opposite the Bunch of Grapes Tavern.

The earliest reference to his Institute for Vocal Music appeared on a sheet dated Philadelphia, June 1, 1785. He proposed for diffusing more generally a knowledge of vocal music to teach music to persons of every denomination gratis.

He died of yellow fever in 1793.

From American writers and compilers of sacred music by Frank J. Metcalf (New York; Cincinnati: Abingdon Press, 1925)