Owen A. Hatch Collection

Owen A. Hatch studied music at the Eastman School of Music and later at the University of Buffalo. Hatch taught music in the Niagara Falls Public schools for 40 years before his retirement in 1966. He finished his teaching career at the North Junior High School. He commented after his retirement that he began to compose music at about age 15. While teaching in Niagara Falls he wrote several anthems, including "Child Jesus", a prize-winning "Hymn to New York State" (1945), and an operetta, "Jamie Freel". He continued his composing career after retiring to North Carolina.