Comments on: Advent 2009: “Bethlehem’s Song of Triumph,” B.H. Winslow, Alfred M. Durham

By: John Pack Lambert

John Pack Lambert — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:11:20 +0000

Alfred M. Durham also wrote the music for “Carry On”, also known as “Firm as the Mountains Around us”.

By: Margaret Durham Nelson

Margaret Durham Nelson — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:53:46 +0000

Alfred M. Durham was my grandfather also. I have the same memories as my cousin Morton. Grandpa Durham was one of the finest musicians and a wonderful grandfather to me. I loved going to Temple Square to visit him. I loved to sit by him on the piano and watch his beautiful fingers go over the keys. One of my favorite memories was once when he took my father and I to the Tabernacle to see an organ recital by Alexander Schreiner. Afterwards I got to sit by Brother Shreiner as he played the organ. What a thrill. I am very thankful for the wonderful musical heritage I have. Thank you for sharing this piece of music!

By: Sylvia Jutila

Sylvia Jutila — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 04:31:01 +0000

I started ushering for the Utah Symphony in 1954 when I was in high school. Alfred Durham would come to the symphony from time to time. I will always remember what a beautiful man he was, tall and thin and such beautiful white hair. His son Rishards Durham was my favorite Seminary Teacher and his great grandson Andy Durham (Morton’s son)is my son-in-law. The beginning of the article mentions two of him hymns, he has four in the hymn book–I think his most popular is Carry On.

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:43:03 +0000

Thanks for sharing these memories, Morton — it’s a great tribute to your grandfather.

By: Morton King Durham

Morton King Durham — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:39:34 +0000

Alfred Morton Durham was my grandfather, a wonderful man who I remember as quite staid, but warm and friendly, studious and humble. He visited our home in Salt Lake City every month or so. My little brother, three sisters and I had a photo taken with him at our home while standing with him in front of his beautiful old 1937 Chevrolet coupe. I often visited Grandpa Durham just inside the south gate of the Salt Lake Temple Grounds as he greeted people during his voluntary work in the information booth on the Temple grounds. He worked there well into his eighties! Grandpa was a marvelous musician, composer and administrator, having served in Salt Lake City in charge of the Salt Lake City Schools Music Department and in the Utah State Legislature for many years as well! I have always been impressed by the fact that Grandpa compiled an entire book of Pioneer Songs after visiting small towns throughout Utah, listening to and then transcribing the tunes and lyrics to dozens of songs which the old people remembered. Grandpa Durham served two Latter Day Saint Missions in the Tongan Islands during the late 1800′s. Alfred Morton Durham, whose middle name I share as my first name, will be long remembered and loved by all who knew him and by all of his family.

Morton King Durham, August 27, 2010